A 160-GHz low-noise downconverter in a SiGe HBT technology

A 160-GHz downconversion front-end for imaging arrays fabricated in a SiGe HBT technology is presented. The front-end features a fully differential architecture compatible with balanced on or off-chip antennas consisting of a three-stage LNA with 24 dB gain and Gilbert-cell mixer operating from -7dBm fundamental LO signal. The downconverter consumes 50 mA from a 3.3V supply and requires is 0.1 mm
²
die area (excl. pads) per channel. With an 160-GHz input signal and an IF frequency of 150 MHz, the implemented front-end yields a 27-dB conversion gain and a 7.4-dB/9.5-dB (without/with auxiliary on-chip input balun) system noise figure.