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Design and Realization of Ultra-Wideband Differential Amplifiers for M-Sequence Radar Applications
Miroslav Sokol1, Pavol Galajda1, Patrik Jurik1
1Department of Electronics and Multimedia Telecommunications, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 13, 2024
Summary
This study presents ultra-wideband (UWB) differential amplifiers designed using the Cherry-Hooper structure for M-sequence applications. Fabricated in SiGe BiCMOS, these amplifiers achieve bandwidths up to 12 GHz with optimized performance parameters.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Microwave Engineering
- Semiconductor Device Design
Background:
- Wideband high-frequency and microwave signal amplification is crucial for electronic circuits.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor applications require specialized circuit designs.
- The Cherry-Hooper amplifier structure is a foundational element in high-frequency amplification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze, design, and implement ultra-wideband differential amplifiers for M-sequence-based UWB applications.
- To explore modifications of the Cherry-Hooper structure for optimized performance.
- To achieve specific improvements in bandwidth, noise figure, and common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR).
Main Methods:
- Design and analysis based on the Cherry-Hooper amplifier structure.
- Implementation using a low-cost 0.35 µm SiGe BiCMOS semiconductor process.
- Modification of amplifier designs for targeted parameter optimization (bandwidth, noise figure, CMRR).
- Chip fabrication, wire-bonding, and high-frequency PCB design for evaluation.
- Schematic simulations, post-layout simulations, and experimental measurements.
Main Results:
- Fabricated UWB differential amplifiers achieved bandwidths from 6 to 12 GHz.
- Gain at 1 GHz ranged from 12 to 16 dB.
- Noise figures were between 7 and 13 dB.
- Common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) reached up to 70 dB.
- Supply current ranged from 100-160 mA at +/- 3.3 V.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully designed, fabricated, and evaluated modified Cherry-Hooper UWB differential amplifiers.
- The implemented designs demonstrate effective amplification for M-sequence UWB applications.
- Optimized amplifier variants achieved significant improvements in bandwidth, noise performance, and CMRR.
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