Agilent Technologies Inc. and the University of California, Davis, announced they will establish the Davis Millimeter Wave Research Centre (DMRC). The DMRC will focus on advancing technology in millimeter wave and THz systems for radar, imaging systems, sensors, communications and integrated passive devices found in electromagnetic metamaterials and antennae.

The DMRC is vertically integrated, with research involving devices, integrated circuits, packaging, metamaterials and defected ground integrated passives, imaging systems, THz vacuum electronics, THz micro-machined devices, non-linear modelling, nanomaterials and wireless implantable devices.

These devices and systems are found in commercial products such as medical imaging systems, security scanners, gigabit wireless communications devices and sensors, as well as defence usages such as radar and active denial systems.

The first aim of the new centre is to establish a core test facility with measurement capabilities that include Agilent non-linear vector network and spectrum analysis test equipment up to 325 GHz. These facilities will support gigabit wireless communications at 60 GHz and 80 GHz, as well as the imaging, radar and active denial systems to 325 GHz.

“In launching the DMRC, our goal is to become a premier millimeter-wave research centre nationally and internationally,” said Linda P B Katehi, chancellor of UC Davis. “With this new facility, UC Davis will be able to expand the research, and recruit outstanding graduate students and faculty.”

“Agilent is delighted to support UC Davis' research into millimeter wave technology,” said Gregg Peters, vice president of Agilent's Component Test Division. “Millimeter wave implementation has broad industry impact, and our many first-to-market test solutions are ideal tools for revealing the information critical to their work.”

The DMRC is an industry-university cooperative research programme. It is broadly focused on fostering millimeter wave technology for wireless communications, radar, sensing, and imaging systems. The activities in the DMRC involve devices, integrated circuits, components, packaging, subsystems and system implementation.

UC Davis is engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world.

Agilent Technologies Inc. is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications.