Three-channel 77 GHz automotive radar transmitter in plastic package

Abstract

We present a three-channel 77GHz radar transmitter in an embedded wafer-level ball grid array (eWLB) package. The circuit is manufactured in a 0.35 μm SiGe bipolar process. It contains a 77GHz push-push oscillator and three independent power amplifiers with digital power control and a maximum output power of 11.7 dBm. Various frequency divider stages and an additional 18GHz oscillator and down-converter allow the realisation of single-loop and offset PLLs. The 77GHz and 18 GHz oscillators achieve a phase noise of -76 dBc/Hz and -93 dBc/Hz, at 100 kHz offset, respectively. The transmitter operates with a supply voltage of 3.3V and consumes between 205mA and 710 mA, depending on the configuration.