Nano-scale CMOS SoC RF transceivers for 60 GHz wireless body area networks

The 60 GHz radio channel has the potential to overcome some of the main limitations related to the implementation of low-power wireless body-centric communication systems at lower frequencies, supporting, security and low interference with adjacent wireless body-centric networks, as well as high antenna miniaturization, and also multigigabit per second communication rates. This paper addresses the main design challenges and perspectives for the implementation of SoC radio transceivers enabling wireless body-centric communications at 60 GHz. An explorative feasibility study is carried out by taking into account the main characteristics of the radio channel, the main limitations of the nano-scale CMOS technology, and the integration with textile and miniaturized flexible antennas for onand off-body communications. The results show concrete opportunities for the system-on-chip implementation of radiofrequency transceivers supporting the next-generation wireless body-centric networks.