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A 28-GHz Phased-Array Receiver Front End With Dual-Vector Distributed Beamforming | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore
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Journals & Magazines >IEEE Journal of Solid-State C... >Volume: 52 Issue: 5

A 28-GHz Phased-Array Receiver Front End With Dual-Vector Distributed Beamforming

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Yi-Shin Yeh; Benjamin Walker; Ed Balboni; Brian Floyd
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Abstract:

This paper presents a 28-GHz four-channel phased-array receiver in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology for fifth-generation cellular application. The phased-array receiver empl...Show More

Metadata

Abstract:

This paper presents a 28-GHz four-channel phased-array receiver in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology for fifth-generation cellular application. The phased-array receiver employs scalar-only weighting functions within each receive path and then global quadrature power combining to realize beamforming. We discuss both the theory and nonidealities of this architecture and then circuit design details for our phased-array front-end prototype. Differential low-noise amplifiers and dual-vector variable-gain amplifiers are used to realize each front end in a compact area of 0.3 mm2. Across 4-b phase settings, each array element achieves 5.1-7 dB noise figure, -16.8 to -13.8 dBm input-referred 1-dB compression point, and -10.5 to -8.9 dBm input-referred third-order intercept point. The average gain per element is 10.5 dB at 29.7 GHz, whereas the 3-dB bandwidth is 24.5% (26.5-33.9 GHz). Root-mean-squared gain and phase errors are less than 0.6 dB and 5.4° across 28-32 GHz, respectively, and all four elements provide well-matched and well-isolated responses. Power consumption is 136 mW per element, equaling 546 mW for the four-element array.
Published in: IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 2017)
Page(s): 1230 - 1244
Date of Publication: 26 December 2016

ISSN Information:

DOI: 10.1109/JSSC.2016.2635664
Author image of Yi-Shin Yeh
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Yi-Shin Yeh (S’16) received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2007, and the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA, in 2011. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
He was a design summer intern with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, in 2014 an...Show More
Yi-Shin Yeh (S’16) received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2007, and the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA, in 2011. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
He was a design summer intern with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, in 2014 an...View more
Author image of Benjamin Walker
Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA
Benjamin Walker received the S.B. and M.Eng. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA, in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Since 2004, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Radio Frequency Group, Wilmington, MA, USA, where he worked on a variety of circuits for the wireless infrastructure market. His current research interests include phase-locked loops, voltage-controlled oscillators, and RF ...Show More
Benjamin Walker received the S.B. and M.Eng. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA, in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Since 2004, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Radio Frequency Group, Wilmington, MA, USA, where he worked on a variety of circuits for the wireless infrastructure market. His current research interests include phase-locked loops, voltage-controlled oscillators, and RF ...View more
Author image of Ed Balboni
Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA
Ed Balboni (M’92) was born in Malden, MA, USA, in 1962. He received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA, in 1985, and the M.S.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, in 1992.
In 1985 and 1997, he was with Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA, as an Analog Design Engineer, where he worked on inertial sensors, communications electronic...Show More
Ed Balboni (M’92) was born in Malden, MA, USA, in 1962. He received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA, in 1985, and the M.S.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, in 1992.
In 1985 and 1997, he was with Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA, as an Analog Design Engineer, where he worked on inertial sensors, communications electronic...View more
Author image of Brian Floyd
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Brian A. Floyd (S’98–M’01–SM’10) received the B.S. degree (Hons.), and the M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 1996, 1998, and 2001, respectively.
From 1994 to 1996, he was with the Motorola Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, FL, USA, working in the areas of RF product development and IC design. In 2001, he was a Research Staff Member ...Show More
Brian A. Floyd (S’98–M’01–SM’10) received the B.S. degree (Hons.), and the M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 1996, 1998, and 2001, respectively.
From 1994 to 1996, he was with the Motorola Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, FL, USA, working in the areas of RF product development and IC design. In 2001, he was a Research Staff Member ...View more
Contents

I. Introduction

Future cellular systems will support higher capacity along with faster peak- and edge-data rates. This need has the potential to be partially met by shifting toward millimeter-wave frequencies [1], [2]. In particular, the 28-GHz frequency band is an attractive candidate for fifth-generation (5G) networks due to available spectrum, favorable channel characteristics [3], [4], and the ability to realize highly integrated high-performance hardware in silicon [5]–[8]. Link budgets for 28 GHz [1] suggest moderate beamforming for user equipment (one to eight elements) and stronger beamforming at the basestation (up to hundreds of elements).

Author image of Yi-Shin Yeh
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Yi-Shin Yeh (S’16) received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2007, and the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA, in 2011. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
He was a design summer intern with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His current research interests include RF and analog integrated circuit design and the mm-wave phased-array transceiver for high data-rate wireless communication.
Mr. Yeh is a recipient of the Analog Devices Outstanding Student IC Designer Award in 2016.
Yi-Shin Yeh (S’16) received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2007, and the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA, in 2011. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
He was a design summer intern with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His current research interests include RF and analog integrated circuit design and the mm-wave phased-array transceiver for high data-rate wireless communication.
Mr. Yeh is a recipient of the Analog Devices Outstanding Student IC Designer Award in 2016.View more
Author image of Benjamin Walker
Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA
Benjamin Walker received the S.B. and M.Eng. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA, in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Since 2004, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Radio Frequency Group, Wilmington, MA, USA, where he worked on a variety of circuits for the wireless infrastructure market. His current research interests include phase-locked loops, voltage-controlled oscillators, and RF switch and attenuator design.
Benjamin Walker received the S.B. and M.Eng. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA, in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Since 2004, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Radio Frequency Group, Wilmington, MA, USA, where he worked on a variety of circuits for the wireless infrastructure market. His current research interests include phase-locked loops, voltage-controlled oscillators, and RF switch and attenuator design.View more
Author image of Ed Balboni
Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA
Ed Balboni (M’92) was born in Malden, MA, USA, in 1962. He received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA, in 1985, and the M.S.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, in 1992.
In 1985 and 1997, he was with Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA, as an Analog Design Engineer, where he worked on inertial sensors, communications electronics, and IC’s for MEMs sensors. In 1994 he was with PCSI as an RF Engineer, where he worked on cellular radios. Since 2000, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, where he became an RFIC Design Engineer, a Design Manager in 2005, and a Design Director in 2013. His current research interests include RF and microwave IC design for communications and sensing applications.
Ed Balboni (M’92) was born in Malden, MA, USA, in 1962. He received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA, in 1985, and the M.S.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, in 1992.
In 1985 and 1997, he was with Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA, as an Analog Design Engineer, where he worked on inertial sensors, communications electronics, and IC’s for MEMs sensors. In 1994 he was with PCSI as an RF Engineer, where he worked on cellular radios. Since 2000, he has been with Analog Devices Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA, where he became an RFIC Design Engineer, a Design Manager in 2005, and a Design Director in 2013. His current research interests include RF and microwave IC design for communications and sensing applications.View more
Author image of Brian Floyd
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Brian A. Floyd (S’98–M’01–SM’10) received the B.S. degree (Hons.), and the M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 1996, 1998, and 2001, respectively.
From 1994 to 1996, he was with the Motorola Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, FL, USA, working in the areas of RF product development and IC design. In 2001, he was a Research Staff Member with the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA, where he was involved in the development of 3G WCDMA receivers in SiGe BiCMOS and CMOS technologies and then the investigation and demonstration of some of the first silicon-based mm-wave receivers, transmitters, and frequency synthesizers for applications at 60 GHz and above. In 2007, he became the Manager of the Wireless Circuits and Systems Group, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, leading the development of 60-GHz phased-array transceiver, antenna, and package solutions under the IBM and MediaTek Joint Development Program. In 2010, he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, as an Associate Professor. He has authored or co-authored over 84 technical papers and has 22 issued patents. His current research interests include RF and mm-wave circuits and systems for communications, radar, and imaging applications.
Dr. Floyd held the Intersil/Semiconductor Research Corporation Graduate Fellowship and the Pittman Fellowship at the University of Florida, where he was involved in CMOS RFIC design for on-chip wireless clock distribution. He received the 2016 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2015 NC State Chancellor’s Innovation Award, the 2014 IBM Faculty Award, the 2011 DARPA Young Faculty Award, the 2004 and 2006 IEEE Lewis Winner Awards for best paper at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference, and the 2006 and 2011 Pat Goldberg Memorial Awards for the best paper within IBM Research. From 2006 to 2009, he served on the Technical Advisory Board to the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) integrated circuits and systems science area, and currently serves as a Thrust Leader for the SRC’s Texas Analog Center of Excellence. He is an Associate Editor for the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits and has served on the Technical Program Committee for the International Solid-State Circuits Conference. He currently serves on both the steering and technical program committees for the RFIC Symposium.
Brian A. Floyd (S’98–M’01–SM’10) received the B.S. degree (Hons.), and the M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 1996, 1998, and 2001, respectively.
From 1994 to 1996, he was with the Motorola Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, FL, USA, working in the areas of RF product development and IC design. In 2001, he was a Research Staff Member with the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA, where he was involved in the development of 3G WCDMA receivers in SiGe BiCMOS and CMOS technologies and then the investigation and demonstration of some of the first silicon-based mm-wave receivers, transmitters, and frequency synthesizers for applications at 60 GHz and above. In 2007, he became the Manager of the Wireless Circuits and Systems Group, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, leading the development of 60-GHz phased-array transceiver, antenna, and package solutions under the IBM and MediaTek Joint Development Program. In 2010, he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, as an Associate Professor. He has authored or co-authored over 84 technical papers and has 22 issued patents. His current research interests include RF and mm-wave circuits and systems for communications, radar, and imaging applications.
Dr. Floyd held the Intersil/Semiconductor Research Corporation Graduate Fellowship and the Pittman Fellowship at the University of Florida, where he was involved in CMOS RFIC design for on-chip wireless clock distribution. He received the 2016 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2015 NC State Chancellor’s Innovation Award, the 2014 IBM Faculty Award, the 2011 DARPA Young Faculty Award, the 2004 and 2006 IEEE Lewis Winner Awards for best paper at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference, and the 2006 and 2011 Pat Goldberg Memorial Awards for the best paper within IBM Research. From 2006 to 2009, he served on the Technical Advisory Board to the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) integrated circuits and systems science area, and currently serves as a Thrust Leader for the SRC’s Texas Analog Center of Excellence. He is an Associate Editor for the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits and has served on the Technical Program Committee for the International Solid-State Circuits Conference. He currently serves on both the steering and technical program committees for the RFIC Symposium.View more
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