A 1.42-mm² 0.45–0.49 THz Monostatic FMCW Radar Transceiver in 90-nm SiGe BiCMOS

Abstract

Terahertz frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radars operating close to and beyond fmax often use gain-enhancing lenses to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A compact single-chip transceiver benefits a lot from the alignment of the lens to the single on-chip antenna in a monostatic system. The typically required coupler for monostatic operation adds an insertion loss. The proposed multiply-by-24 frequency multiplier-based FMCW radar transceiver removes the coupler and integrates both the final 0.48-THz doubler and subharmonic downconverter into a single common collector push-push doubler. The common emitter is the only port at 0.48 THz in this monostatic system, feeding the top-metal on-chip patch antenna using a direct via stack. The 1.42-mm 2 monostatic FMCW radar transceiver, manufactured in a 90-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology with an fT/fmax of 300/480 GHz consumes 85 mA when connected to a 3.3-V supply. At 0.48 THz, the output power is −12 dBm and the single-sideband noise figure is measured as 36.3 dB. FMCW radar measurements with operating bandwidths of up to 55 GHz, corresponding to a theoretical range resolution of 2.73 mm are performed using an on-board frequency source of a credit card-sized demonstrator.

A 335–407-GHz SiGe-Based Subharmonic Mixer Using a Fully Integrated LO Generation

“…COMPARISON After characterizing the mixer, we compare it with SiGebased mixers found in the literature, focusing on those above 300 GHz and below 500 GHz for better comparability. Selected mixers below 300 GHz can be found in [19], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], and [43], and those above 500 GHz can be found in [18] and [44].…”

A 360 GHz Fully Integrated Differential Signal Source With 106.7 GHz Continuous Tuning Range in 90 nm SiGe:C BiCMOS

“…To generate an output signal at frequencies above the transit frequency of the used semiconductor technology, push-push frequency doublers are commonly used [12], [19], [39]. This architecture of frequency doubler can generate output Fig.…”

“…In the last years, complex systems in the THz frequency range, such as THz transceivers and radar systems, have been presented [10], [11]. Even highly integrated frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar transceivers with operation frequencies of nearly 0.5 THz have been demonstrated in the latest research [12], [13].…”

“…One of the challenges in these circuits is the generation of high-quality signal sources for these THz systems. A common approach to this problem is the utilization of external signal sources and frequency multiplication [5], [12], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23]. This concept is also used for fully integrated signal sources, which often use an approach of fundamental signal generation and frequency multiplication for a compromise between output power and phase noise [24], [25], [26].…”

A Submillimeter-Wave FMCW Pulse-Doppler Radar to Characterize the Dynamics of Particle Clouds

“…These systems use ranging to produce 3D static images and are not using pulse-Doppler processing [15]. FMCW radars using MMIC-transceivers based on SiGe technology have been demonstrated in the millimeter wave region [16], including promising performance up to 480 GHz [17]. Still, submillimeter-wave transceivers, with a high dynamic range at room temperature, require diode technology [18], [19].…”