Radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) design II

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing market for radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless communication products. The trend of product miniaturization requires RF front-ends to be implemented in integrated circuits or the so called RFIC. One of the most important components of the RF front-end is the oscillator, which can be used for generating signal as a carrier for frequency up- and down conversions as well as a source for Doppler radar applications. In this project, we first designed a 24 GHz oscillator RFIC for Doppler radar applications. While waiting for the return of the fabricated IC from the foundry, we also designed and tested an oscillator using a field effect transistor, NEC 3210S01, based on the negative resistance approach. Besides, a single-ended diode mixer is also designed. RF circuit design at K band is very difficult to realize and very careful tuning of the circuit is required.