The Wireless Interfaces Thrust undertakes basic and applied research in wireless interfaces for environmental and biomedical sensor devices. The thrust is exploring CMOS and RF MEMS circuits, miniature antennas and sensor networking. Full systems incorporating these components are being developed and demonstrated. The wireless thrust is developing wireless interfaces to neural probes, cochlear implants, and other biomedical devices such as arterial stent monitors. The thrust is exploring techniques for moderate range, moderate rate, wireless communication to environmental sensors. Wireless circuits based on RF MEMS and nanometer CMOS are being researched. The demonstration of low-power CMOS radios for the Zigbee 2.4GHz sensor network standard is a medium term goal.

RF MEMS promises dramatic improvements in power efficiency of RF circuits. RF MEMS harnesses the high-Q of micromechanical devices. The performance of RF MEMS devices is now close to that of off-chip quartz components. The Wireless Interface Thrust is also exploring circuit and process techniques that will permit the integration of RF MEMS and CMOS wireless circuits, as well as signal processing and miniature antennas.