Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have designed a novel intercoupled oscillator array architecture for efficient THz generation.
Background:
Efficient THz generation in silicon technologies has been of great interest over the recent years, as it enables an integrated low-cost solution for sensing, radar, communication, and spectroscopy. Due to the limitation of transistors, direct THz generation using a fundamental oscillator is not feasible. Therefore, various approaches have been developed based on harmonic extraction and the frequency multiplication of a fundamental oscillator. In these techniques, the nonlinearity of transistors is utilized to generate higher harmonics from a fundamental oscillator or frequency-multiplier cells. However, such systems have a poor efficiency and low radiated power due to device limitations. Therefore, there is a need for improved THz-generating systems that are efficient and reliable.
Innovation:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed a technique for THz continuous-wave (CW). Instead of relying on transistor nonlinearity, the UCLA researchers developed a PIN-based technique for efficient THz CW generation, which enables a wide frequency-tuning range and a large phase shift between elements. Compared to previous THz-generating systems, the PIN-based array can achieve a much higher radiated power, with the lowest reported phase noise and highest frequency tuning range vs. the state-of-the-art. This invention can be of great value when applied in THz radiation devices and systems in the future, including high-speed wireless communication.
Potential Applications:
- Low-cost silicon technologies
- High-speed wireless communication
- Sensing
- Radar
- 6G technology
- Spectroscopy
- Healthcare and biomedical field
Advantages:
- Wide frequency-tuning range
- Low power consumption
- Improved phase-noise performance
Development to Date:
Invention has been successfully demonstrated.
Related Papers:
S. Razavian and A. Babakhani, "A Highly Power Efficient 2×3 PIN-Diode-Based Intercoupled THz Radiating Array at 425GHz with 18.1dBm EIRP in 90nm SiGe BiCMOS," 2022 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), 2022, pp. 1-3, doi: 10.1109/ISSCC42614.2022.9731731.
Reference: UCLA Case No. 2022-109