About High-Int

High-Int is a Vinnova project, funded under the Smartare Elektroniksystem framework.

Wireless communications are rapidly evolving. In particular, users are demanding new services in the present networks that require of higher data transfer. The new generation of mobile communications, 5G, started to be deployed at the end of 2019. However, 5G will only cover the present needs of the users. Further research to increase the rates of wireless communications is needed now to cover the expectations in a near future. Since most of the low frequency spectrum is already crowded, the only possibility is increasing the operational frequency where narrow bands permit larger data transfer and short delays.

High-Int will enable a complementary cooperation between both Ericsson and KTH. KTH has experience in the development of innovative antenna solutions, typically fully-metallic antennas based on the concept of lenses and leaky-waves, and Ericsson AB is a leading technology-driven company in telecommunications.


Interview with Astrid Algaba-Brazalez

Astrid Algaba-Brazalez is a Research Engineer at Ericsson Research in Lindholmen. She is leading the research activities of High-Int in Ericsson in Gothenburg.

When and why did you decide to pursue a career in electromagnetics?

I decided to start my journey to the electromagnetic world while I was studying Electrical Engineering in Spain. Although I was not very interested in the courses related to physics and electromagnetics at the first half of my master, it became more attractive to me when we started interacting with topics such as antennas and microwaves. Already before I defended my master thesis I was quite sure I wanted to apply for a technical job related to electromagnetism, and by chance, I got the opportunity to pursue a PhD degree in the Antenna Group at Chalmers University in Gothenburg (Sweden). When I look back in time I realize how much fun it has been to work in this field. The main reason for this is that there are always so many different and interesting problems in electromagnetics to solve and, at the same time, so many ways and methods to deal with those problems.

What challenges are you addressing in Ericsson AB at the moment?

I am currently working in the Antenna and Microwave Hardware Unit of Ericsson Research, where one of our main challenges is to develop innovative and effective solutions for millimeter-wave antenna systems. Low cost and high manufacturability are two of the key industrial points when implementing antenna and microwave component solutions. But these key points need to find a trade-off with high performance as well, since low-loss and high directive antennas are needed at millimeter-wave applications. We should already keep in mind when we are in the early design stage that our focus is to achieve optimum antenna products that can be used to benefit our networked society.

What are your long-term goals for your career in electromagnetics at Ericsson AB?

It has been professionally and personally rewarding to work during the last 6 years in Ericsson Research, with such a great interdisciplinary, diverse and multicultural working environment. I have been involved in many types of research projects, both internal and together with external academic and industrial partners, which has given me a broaden view of what research on electromagnetics can constitute. On a long term, I see my self having a technical impact in the development of next generation communication systems (5G and beyond). I really enjoy coordinating project activities and teams, but I also want to keep learning and having a technical involvement in our research tasks by supporting my teams on design, implementation and experimental evaluation. It is lot of fun to see how the things we design really work in the lab!