Design of Single Chip X-Band RF Front End

Abstract
''Microwave front-end modules, specifically the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar transmit / receive (T/R) modules, are indispensable components in airborne radar systems’ performance. To improve these radar systems’ overall capability, it is essential to achieve optimal performance and reduce module size, which allows for the incorporation of more modules in the same space. This master’s thesis aims to design a single-chip X-band RF front-end module for radar systems that demonstrates optimal performance with minimum size using the latest GaN technology, with a gate length of 0.12 μm, from Win Semiconductors. The single chip RF front-end T/R module designed to operate between 9.5~11 GHz is consisting of a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), and a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch. The two-stage PA, designed using power splitting/combining topology, has a simulated power added efficiency (PAE) of 50.1%, large signal gain of 24.8 dB, and output power of 37.8 dBm at 10 GHz. The LNA, designed using source inductive degeneration topology, exhibits a simulated small signal gain of 22.5 dB and a noise figure (NF) of 1.01 dB at 10 GHz. The SPDT switch designed using one series and two shunt transistors in each arm with insertion loss of less than 0.9 dB and isolation of 30 dB. A Single Chip RF Front End (SCFE) module have been designed by integrating the PA, LNA and SPDT. The designed RF front-end module showcases a simulated PAE of 40.6 %, large signal gain of 23.4 dB , and output power of 37.4 dBm during transmit mode and a small signal gain of 21.6 dB and NF of 1.7 dB during receive mode at 10 GHz. However, over a bandwidth of 1.5 GHz, SCFE exhibits minimum PAE of 34.2%, gain of 23 dB and output power of 37.2 dBm during transmit mode and gain of 21.2 dB and maximum NF of 1.86 during receive mode. Additionally, a layout prototype of SCFE with a total area of 4.2 mm x 3.1 mm ready for tape-out fabrication is presented. The designed SCFE is a promising candidate for the T/R module for the next generation AESA radar systems, as supported by the comparative analysis presented in this thesis.''