Compact integrated coplanar T/R-modules for automotive applications

Integrated transmit and receive MMICs for automotive applications have been realized in coplanar waveguide technology, using a 0.15 mu m PHEMT process. The transmitter chip delivers an output power of 10 dBm at the antenna and the LO-ports. The receiver has an overall conversion gain of 10 dB for an LO-power of -10 dBm. Both chips only require an area of 3*2 mm2 For an improved higher power version of the transmitter, a new nonlinear HEMT-model has been used for the design of a power amplifier, resulting in excellent agreement between predicted and measured output performance at 76 GHz.