학술논문

An 85-GHz Power Amplifier Utilizing a Transformer-Based Power Combiner Operating Beyond the Self-Resonance Frequency
Document Type
Periodical
Author
Source
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Journal of. 57(3):882-891 Mar, 2022
Subject
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Computing and Processing
Transformers
Voltage
Metals
Power generation
Millimeter wave transistors
Millimeter wave communication
Layout
CMOS
millimeter wave
power amplifier (PA)
power combining
self-resonance frequency (SRF)
Language
ISSN
0018-9200
1558-173X
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate an 85-GHz eight-way four-stage power amplifier (PA) with transformer-based power combiners (PCs) and power splitters (PSs) operating beyond their self-resonance frequencies in 65-nm CMOS. An equivalent two-port network of a multiport PC/PS was developed to investigate the circuit behavior for estimating the possible operating frequency ranges and performing optimal impedance matching of the PA with PCs/PSs. From the results, the PA achieved a power gain of 29.3 dB with a 3-dB gain bandwidth recorded from 82.7 to 86.7 GHz, a saturated output power of 19.1 dBm with an output 1-dB gain compression point of 16.2 dBm, and a peak power-added efficiency of 8.6%. The total chip size is 0.72 mm 2 , and the core size excluding pads is only 0.172 mm 2 .