120 GHz Transceivers

We are offering two transceivers at 120 GHz: TRX_120_001 and TRA_120_002. There is a wideband version of the TRA_120_002 under development, called TRA_120_012.

1 General

1.1 What is the difference between the two ICs?

Both chips include send and receive antennas in a standard QFN package. The main difference lies in the antenna designs. While the TRX_120_001 uses tiny patch antennas on a separate "PCB" within the IC's package, the TRA_120_002 has its dipole antennas already included on the chip die. Therefore the packages are different in size and beam characteristics differ.

1.2 What is the minimum range or is there a blind spot?

The minimum range is dependent on the selected bandwidth. 1 GHz bandwidth works from about 30 cm, 6 GHz works from about 7 cm.

1.3 Can something be detected below the minimum range?

Going below the bandwidth-dictated minimum range leads to an increased DC-offset in the FFT output. It could be used to detect "something is nearby" but this is very application-specific.

1.4 What is the resolution of the chips?

We define the resolution as the ability to separate two objects in range. The resolution is only dependent on the selected bandwidth. With 1 GHz bandwidth the resolution is 15 cm, 6 GHz equals to 2,5 cm resolution. In practice, target recognition works from twice the resolution.

1.5 What is the maximum range?

The maximum range of our 120 GHz chips is always dependent on the target. Usually we can reach about 10 m without a lens and about 25 – 30 m with a lens.

1.6 Can I create a continous sweep of 6 GHz bandwidth?

The radar frontends can be used in discrete channel mode by selecting channels via the coarse tuning inputs. Since the tuning inputs are just varactor diodes, it is also possible to connect all tuning inputs together to get the full bandwidth of 6 GHz.

2 Specification

What is the size?

The TRX_120_001 is produced in a 8 mm x 8 mm QFN package. The TRA_120_002 comes in a 5 mm x 5 mm QFN package.