A tunable 2.4pJ/b 1st-order derivative Gaussian pulse generator for impulse UWB transceivers in 0.13μm CMOS

An ultra low power, low cost, 1^st-order derivative Gaussian pulse generator for 3.1 GHz-10.6 GHz impulse-radio carrier-free ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter was designed and fabricated in commercial 0.13 μm CMOS technology. The pulse generator integrates three cascade stages to generate square waveform, Gaussian pulse waveform and 1^st-order Gaussian derivation waveform, respectively. The UWB impulse can be readily tuned by use of two digital controls to adjust the delay time between the two generated square waves. Measurement shows that a wide tuning range of 200 ps to 350 ps is achieved, which is capable of supporting extremely high data rate of Gbps for wireless video streaming. This design achieves the lowest reported power consumption of 2.4 pJ/b of same type over full-band UWB at 1.2 V supply with a 100 MHz pulse repeating frequency. This pulse generator complies with FCC UWB spectrum requirement.