Low-Cost Beamforming SiGe MMIC Receivers at mm-Wave

The goal of this project is to perform technology research and development to integrate phase shifters and other needed electronics for electronically steered mmWave beamforming phased array Receivers at 35.6 GHz and 94 GHz so that the size of the Receiver package is commensurate with the antenna array. At these frequencies, the current state-of-the-art in technology for receiver or T/R module designs are not feasible. To achieve this goal, multiple array elements must be combined and processed into one integrated electronics package. The project will draw on NxGEN Electronics' high density/high frequency packaging and interconnect experience and Liner Signal's RFIC product baseline designs and their experience for low cost commercial satellite communications terminals. The design target is 16 phase shifters and supporting functionality, including low noise amplifiers, combiners, downconverters, and digital beamformer control logic integrated onto a single RFIC. The result will be unprecedented size reduction for phased array antennas at these frequencies. key aspects of the solution proposed is that the RFIC design will include ESD protection, package-ready impedance matching, and other enhancements needed to support a deployable, robust, mission-ready antenna system.