An MMIC-Based Frequency Doubler Module with 20 mW Output Power for a 76 GHz Radar Transmitter

A novel frequency doubler module with an output power exceeding 20 mW at 76 GHz and a conversion loss of less than 3 dB has been developed and tested. The module consists of a monolithic 38 GHz medium power amplifier (MPA) and a Schottky diode frequency doubler MMIC. The reproducibility of the RF-performance of the employed MPA has been tested on wafer, showing only a small spread in linear and saturated gain. The doubler chip is fabricated by using a high yield Schottky diode based process. Both of these requirements are essential for high volume production of such modules.