60-GHz OOK multi-chip transceiver modules for multi-Gbps wireless communications

Transmitter and receiver modules for 60-GHz multi-gigabit per second (multi-Gbps) communications are presented. The On-Off-Keying (OOK) modulation scheme is utilized to minimize the system complexity and thus the power consumption. The transmitter module consists of voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), OOK modulator and medium-power power amplifier (PA), while the receiver requires only low-noise amplifier (LNA) and OOK demodulator. All circuits are fabricated in a 0.25-μm SiGe BiCMOS process. Bondwire compensation structures are utilized to mitigate the reflections caused by bondwire interfaces. Wireless measurements at 54 cm with 20-dBi horn antennas resulted in an error-free transmission at 4.5 Gbps. The complete transceiver chipset consumes 396 mW.