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A multi-octave microwave 6-bit true time delay with low amplitude and delay variation in 65 nm CMOS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2021

Yakov Gutkin
Affiliation:
Electrical Engineering Department, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Asher Madjar*
Affiliation:
Electrical Engineering Department, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Emanuel Cohen
Affiliation:
Electrical Engineering Department, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
*
Author for correspondence: Asher Madjar, E-mail: asher.madjar@gmail.com
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Abstract

In this paper, we describe the design, layout, and performance of a 6-bit TTD (true time delay) chip operating over the entire band of 2–18 GHz. The 1.15 mm2 chip is implemented using TSMC foundry 65 nm technology. The least significant bit is 1 ps. The design is based on the concept of all-pass network with some modifications intended to reduce the number of unit cells. Thus, the first three bits are implemented in a single delay cell. A peaking buffer amplifier between bit 4 and bit 5 is used for impedance matching and partial compensation of the insertion loss slope. The rms delay error of the TTD is <1 ps over most of the frequency band and insertion loss is between 2.5 and 6.3 dB for all 64 states.

Information

Type
Active Circuits
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with the European Microwave Association
Figure 0

Fig. 1. A second-order all-pass network (a) classical; (b) modified (M-mutual inductance).

Figure 1

Fig. 2. A composite plot showing Cp range sweep, max S11, and delay variation over the band for optimal case-matched delay cell of 16.5 ps.

Figure 2

Table 1. Comparison of different ranges for modified APN

Figure 3

Fig. 3. Block diagram of the complete TTD chip.

Figure 4

Fig. 4. (a) Modified all-pass network schematic for bits 1–3 (k-coupling coefficient); (b) switch with inverter units; (c) switch without inverter units; (d) coupled inductors.

Figure 5

Fig. 5. Fine tune the delay curve of bits 1–3 for one of the states.

Figure 6

Fig. 6. Group delay dependence on bias resistors of series cap switch bits 1–3.

Figure 7

Fig. 7. (a) Schematic of bit 4; (b) schematic of SPDT switch.

Figure 8

Fig. 8. Schematic of bit 5.

Figure 9

Fig. 9. Schematic of bit 6.

Figure 10

Table 2. Buffer amplifier specifications

Figure 11

Fig. 10. Schematic of the buffer amplifier.

Figure 12

Fig. 11. Simulated performance of buffer amplifier.

Figure 13

Fig. 12. Photo of bits1–4 and buffer amp.

Figure 14

Fig. 13. Photo of bits 5–6.

Figure 15

Fig. 14. Simulated and measured delay response for bit 5 + bit 6.

Figure 16

Fig. 15. RMS error of delay for bits 5–6 (calculated from measurement).

Figure 17

Fig. 16. Simulated and measured delay for bits 1–4 (2–18 GHz).

Figure 18

Fig. 17. RMS error of delay for bits 1–4 (calculated from measurement).

Figure 19

Fig. 18. Simulated (a) S11; (b) S22; (c) S12; (d) S21 of the complete TTD chip using measured data of the individual chips.

Figure 20

Fig. 19. RMS delay and amplitude error for the complete TTD (calculated from measurement).

Figure 21

Table 3. Performance comparison of TTD chips

Figure 22

Fig. 20. Simulated delay response for the complete TTD using measurements of individual chips (a) with buffer amplifier, (b) with ideal buffer, (c) no buffer.