A 117.5-155-GHz SiGe ×12 Frequency Multiplier Chain With Push-Push Doublers and a Gilbert Cell-Based Tripler.

In this work, we present a fully integrated $D$ -band $\times$ 12 SiGe-based frequency multiplier chain. It comprises two frequency doubling and one frequency tripling stage. Each stage uses an architecture that ensures high harmonic rejection at its output and, thus, ultimately, at $D$ -band frequencies. The focus of this work is on describing the generation and propagation of harmonic components in the multiplier chain. Measurements show a maximum output power of 3.5 dBm and a 3-dB bandwidth of 37.5 GHz covering the range from 117.5 to 155 GHz. Over the entire $D$ -band, the output power varies by 9 dB. The power consumption equals 0.64 W. The harmonic rejection at the center frequency is approximately 24.5 dBc and within the 3-dB bandwidth, always above 19.5 dBc.