M2P Project – Act of Commitment and Objectives

Project co-funded by the European Union

On 1 June 2018, the act of commitment for the M2P Project, a project developed under the umbrella of the KETs call, was signed. The project involved a collaboration between Alma Sistemi and the Department of Engineering at the University of Rome Tre. The signing took place at the offices of Lazio Innova, in via dell’Ambaradam, Rome.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Telecommunications are of fundamental importance to the modern world. Increasingly, antenna systems are required to support multifrequency operation, signal integrity, high resolution, multiple irradiation lobes, directional control and reconfigurability.

High-gain antennas are essential for long-range communication, such as that used by geostationary satellites.

In the space sector, the constraints imposed by the payload are particularly strict, especially in terms of weight, size and power consumption.

The M2P project aims to develop a method for producing advanced materials for use in telecommunications and navigation. These materials must ensure high gain, but also offer outstanding reconfigurability and strong resistance to jamming and spoofing.

In recent years, two technological areas have revolutionised the field of electromagnetic control:

• Meta-materials, which display physical properties beyond those of conventional materials

• Plasma, with electromagnetic characteristics that can be controlled through external parameters

By combining the dynamic properties of plasma with the structural potential of meta-materials, the M2P project seeks to create a material solution that meets the evolving demands of space systems and mission operations. This includes exploring reconfigurable structures not currently available on the global market.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Development of a plasma meta-material prototype, including the design and creation of a single meta-material surface unit for effective plasma generation, experimental characterisation of the individual cell and full prototype, and material development based on engineering requirements.

Simulation of the meta-material, with improvement and validation of the simulation software already in use, development of a plasma cell for electromagnetic control and full system simulation.

Verification and validation of the prototype, including planning and execution of tests in the necessary frequency bands, electromagnetic characterisation of the surface, calibration of the simulation software and analysis of test results.

The project has identified that, both in Italy and in Europe, there are currently no structured pre-industrialisation efforts in this field. This gives M2P a pioneering role and confirms its alignment with the goals of the KETs call.

M2P introduces a hybrid approach that brings together meta-materials and plasma physics, placing the team behind the project among the first groups in Europe working in this innovative area.

The project forms part of the RSI strategy to advance technologies for telecommunications by using new high-performance materials.

It complements other initiatives already underway, such as PATH, PALADIN and STARLET, as well as extensive research on meta-materials.