0.13-μm SiGe BiCMOS radio front-end circuits for 24-GHz automotive short-range radar sensors

This paper presents the key blocks of a 24-GHz front-end for vehicular short-range radar sensors implemented in a 0.13-mum SiGe BiCMOS process. In particular, a three-stage low-noise amplifier with transformer-based loads, a frequency synthesizer, consisting of 24-GHz voltage-controlled oscillator in closed loop with an N-integer PLL, and an ultra-wideband transmitter based on a RF current steering switch are detailed. The low-noise amplifier provides an outstanding power gain of 35 dB and a noise figure as low as 3.4 dB, guarantying an input 1-dB compression point of -12 dBm. The transmitter is able to deliver 0-dBm output power at 24 GHz, complying with 1-ns pulse transmission requirements.