Multilayer W-Band Transmit Elements For Scalable Millimeter-Wave Arrays

A 5-layer and 97 GHz (W-band) single element vertical transmit (Tx) integrated circuit is demonstrated that incorporates a 4-stage Gain and Power amplifier, 4-bit phase shifter, and 4-bit serial to parallel digital controller, within an ultra compact 1.28 mm(3) volume (1.6 x 1.6 x 0.5 mm(3)). The multilayer Tx integrated circuit demonstrates >10 dB gain, with >12 dB input and output return loss. For the first time, a compact and heterogeneously integrated three-dimensional (3D) multilayer module is demonstrated with unprecedented millimeter-wave functional density. The attainment of this technology is anticipated to result in enormous improvement of size, weight, performance, and cost of future military systems that operate at millimeter-wave frequencies.