Development of 60 GHz front End circuits for high data rate communication system at Chalmers University

Abstract

Front‐end circuits such as mixers, amplifiers, frequency multipliers, IF‐amplifiers with gain‐control, and VCOs are presented. Promising results on VCOs based on a coupled Colpitt VCO topology, designed in both HEMT and HBT technologies, have been achieved. A novel balanced 7 ‐ 28 GHz MMIC frequency quadrupler is described and compared with a single ended quadrupler at the same input frequencies. A 3‐stage MHEMT wideband amplifier covering 43–64 GHz with a gain of 24 dB, a minimum noise figure of 2.5 dB and ripple of 2 dB is also described. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost for future 60 GHz products, a higher integration level is necessary. Recently, a multifunctional receiver/transmitter utilizing 60 GHz amplifier, frequency converter, and x8 frequency multiplier was demonstrated based on a commercial pHEMT‐process.