Single-Chip Frequency Multiplier Chains for Millimeter-Wave Signal Generation
Journal article, 2009

Two single-chip frequency multiplier chains targeting 118 and 183 GHz output frequencies are presented. The chips are fabricated in a 0.1 mu m GaAs metamorphic high electron-mobility transistor process. The D-band frequency doubler chain covers 110 to 130 GHz with peak output power of 5 dBm. The chip requires 2 dBm input power and consumes only 65 mW of dc power. The signal at the fundamental frequency is suppressed more than 25 dB compared to the desired output signal over the band of interest. The G-band frequency sextupler (x6) chain covers 155 to 195 GHz with 0 dBm peak output power and requires 6.5 dBm input power and 92.5 mW dc power. The input signal to the multiplier chain can be reduced to 4 dBm while the output power drops only by 0.5 dB. The unwanted harmonics are suppressed more than 30 dB compared to the desired signal. An additional 183 GHz power amplifier is presented to be used after the x6 frequency multiplier chain if higher output power is required. The amplifier delivers 5 dBm output power with a small-signal gain of 9 dB from 155 to 195 GHz. The impedance matching networks are realized using coupled transmission lines which is shown to be a scalable and straightforward structure to use in amplifier design. Microstrip transmission lines are used in all the designs.

silicon

monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC)

doubler

GaAs

single-chip

radar

ghz

Coupled transmission lines

frequency multiplier chain

medium power-amplifiers

hemt technology

quintupler

118 GHz

power amplifier (PA)

model

183 GHz

Author

Morteza Abbasi

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

Rumen Kozhuharov

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

Camilla Kärnfelt

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

Iltcho Angelov

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

I. Kallfass

Fraunhofer Society

A. Leuther

Fraunhofer Society

Herbert Zirath

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques

0018-9480 (ISSN) 15579670 (eISSN)

Vol. 57 12 3134-3142 5325677

Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

DOI

10.1109/TMTT.2009.2034344

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