A 37–40 GHz 6-Bits Switched-Filter Phase Shifter Using 150 nm GaN HEMT

Abstract

In this paper, we present a 6-bit phase shifter designed and fabricated using the 150 nm GaN HEMT process. The designed phase shifter operates within the n260 (37~40 GHz) band, as specified in the 5G NR standard, and employs the structure of a switched-filter phase shifter. By serially connecting six single-bit phase shifters, ranging from 180° to 5.625°, the designed phase shifter achieves a phase range of 360°. The fabricated phase shifter exhibits a minimum insertion loss of 5 dB and an RMS phase error of less than 5.36° within the 37 to 40 GHz. This phase shifter is intended for seamless integration with high-power RF circuits.

A 28 GHz GaN 6-Bit Phase Shifter MMIC with Continuous Tuning Calibration Technique

“…In terms of process technology, Refs. [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] used GaN, Ref. [ 14 ] used GaAs, and [ 13 , 15 ] used CMOS.…”

“…[ 15 ] operates at the same frequency band with this work at 28 GHz, whereas [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 13 ] operate in the X band, Ref. [ 14 ] operate at 2–4 GHz, and [ 9 , 10 ] operate in the Ka band. It should be pointed out that none of the previous GaN digital phase shifters [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] had employed a calibration technique, thus inevitably resulting in a relatively higher phase error.…”

“…[ 14 ] operate at 2–4 GHz, and [ 9 , 10 ] operate in the Ka band. It should be pointed out that none of the previous GaN digital phase shifters [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] had employed a calibration technique, thus inevitably resulting in a relatively higher phase error. Even the most recent 6-bit GaN phase shifter MMICs [ 9 , 10 ] did not employ any calibration technique, and thus the RMS phase error was a bit mediocre 4–6°.…”

“…[ 6 , 7 , 8 ] reported a 5-bit phase shifter with a 6.4° phase error, a 5-bit phase shifter with a 2.5° phase error, and a 3-bit phase shifter with a 3° phase error, all in the X band. The most recent state-of-the-art works are reported in [ 9 , 10 ]. Kim et al reported a 6-bit GaN phase shifter MMIC operating at 36–39 GHz [ 9 ].…”

A 28 GHz Highly Linear Up-Conversion Mixer for 5G Cellular Communications

“…Recently, millimeter-wave (mm-wave) transceivers have been intensively researched for multi-Gb/s data transfer with low-latency and high reliability [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. For fifth-generation (5G) cellular communications, n260 (37~40 GHz) and n257 (26.5~29.5 GHz) mm-wave bands are allocated for 5G applications [9][10][11]. Transceiver systems [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] have successfully demonstrated 5G cellular communications using mm-wave bands.…”