A complete 38 GHz transmit and receive chip set in low cost surface mount package

Abstract

While most Point-to-Point radio systems migrate to SMT(Surface Mount Technology) over chip-and-wire, the 38GHz band has provided the largest challenge. This paper demonstrates a commercially viable complete SMT solution to receive LNA-down-converter and transmit Up-converter. VGA, Power Amp and Directional Power Detector. The receive chain provides 10dB conversion gain with 4.5dB NF. The transmit chain provides 26dB maximum total gain with 24dB gain control and 30dBm maximum power out at 1dB compression. The amplifiers are housed in 5×5mm packages while the detector uses a chip scale 1×0.5mm package. All cover the 37 to 42 GHz radio bands. This is the only known complete SMT Tx/Rx solution to be published or demonstrated.