Simplified Architecture of 5G Millimeter-wave Retrodirective Array and Its Implementation in CMOS Chips
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摘要: 该文首次报道了一种极简构架的5G毫米波反向阵设计原理及其CMOS芯片实现技术。该毫米波反向阵极简构架,利用次谐波混频器提供相位共轭和阵列反向功能,无需移相电路及波束控制系统,便可实现波束自动回溯移动通信功能。该文采用国产0.18 μm CMOS工艺研制了5G毫米波反向阵芯片,包括发射前端、接收前端及跟踪锁相环等核心模块,其中发射及接收前端芯片采用次谐波混频及跨导增强等技术,分别实现了19.5 dB和18.7 dB的实测转换增益。所实现的跟踪锁相环芯片具备双模工作优势,可根据不同参考信号支持幅度调制及相位调制,实测输出信号相噪优于–125 dBc/Hz@100 kHz。该文给出的测试结果验证了所提5G毫米波反向阵通信架构及其CMOS芯片实现的可行性,从而为5G/6G毫米波通信探索了一种架构极简、成本极低、拓展性强的新方案。Abstract: For the first time, a simplified architecture for 5G millimeter-wave retrodirective arrays and its implementation in CMOS chips is reported in this paper. Phase conjugation and retrodirective functions are provided by sub-harmonic mixers in the simplified architecture, eliminating the need for phase-shifting circuits and beam-controlling systems, thereby enabling automatic beam tracking for mobile communications. For validation, a domestic 0.18 μm CMOS process is employed to realize a 5G millimeter-wave retrodirective array chip, comprising core modules such as the transceiver front-ends and tracking phase-locked loop. Measured conversion gains of 19.5 dB for transmitting and 18.7 dB for receiving are achieved by the transceiver front-end chip utilizing sub-harmonic mixing and gm-boosting techniques. Dual-mode operation capabilities, supporting both amplitude modulation and phase modulation based on different reference signals, are provided by the implemented tracking phase-locked loop chip, with measured output signal phase noise lower than –125 dBc/Hz@100 kHz. The feasibility of the proposed 5G millimeter-wave retrodirective array communication architecture and its CMOS chip implementation is validated by the test results presented in this paper, thus offering a new solution for 5G/6G millimeter-wave communication characterized by its extremely simplified architecture, low cost, and high scalability.
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表 1 下变频次谐波混频器性能对比总结
表 2 低噪声放大器性能对比总结
表 3 上变频次谐波混频器性能对比总结
表 4 功率放大器性能对比总结
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