THz Impulse and Frequency Comb Generation Using Reverse Recovery of PIN Diode

Summary

UCLA researchers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed an antenna design procedure that can realize devices with beam scanning at a fixed frequency on a single element antenna.

Background

Broadband pulse generation has a wide range of applications such as high-speed communication, high-resolution radars, spectroscopy, and remote sensing. Techniques to increase bandwidth and radiation power have generated great interest in terahertz (THz) and mm-wave research but are hindered by the limitations of silicon-based technologies. Methods to overcome these limitations have included the use of dynamic pulse generation but programming the phase and amplitude of tones at mm-wave/THz frequencies requires complex circuit blocks. Step-Recovery-Diodes (SRD) are popular for harmonic generation and frequency multipliers due to their ultra-sharp reverse recovery, yet SRDs are not available in silicon processes typically used in THz frequency generation devices. There is a need for SRD available in silicon processes for THz and mm-wave generation.

Innovation

UCLA researchers have demonstrated a PIN diode-based THz pulse radiator implemented in a silicon-based process for broadband pulse generation. In this inventionthe reverse-recovery of a PIN diode is used to generate THz-pulses (wideband frequency comb), which are radiated through a wideband on-chip antenna. When used in an on-chip slot bow-tie antenna the THz pulse radiator demonstrated an efficiency above 60% over the band of radiation. The disclosed invention demonstrates higher radiation power at frequencies above 300 GHz, a flatter average ERIP spectrum, and lower power consumption (<50x) compared to the current state of the art THz broadband pulse generation.

Applications

• High-speed communication 
• High-resolution radars 
• Spectroscopy 
• Remote sensing

Advantages

• Higher radiation power at frequencies above 300 GHz 
• Flatter average ERIP spectrum 
• Lower power consumption

Patent Status