Bidirectional low noise x to k band sige bicmos t/r module core chip and a novel ku band reflection type phase shifter with full 360° phase shift range

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2766862_(Table of contents)

With recent advancements in wireless communications, wideband phased array systems are in high demand. Wideband and bidirectional T/R modules allow covering multiple bands by using a single chip, reducing system cost and complexity. A wideband, bidirectional, and low noise X to K band core chip is presented in this thesis. SiGe BiCMOS technology is preferred due to its superior RF performance and integration capabilities. In the beginning, sub-blocks of the proposed wideband, bidirectional T/R module core chip are presented. TTD, attenuator, and BDA designs are discussed in detail in the common chain. Three different TTD sub-blocks are designed with 124 ps, 93.6 ps, and 29.5 ps maximum time delays. The measurement results of the first two blocks are presented. BDA and attenuator designs are also presented with simulation results. The front end of the T/R module consists of SPDT, LNA, and DPA designs which are discussed in detail. A novel inductor-less SPDT design presented with superior IL and area performance with a low power consumption cost compared to its CMOS counterparts. An ultra-wideband LNA with a low core area and excellent noise and impedance matching performance is presented. LNA also has a very high gain equal to 27 dB with only 69 mW power consumption. In the second part of this thesis, a novel Ku-band RTPS design is presented with a re-configurable mode of operations. The proposed RTPS utilizes a novel architecture to cover the complete phase shift range. The proposed RTPS design has the highest simulated fractional bandwidth among the other state-of-the-art RTPS presented in the literature, to the author’s best knowledge