Silicon bipolar technology-a versatile base for high-speed communication circuits

The technical requirements on versatile IC technologies include speed capability for operation in the 10 GHz range and above; low power consumption in the 1-5 GHz range for possible battery power supply; capability of high-precision analog functions at ultimate speed; uniformity and reliability for mass production; and capability of integration of complex systems on single chips. An overview is presented on the extent to which these technical requirements can be met by silicon bipolar technologies in the present and the near future. Particular attention is given to silicon bipolar transistors as fast integrated optical detectors and to the properties of demonstration circuits. It is concluded that most of the demands of future information systems can be fulfilled with existing silicon bipolar technologies.<
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