Silicon-Based Ultra-Wideband Beam-Forming
TL;DR: In this article, a fully integrated UWB beam-former with controllable true time delay and power gain is reported, achieving a 4-bit delay variation for a total of 64 ps of achievable group delay with 4-ps resolution, a 5-dB gain variation in 1-dB steps, and a worst case -3dB gain bandwidth of 13 GHz.
Abstract: Ultra-wideband (UWB) beam-forming, a special class of multiple-antenna systems, allows for high azimuth and depth resolutions in ranging and imaging applications. This paper reports a fully integrated UWB beam-former featuring controllable true time delay and power gain. Several system and circuit level parameters and characterization methods influencing the design and testing of UWB beam-formers are discussed. A UWB beam-former prototype for imaging applications has been fabricated with the potential to yield 20 mm of range resolution and a 7deg angular resolution from a four-element array with 10 mm element spacing. The UWB beam-former accomplishes a 4-bit delay variation for a total of 64 ps of achievable group delay with a 4-ps resolution, a 5-dB gain variation in 1-dB steps, and a worst case -3-dB gain bandwidth of 13 GHz. Overall operation is achieved by the integration of a 3-bit tapped delay trombone-type structure with a 4-ps variable delay resolution, a 1-bit, 32-ps fixed delay coplanar-type structure, and a variable-gain distributed amplifier. The prototype chip fabricated in a 0.18 mum BiCMOS SiGe process occupies 1.6 mm2 of silicon area and consumes 87.5 mW from a 2.5-V supply at the maximum gain setting of 10 dB
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: In this article, the first fully integrated 77-GHz phased-array transceiver is presented, which utilizes a local LO-path phase-shifting architecture to achieve beam steering and includes four transmit and receive elements, along with the LO frequency generation and distribution circuitry.
Abstract: Integration of mm-wave multiple-antenna systems on silicon-based processes enables complex, low-cost systems for high-frequency communication and sensing applications. In this paper, the transmitter and LO-path phase-shifting sections of the first fully integrated 77-GHz phased-array transceiver are presented. The SiGe transceiver utilizes a local LO-path phase-shifting architecture to achieve beam steering and includes four transmit and receive elements, along with the LO frequency generation and distribution circuitry. The local LO-path phase-shifting scheme enables a robust distribution network that scales well with increasing frequency and/or number of elements while providing high-resolution phase shifts. Each element of the heterodyne transmitter generates +12.5 dBm of output power at 77 GHz with a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz leading to a 4-element effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 24.5 dBm. Each on-chip PA has a maximum saturated power of +17.5 dBm at 77 GHz. The phased-array performance is measured using an internal test option and achieves 12-dB peak-to-null ratio with two transmit and receive elements active
310 citations
TL;DR: This paper presents the design of a 60 GHz phase shifter integrated with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and power amplifier (PA) in a 65 nm CMOS technology for phased array systems.
Abstract: This paper presents the design of a 60 GHz phase shifter integrated with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and power amplifier (PA) in a 65 nm CMOS technology for phased array systems. The 4-bit digitally controlled RF phase shifter is based on programmable weighted combinations of I/Q paths using digitally controlled variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). With the combination of an LNA, a phase shifter and part of a combiner, each receiver path achieves 7.2 dB noise figure, a 360° phase shift range in steps of approximately 22.5°, an average insertion gain of 12 dB at 61 GHz, a 3 dB-bandwidth of 5.5 GHz and dissipates 78 mW. Consisting of a phase shifter and a PA, one transmitter path achieves a maximum output power of higher than +8.3 dBm, a 360° phase shift range in 22.5° steps, an average insertion gain of 7.7 dB at 62 GHz, a 3 dB-bandwidth of 6.5 GHz and dissipates 168 mW.
167 citations
27 Nov 2007
TL;DR: A fully integrated CMOS ultra-wideband 4-channel timed array receiver for high-resolution imaging application and a path-sharing true time delay architecture to reduce the chip area for integrated circuits are presented.
Abstract: A fully integrated CMOS ultra-wideband 4-channel timed array receiver for high-resolution imaging application is presented. A path-sharing true time delay architecture is implemented to reduce the chip area for integrated circuits. The true time delay resolution is 15 ps and the maximum delay is 225 ps. The receiver provides 11 scan angles with almost 9 degrees of spatial resolution for an antenna spacing of 3 cm. The design bandwidth is from 1 to 15 GHz corresponding to less than 1 cm depth resolution in free space. The chip is implemented in 0.13 mum CMOS with eight metal layers, and the chip size is 3.1 mm by 3.2 mm. Measurement results for the standalone CMOS chip as well as the integrated planar antenna array and the CMOS chip are reported.
126 citations
12 Dec 2008
TL;DR: A CMOS implementation of phased-array receiver front-end, based on a widely tunable QVCO is presented, and a calibration procedure to mitigate the analog impairments imposed by the proposed implementation is demonstrated.
Abstract: The commercial potential of the 60 GHz band, in combination with the scaling of CMOS, has resulted in a lot of plain digital CMOS circuits and systems for millimeter-wave application. This work presents a 90 nm digital CMOS two-path 52 GHz phased-array receiver, based on LO phase shifting. The system uses unmatched cascading of RF building blocks and features gain selection. A QVCO with a wide tuning range of 8 GHz is demonstrated. The receiver achieves 30 dB of maximum gain and 7.1 dB of minimum noise figure per path around 52 GHz, for a low area and power consumption of respectively 0.1 mm2 and 65 mW. The presented receiver targets 60 GHz communication where beamforming is required.
123 citations
TL;DR: An easily cascadable compact g m -C all-pass filter cell for 1-2.5 GHz achieves at least 5x larger frequency range for the same relative delay variation, while keeping gain variation within 1 dB.
Abstract: At low-GHz frequencies, analog time-delay cells realized by LC delay lines or transmission lines are unpractical in CMOS, due to their large size. As an alternative, delays can be approximated by all-pass filters exploiting transconductors and capacitors (g m -C filters). This paper presents an easily cascadable compact g m -C all-pass filter cell for 1-2.5 GHz. Compared to previous g m -RC and g m -C filter cells, it achieves at least 5x larger frequency range for the same relative delay variation, while keeping gain variation within 1 dB. This paper derives design equations for the transfer function and several non-idealities. Circuit techniques to improve phase linearity and reduce delay variation over frequency, are also proposed. A 160 nm CMOS chip with maximum delay of 550 ps is demonstrated with monotonous delay steps of 13 ps (41 steps) and an RMS delay variation error of less than 10 ps over more than an octave in frequency (1-2.5 GHz). The delay per area is at least 50x more than for earlier chips. The all-pass cells are used to realize a four element timed-array receiver IC. Measurement results of the beam pattern demonstrate the wideband operation capability of the g m -RC time delay cell and timed-array IC-architecture.
115 citations
References
More filters
Book•
01 Jan 1962
TL;DR: This chapter discusses Radar Equation, MTI and Pulse Doppler Radar, and Information from Radar Signals, as well as Radar Antenna, Radar Transmitters and Radar Receiver.
Abstract: 1 An Introduction to Radar 2 The Radar Equation 3 MTI and Pulse Doppler Radar 4 Tracking Radar 5 Detection of Signals in Noise 6 Information from Radar Signals 7 Radar Clutter 8 Propogation of Radar Waves 9 The Radar Antenna 10 Radar Transmitters 11 Radar Receiver
6,010 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial overviews the state-of-the-art UWB in channel modeling, transmitters, and receivers of UWB radios, and outlines the research directions and challenges that needs to be overcome.
Abstract: Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio is a fast emerging technology with many unique attractive features that promotes major advances in wireless communications, networking, radar, imaging, and positioning systems. Research in UWB is still in its infancy stages, offering limited resources in handling the challenges facing the UWB communications. Understanding the unique properties and challenges of UWB communications as well as its application in competent signal processing techniques are vital in conquering the obstacles towards developing exciting UWB applications. UWB research and development has to cope with the challenges that limit their performance, capacity, throughput, network flexibility, implementation complexity, and cost. This tutorial focuses on UWB wireless communications at the physical layer. It overviews the state-of-the-art UWB in channel modeling, transmitters, and receivers of UWB radios, and outlines the research directions and challenges that needs to be overcome. Since a signal processing expertise is expected to have major impact in research and development of UWB systems, emphasis is placed on the DSP aspects.
1,199 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: In this article, Sarkar et al. presented an analysis of the Fourier Transform and Signal Analysis of UWB radar signals and its application in the frequency spectrum sharing and interference issues.
Abstract: Ultra-Wideband Radar Overview, J.D. Taylor Introduction Ultra-Wideband Radar Terminology and Concepts Potential Applications of UWB Radar UWB Systems Frequency Spectrum Sharing and Interference Issues Book Conclusion References Technical Issues in Ultra-Wideband Radar Systems, H.F. Engler, Jr. Introduction Fundamental Radar Principles Classification of Radar Waveforms Technical Issues in UWB Radar System Design Summary References Appendices: Signal Characteristics Governing Range and Velocity Measurement Resolution Range Accuracy Requirements for Velocity Estimation from Differential Time Delay The Concept of Nonlinearity Analytical Techniques for Ultra-Wideband Signals, M. Rangaswamy and T.K. Sarkar Preface Part 1: Fourier Analysis of Signals Introduction Information and Bandwidth Fourier Analysis of Signals Properties of the Fourier Transform Dirac-Delta Function Fourier Transform of Periodic Signals Numerical Computation of the Fourier Transform Spectral Density Times Correlation of Power Signals Power Spectral Density of Random Signals Conclusion References Part 2: Laplace Transforms and Signal Analysis Introduction Laplace Transforms Inverse Laplace Transform Properties of Laplace Transform One-Sided Laplace Transform Applications of the Two-Sided Laplace Transform Pulse Propagation in a Long Medium Conclusion References Part 3: Limitations of Time and Frequency Approaches Introduction Consideration in Performing Time-Domain Measurements Data Acquisition Processing Considerations Transformations from the Discrete to the Continuous Domain Experimental Verification Characterization of Objects in the Frequency Domain Conclusion References Transmitters Power Supply Design, D. Platts Introduction Considerations for Power Supply Design Pulsed Power Supplies Switching Techniques for Pulsed Power Supplies Conclusion References Light-Activated Semiconductor Switches for UWB Radar, O.S.F. Zucker and I.A. McIntyre Introduction The Evolution of the Requirements Digital Synthesis of UWB Signals by Sequential Switching Digital Synthesis: Experimental Results Switches and Their Limits Switch Optical Requirements Switch Choice Conclusion Acknowledgments References Ultra-Wideband Antenna Technology Introduction and Overview Antennas and UWB Signals, P.R. Foster Introduction Antenna Elements Aperture Antennas References Array Antenna Calculations in the Time Domain Using Pseudorandomly Coded Signals, J.D. Halsey Introduction Impulse Signal Design Correlating Receivers Fundamentals of Beamforming in the Time Domain Numerical Simulation Conclusions References Appendix: A Discussion of Time-Domain Field Equations Ultra-Wideband Impulse Antennas, M.G.M. Hussain Introduction Relative Bandwidth The Large-Current Radiator Field Strengths and Magnetic Flux of the Large-Current Radiator Measured Antenna Patterns References Linear Array Beam Forming with Nonsinusoidal Waves, M.G.M. Hussain Introduction Array Beamforming with Sinusoidal Waves Beamforming with Nonsinusoidal Waves Frequency Domain Array Beamforming Transfer Function and Impulse Response of Linear Array Synthesis of Antenna Array Beam Patterns Summary References Direct Radiating Systems A Basic UWB Design and Experiments: Blumlein Impulse Generator and TEM Radiator, W.C. Nunnally and R.N. Edwards Practical UWB Impulse Generators and Radiators Description of Transverse Electromagnetic Transmitter Basic Impulse Radiation Considerations Experimental Results Conclusions References Design and Analysis of an Example of NEMP Radiating Antenna, D. Giri Introduction Design and Analysis of an Example of NEMP Radiating Antenna Radiating NEMP Simulators Antenna Concepts for UWB Radar Acknowledgments References Propagation and Energy Transfer RF Propagation in the Atmosphere, R. Roussel-Dupre Introduction UWB Propagation Low-Power Propagation through a Background Plasma High-Power Propagation in Nonlinear Media References Energy Transfer through Media and Sensing of the Media, T.W. Barrett Introduction to Energy Transfer Concepts Advanced Theory of Dielectrics and Transmissions through Media Pulse Envelope Effects Soliton Waves, Group Theory, and Electromagnetic Missile Concepts References Appendices: Further Developments in Self-Induced Transparency The Nonlinear Wave Equations and Solitons Relation of U(1) and SU(2) Symmetry Groups Transmitter Signature and Target Signature of Radar Signals, H.F. Harmuth Introduction Features of Carrier-Free Radar Signals Position Coding and Large Target Signature Character Coding and Large Target Signature Conclusions References Appendix: Continuous and Transient Response of Resonant Circuits Radar Cross Section and Target Scattering, M.L. VanBlaricum Introduction Radar Cross Section The Scattering Matrix Frequency Dependence of RCS Relationships among CW, Transient, and Wideband Scattering The Singularity Expansion Formulation Resonance Based Target Identification References Ultra-Wideband Radar Receivers, J.D. Taylor and E.C. Kisenwether Introduction Narrowband and UWB Signal Receiver Concepts UWB Threshold Signal Detection Correlation Detection UWB Radar Receivers and Signal Processing References Appendices: Narrowband Receiver Sensitivity to UWB Signals Computation of Correlator Output vs. SNR High Order Signal Processing for Ultra-Wideband Radar Signals, V.Z. Marmarelis, D. Sheby, E.C. Kisenwether, and T.A. Erdley Introduction Background Methodology Experiment Results Conclusions Acknowledgments References Performance Prediction and Modeling, T.W. Barrett Introduction and Overview Theoretical Background for Time Domain Signal Processing Radar Performance Prediction Principles Comparison Analysis of Frequency Domain and Time Domain Signals Time Domain Radar Performance Prediction Rules for Time Domain Radar Performance Equation Practical Example of a Time Domain Radar System and Analysis References Appendices: Periodic, Aperiodic, and Random Signals The Gaussian Approximation: Heterodyne vs. Homodyne Reception Boundary Diffraction
498 citations
TL;DR: An overview of electronic scanned array technology with a brief introduction of the basic theory and array architectures is presented in this paper, along with current state-of-the-art, and future trends.
Abstract: An overview of electronically scanned array technology with a brief introduction of the basic theory and array architectures are presented. Implementations, current state-of-the-art, and future trends are briefly reviewed in Part II of this paper.
339 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a local oscillator phase-shifting approach is introduced to implement a fully integrated 24-GHz phased-array receiver using SiGe technology, which achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Abstract: A local-oscillator phase-shifting approach is introduced to implement a fully integrated 24-GHz phased-array receiver using SiGe technology. Sixteen phases of the local oscillator are generated in one oscillator core, resulting in a raw beam-forming accuracy of 4 bits. These phases are distributed to all eight receiving paths of the array by a symmetric network. The appropriate phase for each path is selected using high-frequency analog multiplexers. The raw beam-steering resolution of the array is better than 10deg for a forward-looking angle, while the array spatial selectivity, without any amplitude correction, is better than 20 dB. The overall gain of the array is 61 dB, while the array improves the input signal-to-noise ratio by 9 dB
241 citations