Mm-wave Technologies and Components for 5G Applications. Liam Devlin, Interlligent UK Seminar, May 18 th 2017

Transcription

1 Mm-wave Technologies and Components for 5G Applications Liam Devlin, Interlligent UK Seminar, May 18 th 2017

2 Introduction Full details of the 5G standard are yet to be defined But we do know that it is intended that 5G will allow for: Much higher data rates Extremely low latency (<1ms) Uniform coverage over a wide area It is also intended to enable and encourage the development of new markets, technologies and applications It will frequently require large chunks of contiguous spectrum A key component of the new 5G radio interface will be the use of mm-wave frequencies Until recently, mm-waves have been viewed as inappropriate for mobile and non line-of-sight use, however, research has shown that the issues can be addressed and overcome

3 Presentation Outline This presentation will discuss: Likely operating bands Options and trends for the realisation of the mm-wave components Examples of packaging technologies used for mm-wave 5G Examples of mm-wave components designed by Plextek RFI for deployment in the first mm-wave 5G demonstrator systems

4 Likely Operating Bands for mm-wave 5G 28GHz Band (27.5 to 28.35GHz) FCC licensed 39GHz (38.6 to 40GHz) FCC licensed 37GHz (37 to 38.6GHz) FCC licensed 26GHz band (24.25 to 27.5GHz) RSPG recommended 32GHz (31.8 to 33.4GHz) RSPG highlighted option 42GHz (40.5 to 43.5GHz) RSPG longer term viable

5 Process Options and Trends For mm-wave blocks Function Process Options Comments PA PHEMT, GaN? PHEMT offers power, linearity and PAE at modest supply voltage. GaN has higher power density but requires higher supply voltage. LNA PHEMT, SiGe? PHEMT best NF; LNA may ultimately be integrated in transceiver Tx/Rx Switch PIN, PHEMT, SoI PIN best for higher frequencies and power Up/downconverter Fully integrated transceivers PHEMT, SiGe, CMOS, SoI SiGe, CMOS, SoI Designs are currently underway in all of these technologies Likely to be the longer term solution

6 Packaging Options and Trends For mm-wave blocks The frequencies in the table below are guidelines rather than hard limits: Style Typical Frequency Comments Over-moulded plastic To ~ 30GHz Normally uses custom leadframe Air-cavity plastic To ~ 42GHz Normally uses custom leadframe Laminate To ~ 45GHz Normally custom designed for higher frequency use Multi-Chip Modules To 100GHz Bare die assembled into custom substrate

7 Over-moulded Plastic 28GHz Application

8 Air-cavity Plastic 39GHz PA

9 Custom Laminate Packaging Approach

10 Custom Laminate Used for 39GHz Switch

11 Mm-wave MCMs Allow multiple MMICs to be combined into a compact multifunction component Allow adoption of techniques to minimise bondwire inductance

12 Examples of mm-wave 5G Components 39GHz PA 28GHz SP4T 28GHz PA with integral phase-shifter Dual band PA: 26GHz pioneer band (24.25 to 27.5GHz) 32GHz band (31.8 to 33.4GHz)

13 39GHz PA Measurements on eval PCB referenced to package ports

14 39GHz PA Measurements on eval PCB referenced to package ports

15 28GHz SP4T Fabricated on WIN Semiconductors PIN diode process

16 28GHz SP4T Performance from RFOW measurement

17 28GHz PA with Integral 4-bit Phase Shifter

18 28GHz PA with Integral 4-bit Phase Shifter Phase Shift Versus Frequency, all states (rms phase error ~ 2 ):

19 28GHz PA with Integral 4-bit Phase Shifter Gain and input/output return losses versus frequency, all Phase States:

20 28GHz PA with Integral 4-bit Phase Shifter P-1dB Versus Frequency and IP3, reference phase state:

21 Dual Band PA Single component, electronically switchable between 2 bands: 26GHz pioneer band (24.25 to 27.5GHz) 32GHz band (31.8 to 33.4GHz) Details published in May issue of Microwaves & RF

22 Dual Band PA S-parameters: 26GHz band; 32GHz band

23 Dual Band PA P-1dB versus frequency (LHS); Efficiency (RHS): 26GHz pioneer band (24.25 to 27.5GHz) 32GHz band (31.8 to 33.4GHz)

24 Conclusions 5G technology will make use of mm-wave non line of sight links Much work is currently underway in the development of mmwave components targeting the expected 5G mm-wave bands Innovative design techniques and packaging solutions can be expected Operating bands still to be confirmed, Ka-band looking likely but a single allocation worldwide is not realistic: Dual band components could become attractive

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