Abstract
With a lot of millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) applications being issued, wideband circuits and systems have attracted much attention because of their strong applicability and versatility. In this paper, four transformer-based ultra-wideband mm-Wave circuits demonstrated in CMOS technologies are reviewed from theoretical analysis, implementation, to performance. First, we introduce a mm-Wave low-noise amplifier with transformer-based Gm-boosting and pole-tuning techniques. It achieves wide operating bandwidth, low noise figure, and good gain performance. Second, we review an injection-current-boosting technique which can significantly increase the locking range of mm-Wave injection-locked frequency triplers. Based on the injection-locked principle, we also discuss an ultra-wideband mm-Wave divider with the transformer-based high-order resonator. Finally, an E-band up-conversion mixer is presented; using the two-path transconductance stage and transformer-based load, it obtains good linearity and a large operating band.
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Yi-ming YU wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Kai KANG helped organize the manuscript. Yi-ming YU and Kai KANG revised and edited the final version.
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Yi-ming YU and Kai KANG declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61804024, 61874020, and 61771115) and the National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. 2018ZX03001008)
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Yu, Ym., Kang, K. Analysis and design of transformer-based CMOS ultra-wideband millimeter-wave circuits for wireless applications: a review. Front Inform Technol Electron Eng 21, 97–115 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1900491
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/FITEE.1900491
Key words
- CMOS
- Millimeter-wave (mm-Wave)
- Ultra-wideband
- Transformer
- Low-noise amplifier
- Injection-locked frequency tripler
- Injection-locked frequency divider
- Mixer