General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DRT-25-0638
Direction
DRT
Thesis topic details
Category
Technological challenges
Thesis topics
Integrated System for Adaptive Antenna Tuning and Synthesized Impedance in the Sub-6 GHz Band for Next-Generation RF Systems.
Contract
Thèse
Job description
The growing adoption of sub-6 GHz RF systems for 5G, IoT, and wearable technologies has created a critical demand for compact, efficient, and adaptive solutions to enhance energy transfer, mitigate environmental detuning effects, and enable advanced sensing capabilities. This thesis proposes an innovative system-on-chip (SoC) that integrates an Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) and a Synthesized Impedance Module (SIM) to address these challenges. By combining in-situ impedance measurement and dynamic re-adaptation, the system resolves a key limitation of miniature antennas—their extreme sensitivity to environmental perturbations, such as proximity to the human body or metal surfaces. Moreover, the integration of a Synthesized Impedance Module brings additional versatility by enabling the emulation of complex loads. This capability not only optimizes energy transfer but also allows for advanced functionality, such as material characterization and environmental sensing around the antenna.
A central focus of this research is the co-integration of a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) with a broadband post-matching network (PMN) and a Synthesized Impedance Module. This combined architecture provides real-time impedance monitoring, dynamic tuning, and the generation of specific impedance profiles critical for characterizing the antenna's response under various scenarios. Guaranteed operation in the 100 MHz–6 GHz band is achieved while maintaining low power consumption through efficient duty cycling.
. Profile Sought : are you passionate about electronics and microelectronics and eager to contribute to a major technological breakthrough? We are looking for a motivated and curious candidate with the following qualifications:
. Education
Graduate of an engineering school or holder of a master’s degree in electronics or microelectronics.
Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of transistor technologies (CMOS, Bipolar, GaN…).
Expertise in analog/RF design.
Experience with design tools such as ADS and/or Cadence.
Programming
Basic skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
Additional Experience
Prior experience in integrated circuit design would be a valuable asset.
. Why Apply: you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies in an innovative and collaborative research environment. You will be guided by renowned experts in the field to tackle exciting scientific and technical challenges.
Contacts: PhD. Ghita Yaakoubi Khbiza: ghita.yaakoubikhbiza@cea.fr, HDR. Serge Bories: serge.bories@cea.fr
University / doctoral school
Electronique, Electrotechnique, Automatique, Traitement du Signal (EEATS)
Grenoble INP
Thesis topic location
Site
Grenoble
Requester
Position start date
01/09/2025
Person to be contacted by the applicant
YAAKOUBI KHBIZA Ghita
ghita.yaakoubikhbiza@cea.fr
CEA
DRT/DSYS/STSF/LAIR
CEA/GRENOBLE
DSYS/STSF/LAIR
17 rue des Martyrs
38054 Grenoble CEDEX 9
04.38.78.54.73
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
BORIES Serge
serge.bories@cea.fr
CEA
DRT/DSYS/STSF/LAPCI
CEA/GRENOBLE 17 rue des Martyrs
38054 Grenoble CEDEX 9
04 38 78 18 63
En savoir plus
https://www.linkedin.com/in/serge-bories-6149004/
https://www.leti-cea.com/cea-tech/leti/english/Pages/Applied-Research/Facilities/Integration-Platform.aspx
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghita-yaakoubi/