Performance Analysis of a Nanocolumn-RTD VCO for Emerging THz Wireless Applications

Abstract

The data rates which can be processed by integrated communication systems are increasing as the CMOS process and photonic technologies scale. Emerging bandwidth-hungry applications demand new solutions based on terahertz (THz) systems. This work proposes a GaAs/AlAs nanocolumn-Resonant Tunneling Diode (Nano-RTD) device as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for frequency generation in the THz spectrum window, i.e., Y-band (325 -500 GHz). A comprehensive semianalytical approach to evaluating the performance of the Nano-RTD VCO device is developed. The latter addresses the oscillation frequency, maximum oscillation frequency, tuning range, output power, DC consumption power, and DC/AC conversion efficiency. Moreover, the oscillation stability of the designed device in the Y-band was numerically verified. Results shown that the device can operate in the Y-band (@ ∼500 GHz and 300 K), with a very-low DC power consumption down to 0.16 mW, along with a good DC/AC conversion efficiency (2.4%). The Nano-RTD VCO is compatible with current CMOS fabrication technology and has a very compact footprint (2000 nm 2 ). Finally, the device may be used as part of system solutions to satisfying emerging THz wireless applications such as in-body nano-communication, wireless nano-networks, and network-on-chip.