FirstTo6G – Fourier-domain TRx solutions enabling widespread realisation of 6G

FirstTo6G aims to develop the globally first 6G TRx technology, i.e., data converters and corresponding sub-THz frontends with extremely wide modulation bandwidth at high signal quality, high energy efficiency, and low cost.

Using a novel breakthrough microchip architecture that integrates Fourier domain digital-to-analogue and analogue-to-digital converters with new front-end technologies, we will develop data converters with up to 16 GHz modulation bandwidth and extremely low power consumption, implemented in a commercial, low-cost 22 nm semiconductor technology.

We will also develop state-of-the-art frontend technology and integrate both parts to two full TRx solutions with unprecedented capabilities.

The TRx for the frequencies <100 GHz will deliver 8 GHz of modulation bandwidth and will be realised in a monolithically integrated chip. The TRx for the frequency range of 130-175 GHz will deliver 16 GHz of modulation bandwidth and will integrate on PCB the data converters and the SiGe frontends using advanced packaging technologies. The D-band frontend will be designed based on a fully automated design flow.

Key exploitable FirstTo6G results include designs for new technical concepts for data converters and the frontend, integration of high-performance TRx components in a single chip and automation algorithms for the design of frontends.

FirstTo6G is on a path to a commercially viable solution

We will use these results to develop and directly commercialise high performance mm-wave / early 6G products, as a basis for further research, or to spin-off new businesses.

By making the widespread realisation of 6G possible, we will enable the highly positive contribution to prosperity of society which 6G will ultimately have.

Critical technical knowledge will be developed and exploited in Europe by strongly growing SMEs, which will grow the communication microelectronics provider landscape, bolster the European microelectronics ecosystem and strengthen European technological sovereignty.

Background publications

1.

Öjefors, E., Dancila, D., Aziz, I., Hanning, J.

An integrated circuit package comprising a crossed dipole antenna.

(2023). https://patents.google.com/patent/EP4044366B1

2.

HANAY, O.

Circuit arrangement and method for generating a radio-frequency, analogue transmission signal using reduced interference signals.

(2022). https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3411955B1

3.

Chen, X., Wei, M.-D., Negra, R.

Influence of Amplitude and Phase Imbalance on a Y-band Bootstrapped Frequency Doubler using 130-nm SiGe Technology.

in 2022 17th Conference on Ph.D Research in Microelectronics and Electronics (PRIME) 5–8 (IEEE, 2022). doi: 10.1109/PRIME55000.2022.9816785

4.

Yildon, S. D., Tuncel, U., Topaloglu, S.

A 24 GHz RFIC Power Amplifier Design in 0.25-um GaAs pHEMT Process.

in 2022 30th Signal Processing and Communications Applications Conference (SIU) 1–4 (IEEE, 2022). doi: 10.1109/SIU55565.2022.9864767

5.

Hanay, O., Bierbuesse, D., Negra, R.

17.6 dB Variable-Gain and Variable-Bandwidth Upconverter in 65 nm CMOS for 60 GHz Bands.

in 2021 16th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference (EuMIC) 249–252 (IEEE, 2022). doi: 10.23919/EuMIC50153.2022.9784041

6.

Hanay, O., Bayram, E., Hamed, A., Negra, R.

FDDAC-based Transmitter with 2 GHz Modulation Bandwidth and 8 Gbit/s Data Rate.

in ESSCIRC 2021 - IEEE 47th European Solid State Circuits Conference (ESSCIRC) 507–510 (IEEE, 2021). doi: 10.1109/ESSCIRC53450.2021.9567775

7.

Aziz, I. et al.

Broadband Fan-out Phased Antenna Array at 28 GHz for 5G Applications.

in 2020 50th European Microwave Conference (EuMC) 212–215 (IEEE, 2021). doi: 10.23919/EuMC48046.2021.9338060

8.

Hanay, O. et al.

Fourier-Domain DAC-Based Wireless Transmitter With Up To 2-GHz Modulation Bandwidth.

IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques 69, 2870–2884 (2021). doi: 10.1109/TMTT.2021.3067016

9.

Franzese, A. et al.

Ultra Broadband Low-Power 70 GHz Active Balun in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS.

in 2020 IEEE BiCMOS and Compound Semiconductor Integrated Circuits and Technology Symposium (BCICTS) 1–4 (IEEE, 2020). doi: 10.1109/BCICTS48439.2020.9392960

10.

Franzese, A. et al.

Ultra Broadband Low-Power 70 GHz Active Balun in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS.

in 2020 IEEE BiCMOS and Compound Semiconductor Integrated Circuits and Technology Symposium (BCICTS) 1–4 (IEEE, 2020). doi: 10.1109/BCICTS48439.2020.9392960

11.

Vrysas, K., Frantzeskakis, E., Sfikas, G.

Digital power amplifier with filtered output.

(2020). https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2020025070A1

12.

Bierbuesse, D., Negra, R.

60 GHz variable Gain & Linearity Enhancement LNA in 65 nm CMOS.

in 2020 IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium (RFIC) 163–166 (IEEE, 2020). doi: 10.1109/RFIC49505.2020.9218337

13.

Aziz, I. et al.

Broadband Connected Slots Phased Array Feeding a High Gain Lens Antenna at 60 GHz.

in 2019 49th European Microwave Conference (EuMC) 718–721 (IEEE, 2019). doi: 10.23919/EuMC.2019.8910856

14.

Bayram, E., Aref, A. F., Saeed, M., Negra, R.

1.5–3.3 GHz, 0.0077 mm2, 7 mW All-Digital Delay-Locked Loop With Dead-Zone Free Phase Detector in $0.13~\mu \text{m}$ CMOS.

IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers 65, 39–50 (2018). doi: 10.1109/TCSI.2017.2715899

15.

Hamed, A., Habibpour, O., Saeed, M., Zirath, H., Negra, R.

W-Band Graphene-Based Six-Port Receiver.

IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters 28, 347–349 (2018). doi: 10.1109/LMWC.2018.2808416

16.

Ojefors, E. et al.

A 57-71 GHz Beamforming SiGe Transceiver for 802.11 ad-Based Fixed Wireless Access.

in 2018 IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium (RFIC) 276–279 (IEEE, 2018). doi: 10.1109/RFIC.2018.8428976

17.

Frantzeskakis, E. et al.

Digital phase-locked loop with wide capture range, low phase noise, and reduced spurs.

(2014). https://patents.google.com/patent/US8686771B2/

FirstTo6G has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and its members under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, SNS JU or SERI. Neither the European Union nor the granting authorities can be held responsible for them.

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