Microsoft Word - tmtt_thian

This paper presents holistic design of a novel 4-way differential power-combining transformer for use in mm-wave power-amplifier (PA). The combiner with an inner radius of 25 um exhibits a record low insertion loss of 1.25 dB at 83.5 GHz. It is designed to simultaneously act as a balanced-to-unbalanced converter, removing the need for additional BALUNs typically required in differential circuits. A complete circuit comprised of a power splitter, two-stage differential cascode PA array, a power combiner as well as input and output matching elements was designed and realized in SiGe technology with fT/fmax 170/250 GHz. Measured small-signal gain of at least 16.8 dB was obtained from 76.4 GHz to 85.3 GHz with a peak 19.5 dB at 83 GHz. The prototype delivered 12.5 dBm output referred 1 dB compression point and 14 dBm saturated output power when operated from a 3.2 V DC supply voltage at 78 GHz.