A 27-39GHz 48Gbit/s 8-Channel Phased Array Transceiver Frontend with Broadband TX/RX Co-Design Optimization

To address the continuing growing demand for Gbit/s speed and ultra-low latency wireless data, the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum, specifically the K and Ka-bands, is utilized for SATCOM, 6G Non Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and 5G New Radio (NR) frequency range 2 (FR2) networks [1]. For example, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks using 5G FR2 are gaining increasing attraction in developing countries with dense city populations and limited infrastructure supports (Fig. 1 top) [2]. To fully utilize the FR2 bands and prevent spectrum overcrowding, multi-standard/band designs [3]–[9] are essential. Unlike solutions that combine multiple narrowband frontends [10], an intrinsic wideband/multiband approach reduces the need for multiple frontends, switches, and power dividers, saving PCB area and costs. Additionally, wideband frontends enhance flexibility for various applications with a single chipset, supporting economies of scale and adaptability to uses like vehicular radar or satellite uplink terminals. Phased arrays are used to compensate for path loss at mmWave frequencies, with larger arrays typically formed by tiling smaller, repeatable arrays or beamforming ICs (BFICs) due to IC yield limitations [11]. A combined transceiver (TRX) design is preferred over separate TX and RX frontends [3], [4] for time-division duplexing (TDD) links and one single antenna array panel, which offers lower cost due to shared use of the IF and antenna interface. To balance design complexity at both the chip and package levels, each scalable IC includes multiple channels, with most recent TRXs featuring at least four [12]. This creates stricter area constraints compared to single-channel frontends [5]–[6], as individual circuit blocks must be ultra-compact and facilitate scalable layout for routing on package. High TX efficiency and low RX power are key to minimizing power density, reducing thermal management costs for large-scale arrays [11].