Absolute mm-wave power sensor using a switching quad output stage

This work focuses on the implementation of a thermistor-based power sensor for an operating frequency around 77GHz in a 0.35 m bipolar technology. As the sensor concept is based on DC substitution, absolute rms power levels can be derived which makes the sensor suitable for built-in self-test and calibration purposes. The error between the sensor results and a radio frequency reference measurement is as small as 0.5 dB for power levels larger than −5 dBm.

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