A 194 GHz Three-Stage Differential Driver Amplifier Utilizing a Three-Element Embedded Core at Near-fmax Frequencies in 65 nm CMOS

Abstract

In this letter, we introduce a 194 GHz threestage differential driver amplifier operating at near-fmax frequencies. To address practical considerations associated with implementing on-chip embedding elements within the sub-THz frequency range, we employ a three-element embedded core consisting of three types of embedding networks. This design approach offers greater flexibility in selecting the required embedding elements. Based on the proposed embedded core, a three-stage drive amplifier is implemented in 65 nm CMOS process. The measurement results indicate that the proposed amplifier exhibits a smallsignal gain of 20.4 dB, a Psat of -2.1 dBm, and a peak PAE of 2.2% at 194 GHz.