60-GHz Millimeter-Wave Identification Reader on 90-nm CMOS and LTCC

Abstract

A reader module at 60 GHz for high data-rate short-range backscattering-based communications is presented. The reader consists of a CMOS-based oscillator, amplifiers, and a mixer on a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The filter, power splitter, and antennas are directly patterned on the LTCC. All millimeter-wave components are contained within the module and the only interfaces to the module are the IF and bias lines. Transmit power of the module is +11.6-dBm effective isotropic radiated power with an IF bandwidth of 400 MHz. The LTCC module measures 13 24 mm 2 and has a dc power consumption of 130 mW. Reception of a 20-MHz square wave from a tag 5 cm apart from the reader is demonstrated; the suggested millimeter-wave identification concept enables a 10 2 -10 3 -fold data-rate increase in comparison to the present near-field communication technique, with similar size, range, and power consumption of the reader. Index Terms-Backscattering modulation, CMOS, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), millimeter-wave identification (MMID), monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC), RF identification (RFID), 60 GHz.

LTCC-based monolithic system-in-package (SiP) module for millimeter-wave applications

“…LTCC‐based SiP technology integrating RFICs and passive devices is one of the best candidates for mm‐wave radio system integration due to its low‐loss substrate, high‐quality metallization (Ag), three‐dimensional (3D) stacking capability, similar temperature coefficient of expansion (TCE) value to RFICs, and cost effectiveness. For the past two decades, highly integrated LTCC modules involving passive circuits and mm‐wave radio chips have been developed . But most research efforts have been mainly an integration of antennas and performance improvement .…”

“…For the past two decades, highly integrated LTCC modules involving passive circuits and mm‐wave radio chips have been developed . But most research efforts have been mainly an integration of antennas and performance improvement . Moreover, some outdoor applications require integration of bulky components such as array antenna, nonplanar filters, waveguides, and connectors because of high‐gain and high‐power specifications.…”

Using Optimized Eccentricity Rexolite Lens for Electrical Beam Steering With Integrated Aperture Coupled Patch Array

“…The feed antennas, the switches, and other needed components can be integrated in one package using low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology, e.g., [3,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…The LTCC packaging and integrated circuits are widely used at 60 GHz, e.g., [21][22][23][24]. LTCC has been used at W-band 77-110 GHz [3,[25][26][27], and up to 150 GHz [28], proving that LTCC technology offers cost-effective solutions also above 60 GHz.…”

Design of an analog frontend for a 5.8 GHz RFID transponder

“…Nevertheless, emerging RFID applications cover frequency bands that are far away from 1 GHz, as they offer advantages regarding data rates and tag dimensions. Recent publications [1,2] even utilize the 60 GHz Industry, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band.…”