Abstract
All promising applications of sub-terahertz (sub-THz) and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) systems, from molecular spectroscopy with absolute spectral specificity, high-resolution imaging and sensing, and ultra-high-speed communications, require the design of frequency-stabilized signal generators. In this paper, we review the recent progress made in UNIC group at the University of Michigan, to implement stabilized-frequency signal generators at sub-THz frequencies. First, we report a coherent imaging transceiver at 319-323 GHz, which utilizes a conventional phase-locked loop technique for frequency locking. It achieves radiated power of 2 mW with the total DC power consumption of 605 mW. To eliminate the frequency divider and off-chip reference in the PLL loop, we report another work based on the new idea of on-chip frequency stabilization feedback. It is a 308-317 GHz frequency stabilized high-output-power radiating array with peak-radiated power of 4.6 mW and total DC power consumption of 1.18 W. All of the above circuits are fabricated using 130 nm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 2020 IEEE 20th Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems, SiRF 2020 |
Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. |
Pages | 30-34 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781728121291 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
Name | 2020 IEEE 20th Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems, SiRF 2020 |
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Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020 IEEE.
Keywords
- Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)
- SiGe BiCMOS
- frequency divider
- frequency stabilization
- off-chip reference
- signal source
- sub-terahertz and millimeter-wave
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Networks and Communications
- Hardware and Architecture
- Signal Processing
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials