Highly Integrated Silicon (Si)-based RF electronics

The solicitation indicates that the objective is to develop methods to achieve unparalleled levels of integration for silicon-based RF electronics in support of emerging DoD-critical applications. Example DoD applications include wafer-scale phase array radars, highly integrated warfare systems, or compact sensing systems. In the commercial sector, applications may include wireless voice/data communications, industrial control and automation, automotive radar, etc. Recent advancements in silicon-based technologies have allowed transistor performance to approach cutoff frequencies normally reserved for III-V semiconductor materials, thus making them suitable for integration into various DoD-critical RF applications. We are planning to utilize the latest multi-gate MOSFET technology to develop RF building blocks to achieve highly integrated, low-power RF designs. Multi-gate MOSFETs differ from typical transistor implementations, as they contain additional gates that maybe utilized to “tune” circuit performance and characteristics while reducing the overall size of the design. These devices also offer excellent mixed-signal alternatives, as they possess architectural features conductive to the integration of analog and digital building blocks on the same substrate with minimal overhead to the fabrication sequence; reduced cross-talk and better isolation on SOI platform, multi-finger gates, minimal parasitics, scalability and simplicity.