Integrated cm- and mm-Wave UWB Transceiver for M-Sequence-Based Sensors

An integrated, completely balanced broadband transceiver front end for operation in the cm- and mm-wave range is presented. It is compatible with our ultra-wideband M-sequence baseband system. The transceiver front end is based on the application of specific integrated circuits (ASICs) designed for a 0.25 μm SiGe process with f T/f max = 180/220 GHz. To achieve an optimum reasonable compromise between flexibility, complexity, and the system performance, we decided to design three different front-end ASICs – an up-converter, a down-converter, and a LO unit. All of them are mounted on an RF-LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramics) test board for optimal RF wiring. The final goal is to provide an integrated transceiver module which covers the whole RF part from the antennas to the IF stage. First measurement results will be shown.