Wideband 110 GHz frequency quadrupler for an FMCW imager in 0.13-μm SiGe:C BiCMOS process

A high-performance 110 GHz frequency quadrupler implemented in 0.13-μm BiCMOS process is presented. The designed circuit is to be employed in an FMCW imaging radar system and is based on a cascade of two Gilbert cells with tuned loads connected as squarers. The differential input signal that is used for validation of the realized quadrupler is generated using an active on-chip balun with a limiting differential amplifier. Measurement results of the circuit prove that this approach to mm-wave frequency generation can provide operation with up to 25 GHz bandwidth along with high output power of 0 dBm.