Dynamic waveform shaping for reconfigurable radiated periodic signal generation with picosecond time-widths

In this paper, a scalable architecture is presented which can generate and radiate reconfigurable periodic waveforms in free-space with picosecond time-widths. This is achieved by allowing radiated electromagnetic-fields of fundamental and multiple harmonic frequencies to combine in free-space with the right amplitudes and delays, and quasi-optically construct the time-domain waveform in the desired direction. In this paper, a 4-element array with integrated antennas is presented which is demonstrated to radiate pulse trains of 2.6 ps time-widths as well as pure tones and harmonic frequencies at 107.5 GHz (EIRP=4.5 dBm), 215 GHz (EIRP=5.0 dBm) and any combination of amplitudes and delays of these two harmonics to generate a set of reconfigurable waveforms in free space. No silicon lens or substrate thinning was employed. To the best of the authors´ knowledge, this is the sharpest radiated pulses demonstrated in any IC technology. The chip is fabricated in 65nm LP CMOS process.