Low Noise Low Cost Rx Solutions for Pulsed 24GHz Automotive Radar Sensors

This work presents the performance of an integrated Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and Gilbert cell mixer integration and also a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) performance. Differential topology was used to achieve the down converter. LNA measurements report 22.5dB gain and about 3.2dB noise figure at 24GHz. Large signal results give IP_1dB of -15dBm. The mixer measurements show very interesting results of 15dB conversion gain and 5dB_DSB noise figure. This allows a down converter of 31.8dB gain and 3.5dB_DSB noise figure which provides a dynamic range of 37dB. The design of these circuits was performed considering temperature and process variations. Nevertheless, results obtained at 24GHz have never been published using a standard 0.17μm BiCMOS SiGe 170GHz f_T featuring 1.7V Bvceo.