1 1 LOW POWER MILLIMETER WAVE ACTIVE SIGE SUB- HARMONIC UP-CONVERSION MIXER WITH ULTRA LOW DRIVING POWER Jinna Yan Nanyang Technological University Singapore
Jan 02, 2016
11
LOW POWER MILLIMETER WAVE ACTIVE SIGE SUB-HARMONIC UP-CONVERSION MIXER WITH
ULTRA LOW DRIVING POWER
Jinna Yan
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore
22
Agenda
• Introduction
• System Architecture
• Literature Review
• Design of Up-conversion Mixer-- Schematic
-- Layout
-- Post-layout simulation results
• Conclusion
33
Introduction
• Why 60GHz? Unprecedented amount of spectrum
-- Spectral efficiency not a dominant constraint
-- 2GHz bandwidth per channel License free
-- Few regulatory specifications Small wavelength
-- Multi-antenna ideal for small form factor devices
44
Introduction-cont..
• Targeted Application:-- Wireless personal area
networks
-- Short range <10m
-- High data rate >2Gbps
• System requirements:-- Highly integrated, low cost
-- Small in size
-- Low power
55
• Sub-harmonic up conversion using sliding IF topology
• LO operating at a relatively lower frequency, alleviates the
design for synthesizer
• IF signals has a bandwidth greater than 10GHz centered at
12GHz
• LO signal bandwidth of 3.5GHz at 24GHz
System Architecture
66
Literature Review I:
Ref: A Frequency Tripler Using a Subharmonic Mixer and Fundamental Cancellation
• Topology:
-- Fully differential sub-harmonic core mixer
-- Three transistor architecture
77
Literature Review II:
• Topology:
-- Double balanced Gilbert mixer
-- mHEMT FET technology
-- Chip area 3mm X 3mm
Ref: 60 GHz MMIC double balanced Gilbert mixer in mHEMT technology with integrated RF, LO, and IF baluns
88
Schematic of Designed Up-conversion Mixer
Q1Q2 Q3Q4
C1
L1
L3
TL1
C7
C5
C6
C3
C4
L2
C2
C8
IF+
IF-
LO(180)
LO(0)
LO(90)
LO(270)
RF_BIAS
LO_BIAS LO_BIAS
RF+
RF-
TL2
Q5Q6 Q7Q8
Q1Q2 Q3Q4
C1
L1
L3
TL1
C7
C5
C6
C3
C4
L2
C2
C8
IF+
IF-
LO(180)
LO(0)
LO(90)
LO(270)
RF_BIAS
LO_BIAS LO_BIAS
RF+
RF-
TL2
Q5Q6 Q7Q8
99
Features of Designed Up-conversion Mixer
• RF output signal has a bandwidth of 11GHz
• Use of two transistor topology to reduce voltage supply
requirement
• Pesudo-differential LO core
• Designed CPW transmission lines load
1010
Schematic of Common Emitter Buffer
Q1 Q2
C1
L1
L2C3
C2
C4
IN+
IN-RF_BIAS
OUT+
OUT-
Q3TAIL_BIAS
C5
C6
Q1 Q2
C1
L1
L2C3
C2
C4
IN+
IN-RF_BIAS
OUT+
OUT-
Q3TAIL_BIAS
C5
C6
1111
Layout of Up-conversion Mixer Core & Buffer
• Process:
-- Jazz Semiconductor
-- 0.18µm SiGe BiCMOS
-- High ft of 200GHz
• Chip size: -- 0.88mm X 0.78mm
(inc. pads)DIFFERENTIAL RF
DIFFERENTIAL IF
QUADRATURE LO
BIAS
BIAS
MIXER
BUFFER
DIFFERENTIAL RF
DIFFERENTIAL IF
QUADRATURE LO
BIAS
BIAS
MIXERMIXER
BUFFERBUFFER
1212
Sparameters @ IF and LO Ports
- 30
- 20
- 10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50Frequency (GHz)
Spar
amet
ers
@ IF
Por
t
- 20
- 15
- 10
- 5
0
Spar
amet
ers
@ LO
Por
t
1313
Conversion Gain vs. LO Power
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
- 5
0
- 20 - 17 - 14 - 11 - 8 - 5LO Power @ 24 GHz (dBm)
Conv
ersi
on G
ain
(dB)
1414
Gain Flatness vs. RF Output Frequency
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 1
0
1
58 62 66 70Frequency (GHz)
Conv
ersi
on G
ain
(dB)
1515
Voltage Conversion Gain vs. IF Input Signal Power
- 12
- 8
- 4
0
- 30 - 25 - 20 - 15 - 10 - 5 0
I F Power @ 12 GHz (dBm)
Conv
ersi
on G
ain
(dB)
1616
Output Frequency Spectrum
- 140
- 100
- 60
- 20
20
20 30 40 50 60 70 80Frequency (GHz)
Spec
trum
@ R
F Po
rt (
dBm)
1717
• Power consumption (Mixer Core): 1.7mA @ 1.8V
• Max. Gain: -0.1dB
• RF output 3dB gain flatness: 59GHz ~ 70GHz
• Input referred P1dB: -12.3dBm
• LO power drive requirements: -14dBm
• Spur suppression: >20dBc
Overall Specification
1818
• A low power active sub-harmonic mixer has been designed
for the 60GHz SOC
• It provides a elegant solution to upconvert low frequency
signals without a high frequency VCO
• Features achieved include high bandwidth, high linearity and
low LO drive power levels
Conclusion
1919
Thank you
Q & A