A multi-band, high bandwidth, short duration linear chirp generation IC for phased-array applications

This work presents a fully integrated multi-band frequency synthesizer that is capable of creating wide-band linear frequency sweeps of very short duration. The main aim is to create a flexible waveform generation system, requiring distribution of a low frequency reference rather than RF signals. By using a phase-locked loop, frequency multiplication (rather than shifting) occurs. This allows for a narrow band and low frequency reference signal, allowing digital reference generation and thus providing a large degree of flexibility. Chirps with a bandwidth of 1 GHz (in X-band) and duration as short as 10 μs can be created. The chip can be operated in either pulsed or CW mode. The small external size of the package, which measures 5×5 mm² means that local RF generation is possible even in X-band arrays with small antenna element pitch.