A 23-GHz TX/LNA Front-End Module for Inter-Satellite Links With 27.8% Peak Efficiency in the TX Path and 3.1-dB NF in the RX Path

This article presents a 23-GHz transmitter/low-noise amplifier (TX/LNA) front-end module (FEM) in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS for inter-satellite links (ISLs) in the system of orbiting low-frequency antenna array (OLFAR). The FEM consists of an LNA, a power amplifier (PA), a variable-gain amplifier (VGA), a phase shifter (PS), and a TX/receiver switch (T/R SW). By applying the combination of different techniques: 1) multi-function block design strategy; 2) current reuse and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\rm g}_{\rm m}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> boosting implemented by a triple-coil transformer in the LNA; 3) dual-LC-tank-based integrated T/R SW, a compact FEM is achieved, simultaneously with an advanced-state-of-the-art efficiency in the TX path and a competitive noise figure (NF) in the receiver (RX) path. In the TX path, it demonstrates a measured saturated output power (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{sat}})$</tex-math> </inline-formula> of 16.8 dBm, a peak TX efficiency of 27.8%, and a 34.1-dB gain. It supports 900-Mbps 64-QAM signals with 4.9% error vector magnitude (EVM) and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$-$</tex-math> </inline-formula>27.5-dBc adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR), at 9.0-dBm output power (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{out}})$</tex-math> </inline-formula> with 8.8% TX efficiency. In the RX path, an NF of 3.1 dB and an input 1-dB compression point (IP<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{\mathrm{1~dB}})$</tex-math> </inline-formula> of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$-$</tex-math> </inline-formula>19.4 dBm are achieved with a 19.3-dB gain and a 10-mW power consumption. The core chip area is 1.11 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math> </inline-formula> 0.48 mm.