A 60 GHz 2.5 Gbps OOK Modulator with Data-Dependent Impedance Cell for Enhanced ON/OFF Isolation in 0.18 $\mu$ m BiCMOS Process

A 60 GHz on/off-keying (OOK) modulator with data-dependent impedance cell for enhanced ON/OFF isolation supporting up to 2.5 Gbps data rate is presented. Based on a single-stage cascode amplifier, the OOK modulator achieves 36.5 dB isolation and 11.5 dB forward gain, resulting in very high ON/OFF isolation of 48 dB by incorporating the data-dependent impedance cell. The OOK modulator is realized in a 0.18 μm BiCMOS process, occupies 0.95 mm × 0.95 mm with pads and 0.4 mm × 0.28 mm without pads, and only consumes 4.5 mA at 1.8 V supply voltage ( PDC = 8.1 mW).