Integrated Compact Broad Ka-Band Sub-Harmonic Single Sideband Up-Converter Mmic

Abstract

Abstract-Design, simulation and measurement results of the integrated compact up-converter MMICs (microwave monolithic integrated circuits) are presented and discussed. The design is performed to achieve low cost and high performance transmitter system for the Ka-band frequency applications. It is designed using antiparallel diode pair sub-harmonic single sideband mixer and three stage RF (radio frequency) amplifier. Microstrip lines and lumped elements are used together to achieve a compact chip size. The layouts of the circuits are designed with careful EM (electromagnetic) simulations to avoid inter-component couplings and effect of the microstrip bending discontinuities. The chip is operated for the wide bandwidth of the RF frequency from 22-38 GHz. Due to sub-harmonic mixing the required local oscillator frequency (LO) is reduced to half (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) to that of the RF frequency. The conversion gain of the chip is 9-15 dB and P −1 dB output power is 7-12 dBm. The single sideband and anti-parallel diode pair suppress the in-band unwanted sideband and second harmonic of the local oscillator (2LO), respectively. The suppression of sideband and 2LO signals is typically 20-35 dB and 20-30 dB, respectively. The size of the chip is as compact as 4.2 mm 2 on a 100 µm-thick GaAs substrate.

A 9-21 GHz MINIATURE MONOLITHIC IMAGE REJECT MIXER IN 0.18-μm CMOS TECHNOLOGY

“…In order to permit of image rejection with broadband performance, Hartley architecture [4] provides a more convenient solution for IRM design. Accordingly, a number of Hartleytype IRMs are proposed to suppress image signal [5][6][7][8][9]. Although the operating bandwidth of IRM is extended substantially, the larger chip dimension cannot be neglected yet.…”

Highly Integrated Miniature-Sized Single Sideband Subharmonic Ka-Band Up-Converter

“…Ka-band wireless systems have various applications in point-topoint, point-to-multipoint, very small aperture terminal (VSAT), and RADAR systems [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. At such high frequency bands, the transmitter system has been known as the most expensive part because of the incorporation of a number of MMIC chips, such as LO amplifier, LO frequency doubler, mixers, RF amplifier, and power amplifiers.…”

“…Due to number of advantages, the integrated chips become ultimate solution for the low cost and high performance transmitter systems at high frequency band. Hence, there is always great interest in reducing the size of MMIC chips [7][8][9][10]. Consequently, 3D MMIC technology was developed for the realization of highly integrated and miniaturized chips [4].…”

A 20-31 GHz HIGH IMAGE REJECTION RATIO SUBHARMONIC MIXER

“…Accordingly, a number of Hartley-type IRMs have been proposed to suppress image signal [9][10][11][12][13]. Chiou et al [10] divided and fed LO signals into two subharmonic mixers and RF signals through a 90 • hybrid system to generate 0 • and 90 • signals and then connected the IF I/Q signals to the off-chip mixer for image rejection.…”