A highly integrated up-converter MMIC is presented for low cost and high performance Ka-band transmitter module application. The multiple functions of the up-converter, such as local oscillator (LO) amplifier, single sideband subharmonic mixer, LO bandstop filter, and three-stage RF amplifier, are integrated into a single chip. A proper circuit topology for the complete integrated circuit is selected to achieve the miniature chip size. The combination of lumped and microstrip lines are used to realize the compact sub-circuits. The layout of the circuit is optimized using electromagnetic (EM) simulations. The chip is fabricated in WIN 0.15 μm PHEMT technology on 4-mil GaAs substrate with a layout area of only 2.8 mm×0.8 mm (2.24 mm2). Measured conversion gain is 12±1 dB over 28-37 GHz for the LO pumping power of 0 dBm. The sideband and 2×LO suppressions are above 20 dBc. The 1 dB gain compression output power (P-1dB) is 12 dBm. LO to RF isolation is about 35 dB.
2. Okazaki, H. and Y. Yamaguchic, "Wide-band SSB subharmonically pumped mixer MMIC," IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., Vol. 45, No. 12, 2375-2379, December 1997.
doi:10.1109/22.643847
3. Kawakami, K., M. Shimazawa, H. Ikematsu, K. Itoh, Y. Isota, and O. Ishida, "A millimeter-wave broadband monolithic even harmonic image rejection mixer," IEEE MTTs Digest, 1443-1446, 1998.
4. Nishikawa, K., K. Kamogawa, K. Inoue, K. Onodera, T. Tokumitsu, M. Tanaka, I. Toyoda, and M. Hirano, "Miniaturized millimeter-wave masterslice 3-D MMIC amplifier and mixer," IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., Vol. 47, No. 9, 1856-1862, September 1999.
doi:10.1109/22.788523
5. Fujishiro, H. I., Y. Ogawa, T. Hamada, and T. Kimura, "SSB MMIC mixer with subharmonic LO and CPW circuits for 38 GHz circuit applications," IEE Electron. Lett., Vol. 37, No. 7, 435-436, March 2001.
doi:10.1049/el:20010305
6. Lee, M. Q., S. M. Moon, K. K. Ryu, D. P. Jang, and I. B. Yom, "Subharmonically pumped image rejection mixer for K-band application," 12th GAAS Symposium, 151-154, Amsterdam, 2004.
7. Singh, P. K., S. Basu, and Y. H.Wang, "Integrated compact broad Ka-band sub-harmonic single sideband up-converter MMIC," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 8, 179-194, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIERC09060807
8. Chen, W. C., S. Y. Chen, J. H. Tsai, T. W. Huang, and H. Wang, "A 38-48-GHz miniature MMIC subharmonic mixer ," 13th GAAS Symposium, 437-440, Paris, 2005.
9. Yang, T., Z. Yang, Y. You, and C. Li, "Small size Ka-band monolithic fourth harmonic image rejection mixer," Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett., Vol. 49, No. 3, 505-507, March 2007.
doi:10.1002/mop.22186
10. Hettak, K., G. A. Morin, and M. G. Stubbs, "Size reduction of a MMIC direct up-converter at 44 GHz in multilayer CPW technology using thin-film microstrip stubs loading," IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., Vol. 54, No. 9, 3453-3461, September 2006.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2006.879769
11. Vaudescal, O., B. Lefebvre, A. M. Couturier, R. Sevin, C. Dourlens, and P. Quenlin, "A highly integrated MMIC chipset for 28 GHz LMDS application," European Microwave Conference, 1-3, October 2000.
12. Mahon, S. J., E. Convert, P. T. Beasly, A. Besseoulin, A. Fatorini, M. G. McCulloch, B. G. Lawrence, and J. T. Harvey, "Broadband integrated millimeter-wave up- and down-converter GaAs MMICs," IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., Vol. 54, No. 5, 2050-2060, May 2006.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2006.872793
13. Morkner, H., K. Fujii, K. Phan, and S. Kumar, "A complete 38 GHz transmit and receive chip set in low cost surface mount package," 4th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, 316-319, September 2006.
Submit
