260 GHz spatially combined transmitter with a V-band distributed OOK modulator

Abstract

A 260 GHz on-off keying (OOK) transmitter (Tx) is presented with distributed switches in V-band fundamental signal path in 65 nm CMOS. Aiming at OOK modulation operating upto 20 Gb/s, distributed switches are integrated in the driving chain to suppress transient ringing from a LC tank in the PA where the modulated input directly switches the Tx output without information distortion. The spatially combined transmitter with on-chip antenna demonstrates upto 14 Gb/s of modulation speed with +5 dBm of equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) at f_r = 246 GHz.