Bidirectional transceiver module for 8-28 ghz phased array applications and a novel method to reduce amplitude and phase errors in variable gain amplifiers

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2767195_(Table of contents)

Next-generation communication applications utilize phased arrays with thousands of transceiver modules. The area and cost are as crucial as the performance of the transceiver module because of the large-scale integration. The technology and architecture of the module are critical and define the specifications of the sub-blocks. Each sub-block has a vital role to play and comes with its challenges. First, a novel technique is presented in this thesis to reduce the amplitude and phase errors in current steering variable gain amplifiers. This technique is implemented in a wideband variable gain amplifier using IHP 0.13 µm SiGe BiCMOS technology. It can be utilized in unidirectional transceiver architectures to control the amplitude of the signal with minimum error and high resolution. Also, low phase error, power consumption, and noise figure are achieved in a small chip area. Second, a bidirectional transceiver module operating between 8 to 28 GHz is presented. SiGe BiCMOS technology is preferred due to its high performance and integration with CMOS. The module consists of a bidirectional common chain and an RF front-end circuit. The common chain contains a true time delay, attenuator, and bidirectional amplifier, to control the amplitude and time delay of the system. The RF front-end includes a power amplifier, low noise amplifier, and single-pole double-throw switch to transmit high power and receive with low noise figure. Design and implementation of each block will be given, and the combined front-end will also be presented. Each sub-block has comparable or better performance with the state-of-the-art works in the literature.