95–105 GHz 352 mW All-Silicon Cavity-Coupled Pulsed Echo Rotational Spectroscopy System in 65 nm CMOS

Abstract

A new CMOS-based spectroscopy instrument for in situ rotational spectroscopy of gases in space is presented. The design is based on the pulsed Fourier transform method of Balle–Flygare but operates at mm-wave frequencies as oppose to traditional microwave implementations. The core of the instrument consists of a 65 nm CMOS transceiver chipset with integrated mixers, synthesizers, and amplifiers covering the 95–105 GHz frequency band. The CMOS chips are coupled with a semiconfocal cavity which builds field strength for pumping rotational transitions. Details of the CMOS chip design as well as system level testing are discussed.