Abstract This chapter lays the foundation for the work presented in latter chapters. The potential of 60 GHz frequency bands for high data rate wireless transfer is discussed and promising applications are enlisted. Furthermore, the challenges related to 60 GHz IC design are presented and the chapter concludes with an outline of the book. Keywords Wireless communication 60 GHz Millimeter wave integrated circuit design Phase-locked loop CMOS Communication technology has revolutionized our way of living over the last century. Since Marconi’s transatlantic wireless experiment in 1901, there has been tremendous growth in wireless communication evolving from spark-gap telegraphy to today’s mobile phones equipped with Internet access and multimedia capabilities. The omnipresence of wireless communication can be observed in widespread use of cellular telephony, short-range communication through wireless local area networks and personal area networks, wireless sensors and many others. The frequency spectrum from 1 to 6 GHz accommodates the vast majority of current wireless standards and applications. Coupled with the availability of low cost radio frequency (RF) components and mature integrated circuit (IC) techn- ogies, rapid expansion and implementation of these systems is witnessed. The downside of this expansion is the resulting scarcity of available bandwidth and allowable transmit powers. In addition, stringent limitations on spectrum and energy emissions have been enforced by regulatory bodies to avoid interference between different wireless systems.

Abstract This chapter lays the foundation for the work presented in latter chapters. The potential of 60 GHz frequency bands for high data rate wireless transfer is discussed and promising applications are enlisted. Furthermore, the challenges related to 60 GHz IC design are presented and the chapter concludes with an outline of the book. Keywords Wireless communication 60 GHz Millimeter wave integrated circuit design Phase-locked loop CMOS Communication technology has revolutionized our way of living over the last century. Since Marconi’s transatlantic wireless experiment in 1901, there has been tremendous growth in wireless communication evolving from spark-gap telegraphy to today’s mobile phones equipped with Internet access and multimedia capabilities. The omnipresence of wireless communication can be observed in widespread use of cellular telephony, short-range communication through wireless local area networks and personal area networks, wireless sensors and many others. The frequency spectrum from 1 to 6 GHz accommodates the vast majority of current wireless standards and applications. Coupled with the availability of low cost radio frequency (RF) components and mature integrated circuit (IC) techn- ogies, rapid expansion and implementation of these systems is witnessed. The downside of this expansion is the resulting scarcity of available bandwidth and allowable transmit powers. In addition, stringent limitations on spectrum and energy emissions have been enforced by regulatory bodies to avoid interference between different wireless systems.

This book describes the digitally intensive time-domain architectures and techniques applied to millimeter-wave frequency synthesis, with the objective of improving performance and reducing the cost of implementation. Coverage includes system architecture, system level modeling, critical building block design, and digital calibration techniques, making it highly suitable for those who want to learn about mm-wave frequency generation for communication and radar applications, integrated circuit implementation, and time-domain circuit and system techniques. Highlights the challenges of frequency synthesis at mm-wave band using CMOS technology Compares the various approaches for mm-wave frequency generation (pros and cons) Introduces the digitally intensive synthesizer approach and its advantages Discusses the proper partitioning of the digitally intensive mm-wave frequency synthesizer into mm-wave, RF, analog, digital and software components Provides detailed design techniques from system level to circuit level Addresses system modeling, simulation techniques, design-for-test, and layout issues Demonstrates the use of time-domain techniques for high-performance mm-wave frequency synthesis

After a review of PLL essentials, this uniquely comprehensive workbench guide takes you step-by-step through operation principles, design procedures, phase noise analysis, layout considerations, and CMOS realizations for each PLL building block. You get full details on LC tank oscillators including modeling and optimization techniques, followed by design options for CMOS frequency dividers covering flip-flop implementation, the divider by 2 component, and other key factors. The book includes design alternatives for phase detectors that feature methods to minimize jitter caused by the dead zone effect. You also find a sample design of a fully integrated PLL for WLAN applications that demonstrates every step and detail right down to the circuit schematics and layout diagrams. Supported by over 150 diagrams and photos, this one-stop toolkit helps you produce superior PLL designs faster, and deliver more effective solutions for low-cost integrated circuits in all RF applications.

This book describes the design of a receiver front-end circuit for operation in the 60GHz range in 90nm CMOS. Physical layout of the test circuit and post-layout simulations for the implementation of a test chip including the QVCO and the first stage divider are also presented. The content of this book is particularly of interest to those working on mm-wave frequency generation and signal reception.