Digital Regenerative Receiver for Millimeter-Wave and Sub-Millimeter-Wave Imaging and Communication
SUMMARY
Researchers at UCLA have developed a universal architecture for high-frequency receivers that eliminate the need for analog to digital converters, reducing power consumption and chip area while providing high input sensitivity and receiver gain.
BACKGROUND
As applications for high data rate wireless communications increase, so does the demand for high frequency receivers with low power consumption. However, as the frequency of operation increases, device gains drop, rendering conventional receiver designs ineffective.
INNOVATION
Researchers at UCLA have constructed a low-complexity receiver capable of receiving data in the milimeter and sub-milimeter wave range and directly generating a time-encoded digital output. Through employing a super-regenerative architecture that is quenched by digital circuitry, the need for an analog-to-digital converter is eliminated, reducing power consumption and chip area. Accordingly, the architecture is ideal for interleaving multiple receivers to provide high baseband data rates and it also provides an attractive solution for mmw-imaging arrays where 10,000s of pixel receivers need to be fabricated on the same chop.
APPLICATIONS
- Wireless RF Receivers (mm- and sub-mm- wave)
- High data rate communication, Imaging signals, Spaceborne systems
ADVANTAGES
- High receiver sensitivity at sub-mm frequencies
- Eliminates the need for analog to digital conversion
- Readily configurable across frequency bands
- Easily interleaved for higher data rates