CFPs: Microelectronic Front-End Module (FEM)

Deadline: 18-Sep-25

The European Commission is accepting proposals for Microelectronic – Front-End Module (FEM).

Scope

• The scope of this topic focuses on the following areas:
  • A FEM design that covers in priority the FR3 frequency range. Only in the case of integration breakthroughs for supporting various bands through a single system, FR1 and even FR2 may be considered.
  • The characterisation and operational requirements of use cases that would most appropriately benefit from FR3 operations in the wireless domain, for both cellular use cases and FWA use cases, and their comparison with implementations at FR1 or FR2 respectively.
  • The design of a complete FEM including a Digital Front End, a Radio Front End including antenna elements with the needed conversion stages and capable of handling at least 200 MHz channels. It enables high throughput/capacity fronthaul with performance capabilities close to those defined by the ITU 2030 Framework (ITU-R Recommendation M.2160-0) for peak data rates, user data rates and spectrum efficiency whilst enabling 50% energy savings of the transmission for a comparable bit rate conveyed by a 5G system.
  • Smart integration of a multiplicity of heterogeneous technologies and modules with low loss characteristics at RF, digital, power levels and related packaging, leveraging Chip JU developments as appropriate notably for ultra-high transmit power/system Core technologies needed to develop high power/ high gain/low noise transceivers together with their coupling with CMOS/digital technology and enabling SoC implementation. Optical technologies may be in scope if compatible with an efficient FEM design and implementation, and further transfer towards Chip JU Pilot lines.
  • Design supporting Integrated Communication and Sensing application and including secure ICAS specific functions at digital or RF level. It covers the implementation aspects of a combined Rx/Tx chain for JCAS with high node integration.
  • Support of downstream high level of node integration for further transfer to Pilot Lines. A plan for development up to such transfer to the relevant Pilot Line(s) is expected.
  • Evaluation of use of ML/AI for Tx/Rx for 6G performance and low cost, plus low energy consumption solutions. Analog neural networks processing technology may be considered for this domain, as appropriate.
  • Minimisation of interferences and support of efficient interference control with incumbent users of the FR3 spectrum range, notably satellites. The work will address the needed control functions and their implementation. For this particular activity, related projects under the FEM Topic, the NTN Topic and the wireless R&I work are expected to closely cooperate.
  • Implementation on SoC. Specific SoC architectures based on RISC V may be considered but should not be a mandatory requirement.

Funding Information

• Budget (EUR): 12 000 000.
• Contributions: around 12000000.

Expected Outcomes

• The main outcome of the work is a comprehensive Front End module design which:
  • Covers the FR3 range as defined by the relevant Agenda Item of WRC 27 (7 to 15 GHz range) with possible extension up to 24 GHz if required by some regional implementations.
  • Covers promising use cases with possibility to support both cellular (FR1 like) and FWA (FR2 like) scenarios.
  • Makes possible progress towards ITU IMT 2030 specifications, notably for what concerns maximum data rate, user data rate, spectral efficiency, whilst targeting 50% mobile transmission system energy consumption.
  • Is based on technologies, architectures and implementations feasibility leading to European product developments and mass markets.
  • Enables integration of heterogeneous classes of technologies, namely i) computing (e.g. CMOS, FDSOI); ii) RF (e.g. RF CMOS, RF SOI, FD-SOI, GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, InP, InP on Si, SiGeBiCMOS, SiGebipolar); iii) power generation technologies (e.g. GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, BCD, LDMOS).
  • Leverages European strongholds in the above domains and is compatible with downstream Transfer to Chip JU Pilot lines.
  • Addresses packaging.
  • Covers frequency sharing and co-existence with incumbent services, notably satellites at FR3 range.
  • Enables integration of secure sensing technologies and ISAC use-cases.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from no associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
• A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
• Entities eligible for funding:
  • To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
    • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
      • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
    • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
      • Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
    • Countries associated to Horizon Europe;
      • Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more information, visit EC.