120 GHz radar mixed-signal transceiver

The design of a complex integrated transceiver for 121-124 GHz is presented. The transceiver consists of the transmitter with VCO, power amplifier and power detectors, the receiver with LNA, two mixers for quadrature receive path and variable gain amplifiers for IF-output and the digital control circuits with SPI-interface. A central part is the VCO with DAC and memory for on-chip storage of programmable frequency ramps for FMCW radar applications. The oscillator phase noise is -92 dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset. For calibration of the radar-system on chip, a frequency measurement unit is integrated. The radar chip has power consumption of 380 mW and occupies an area of 1.8 mm × 1.5 mm. Several examples of frequency ramp generation are presented. The chip is intended for integration together with antenna in a single package.