60-GHz Millimeter-Wave Identification Reader on 90-nm CMOS and LTCC

A reader module at 60 GHz for high data-rate short-range backscattering-based communications is presented. The reader consists of a CMOS-based oscillator, amplifiers, and a mixer on a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The filter, power splitter, and antennas are directly patterned on the LTCC. All millimeter-wave components are contained within the module and the only interfaces to the module are the IF and bias lines. Transmit power of the module is +11.6-dBm effective isotropic radiated power with an IF bandwidth of 400 MHz. The LTCC module measures 13×24 mm² and has a dc power consumption of 130 mW. Reception of a 20-MHz square wave from a tag 5 cm apart from the reader is demonstrated; the suggested millimeter-wave identification concept enables a 10²- 10³-fold data-rate increase in comparison to the present near-field communication technique, with similar size, range, and power consumption of the reader.