Wireless multi-gigabit data transmission using active MMIC components at 220 GHz

In this paper we present a wireless data link for multi-gigabit transmission in the mmW frequency range. The link is realized using waveguide modules based on fully integrated 50 nm metamorphic high electron mobility transistor (mHEMT) transmit and receive millimeter wave monolithic integrated circuits (MMICs) and provides transmission of data rates up to 12.5 Gbit/s modulated on a 220 GHz carrier. The receiver input sensitivity is characterized down to values of -38.6 dBm and shows an error rate of 3.0 × 10 -9. Measurements using a coherent link setup show bit error rates better than 1.6 × 10 -9 for a data rate of 10 Gbit/s and a transmission distance of 2 m. For a distance of 20 m a real-time Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S) television transmission is realized. The signal quality after the wireless link is sufficient for a commercial DVB-S receiver to display the television programs.