Semiconductor technology choices for ultrawide-band (UWB) systems

Abstract

UWB 3.1-10.6 GHz frequency and bandwidth impose stringent performance demands of technology. The standard specifications, system architecture, frequency planning, and circuit topology have a major influence on the technology choice. Two technology choices are RFCMOS and SiGe BiCMOS. RFCMOS strongly increases speed and density with scaling, but analog parameters and layout are a concern. RFCMOS designs also require additional devices, sophisticated models and design kits over digital CMOS. SiGe HBTS have fewer device design tradeoffs due to bandgap-engineered vertical transport. Initial systems are system in a package. The low cost favors CMOS.