A 142-GHz 4/5 Dual-Modulus Prescaler for Wideband and Low Noise Frequency Synthesizers in 130-nm SiGe:C BiCMOS

In this contribution, the simulation and measurement results of a 4/5 dual-modulus prescaler, operating from dc to 142 GHz with a power consumption of 144 mW, are presented. For a division ratio of 4, the maximum operation frequency of 166 GHz is even higher. The prescaler is the core of a fully programmable dual-modulus frequency divider, which is a crucial component of modern measurement systems. The effect of the physical lengths and the resulting internal delays on the prescaler’s performance is analyzed. Furthermore, the voltage level of the fully differential emitter-coupled logic (ECL) is optimized in terms of phase noise and maximum operating frequency. The monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is realized in a 130-nm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology with
$f_{ \textit T}/f_{max}$
= 470/650 GHz.