Program Summary
Macaroni aims to develop electrically small receivers and transmitters that far exceed state-of-the-art (SoA) performance of classical antennas. In classical antenna theory, the sensitivity-bandwidth product faces a fundamental limit – known as the Wheeler-Chu limit – that prescribes maximum bandwidth efficiency according to the shape and size of the antenna. Specifically, the Wheeler-Chu limit restricts performance for classical transmitters and receivers whose antenna size is much smaller than the operating wavelength. For example, ultra-high frequency communications between satellites require antennas about 1m long; otherwise, performance degrades.
Recent advances in quantum sensors, materials science, electromagnetic shielding, lasers, resonators, cryogenic systems, and vacuum components can be leveraged to develop beyond-SoA receivers. New insights in active antenna technology, control schemes, methods of impedance matching, and strategies for volume-filling also present new opportunities for beyond-SoA transmitters. Macaroni will develop techniques that move beyond the classical Chu-limited performance, enabling best-in-class performance for transmit and receive in the electrically small regime.