A 272 GHz InP HBT Direct-Conversion Transmitter with 14.1 dBm Output Power

We report a fully integrated 272 GHz direct-conversion transmitter in 250nm InP HBT technology. The transmitter has more than 18 dB conversion gain over 264-285 GHz, consumes 1.6W, and has 14.1dBm output power at 272 GHz. Its -3 dB bandwidth is 18 GHz, while its -6 dB bandwidth is 36 GHz. An internal 8:1 active frequency multiplier generates the local oscillator. To the authors' knowledge, the IC demonstrates record saturated output power for an integrated transmitter operating near 272 GHz.