Wide Range and Tunable Pulse Generator in CMOS 45-nm Technology for Pulse Radar Array

In multi-input multi-output (MIMO) pulse radar systems, precise pulse generation is critical for achieving high measurement resolution and detection accuracy in imaging and monitoring applications. This work presents a wide-range, tunable pulse generator for the pulse radar array system. The proposed pulse generator, based on a high-efficiency delay-locked loop (DLL) and a high-precision NOR-based edge combination scheme, offers a broad pulse-tuning range and minimal pulse-width error. Specifically, the DLL generates 41 anti-phased outputs, which are processed by the NOR gate with appropriate delay time and equal loading effects. A transmission-gate-based multiplexer selects the desired pulse without introducing systematic mismatch. Operating at a 50-MHz reference frequency, the prototype circuit achieves a wide tuning range from 142 ps to 7.04 ns (4957%). The proposed circuit demonstrates an rms jitter of 6 ps while consuming 2.8–3.2 mW from a 1 V power supply, depending on the selected pulse width.