A 24–29.5-GHz Scalable 2 × 2 I-Q TX/RX Chipset With Streamlined IF Interfaces for DBF Systems

This paper proposes a 24-29.5 GHz <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) front-end chipset with streamlined intermediate frequency (IF) interfaces for digital beamforming (DBF) systems. An ultra-compact 90° coupler employing a three-dimensional (3-D) coupling structure achieves a 70% reduction in size compared to typical Lange couplers while maintaining excellent performance. This 3-D 90° coupler enables the synthesis/distribution of IF I-Q signals within the transceiver (TRX), enhancing the feasibility of mmWave DBF by reducing the demand for baseband channels and facilitating scalability for multi-beam arrays. To ensure a low-level error vector magnitude (EVM) in the TRX, the chipset employs joint package design for optimal power and noise performance. It utilizes an image-reject mixer to suppress RX image noise and introduces a DC-offset in the single-sideband up-converter for LO leakage regulation. Additionally, a frequency doubler chain is incorporated to enhance phase noise performance. Fabricated using 0.13-<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>m SiGe BiCMOS technology and packaged in WLCSP process, the TX achieves an average output 1-dB compression point (<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$OP_{1dB}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of 20 dBm per channel. The RX chip features a minimum noise figure (NF) of 3.4 dB. Over-the-air (OTA) measurements conducted over a 1.1-m distance reveal a transmission data rate of up to 8 Gb/s using 16-QAM modulation at 25 GHz. Furthermore, when employing a 400-MHz 64-QAM 5G New Radio (NR) modulation, the system maintains EVM levels below -33 dB at 25 GHz and below -30 dB over 24-29.5 GHz.