Low phase noise MMIC VCOs for Ka-band applications with improved GaInP/GaAs-HBT technology

We report on the technology and performance of fully monolithic coplanar voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with GaInP/GaAs-HBTs as the active devices. With our optimized HBT process, the parasitic base resistance R/sub B/ and extrinsic base-collector capacitance C/sub EX/ are significantly reduced. In this way, the maximum frequency of oscillation F/sub max/ is increased from 100 to 170 GHz. This allows us to realize fundamental 38 GHz-VCOs with very low phase noise. At an oscillation frequency F/sub res/=34.2/spl plusmn/0.2 GHz, the VCO reaches phase noise levels of -87 dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz and -108 dBc/Hz @ 1 MHz offset frequency, respectively. To our knowledge, these phase noise values are the lowest GaAs data for Ka-band applications reported so far.

[1]  C.A.T. Salama,et al.  20-GHz InP-HBT voltage-controlled oscillator with wide tuning range , 2001, 2001 IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) Symposium (IEEE Cat. No.01CH37173).

[2]  R. Weigel,et al.  Fast and accurate ramp generation with a PLL-stabilized 24-GHz SiGe VCO for FMCW and FSCW applications , 2003, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2003.

[3]  H. Schumacher,et al.  16 GHz Integrated Oscillator Design with Active Elements in a Production Ready SiGe HBT MMIC Technology , 2000, 2000 30th European Microwave Conference.

[4]  H.J. Siweris,et al.  Monolithic 38 GHz coplanar feedback VCOs fabricated by a production PHEMT technology , 2001, 2001 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Sympsoium Digest (Cat. No.01CH37157).

[5]  M. Komaru,et al.  A 19 GHz low phase noise HFET VCO MMIC , 2003, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2003.

[6]  Hans-Martin Rein,et al.  Millimeter-wave VCOs with wide tuning range and low phase noise, fully integrated in a SiGe bipolar production technology , 2003, IEEE J. Solid State Circuits.

[7]  T. Katoh,et al.  A 40 GHz-band fully monolithic VCO with a one-wave length microstrip resonator for accurate oscillation frequency , 2002, 2002 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (Cat. No.02CH37278).

[8]  Songcheol Hong,et al.  A 60 GHz InGaP/GaAs HBT push-push MMIC VCO , 2003, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2003.

[9]  P. Katzin,et al.  A low noise 9.95/10.66 GHz PLO for optical applications , 2003, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2003.

[10]  D. Marchesan,et al.  A family of monolithic inductor-varactor SiGe-HBT VCOs for 20 GHz to 30 GHz LMDS and fiber-optic receiver applications , 2000, 2000 IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) Symposium Digest of Papers (Cat. No.00CH37096).

[11]  W. Heinrich,et al.  38 GHz push-push GaAs-HBT MMIC oscillator , 2002, 2002 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (Cat. No.02CH37278).

[12]  Chien-Ping Lee,et al.  Critical spacing between emitter and base in InGaP heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) , 2002, IEEE Electron Device Letters.