A K-Band Frequency Tripler Using Transformer-Based Self-Mixing Topology With Peaking Inductor

This article presents a K-band frequency tripler with bandwidth enhancement techniques. A transformer-based self-mixing topology with peaking inductor (TSM-PI) is introduced to settle the drawbacks in DC distortion, bandwidth, and output voltage of the conventional self-mixing structure. Theoretical analyses compared with the conventional one are proposed, which shows the TSM-PI structure improves performances significantly. With these techniques, a K-band ultrawideband frequency tripler is designed and implemented in a 0.11-μm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. It achieves a 50.6% fractional bandwidth from 17.7 to 29.7 GHz. With a very low-power consumption of 7.2 mW, the saturation output power and efficiency are 0.28 dBm and 15.2%, respectively.