A Tunable 220 GHz Comb Generator Realized with an Ultrawideband Mixer in a InP HBT Technology

Published

September 9, 2023

Author(s)

Jerome Cheron, Rob Jones, Dylan Williams, Peter Aaen

Abstract

We present a new millimeter-wave electrical comb generator with frequency-adjustable tone spacing and a tunable RF center frequency. We use an ultrawideband mixer based on a Gilbert cell topology to upconvert the spectrum of a series of repetitive pulses. The upconverter's local-oscillator frequency sets the center of the RF band while the CW signal driving the pulse generator defines the tone spacing of the comb. We demonstrate a stable electrical comb from 140 GHz to 220 GHz, with a 500 MHz and 2 GHz frequency spacing. This up-converted comb can be used as a phase reference at millimeter-wave frequencies.

Citation

IEEE Microwave and Wireless Technology Letters

Volume

33

Issue

9

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1109/LMWT.2023.3294299

Local Download

Keywords

Comb generator, millimeter-wave, monolithic microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC), ultrawideband mixer, on-wafer calibration.

Citation

Cheron, J. , Jones, R. , Williams, D. and Aaen, P. (2023), A Tunable 220 GHz Comb Generator Realized with an Ultrawideband Mixer in a InP HBT Technology, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Technology Letters, [online], https://doi.org/10.1109/LMWT.2023.3294299, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935758 (Accessed October 14, 2025)