D-band CMOS multi-channel beamforming receiver IC for MIMO radar

Abstract

Sub-tera Hertz frequency bands and technologies have re-ceived keen attention for future 6G generation communica-tions and sensings. The available wide bandwidth allows us to have high data rates and high resolutions. The D-band fre-quencies of 110-170 GHz are thought to have many applica-tions in near future . It is expected that these can be readily implemented with advanced RF CMOS technologies, which provide the advantages of high-level integration and low cost. The integrated receiver block requires good RF performances of low noise figure and high gain as well as high linearity and low power consumption. However, as the frequency increases, the transconductance (MAG) of the transistor decreases rapidly. Therefore, various gain boosting techniques with positive feedbacks have to be introduced to design an amplifier with reasonable number of stages. A 1-channel receiver beamforming IC composed of a phase shifter, Low noise amplifier, mixer and frequency multiplier and a 4-channel and 8-channel receiver beamforming IC implemented. A radar system test module is implemented to verify the 8-channel beamforming IC and its performance is verified through free space mesurement setup.