Mobile broadband system (MBS): Trends and impact on 60 GHz band MMIC development

The RACE mobile broadband system (MBS) project aims to extend the broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) to mobile users. To meet the future demand for broadband wireless picocell networks, frequencies have been allocated in the 62–63 and 65–66 GHz bands.However, for the use of a mobile broadband system to become widespread it is necessary to develop relatively low cost transceivers based on millimetre wave GaAs P-HEMT MMICs. A transceiver architecture and elementary building blocks have been defined. 60 GHz transistor models have been refined and circuit design, layout and simulation achieved. Future cost decrease is a function of the MMIC manufacturing yield, since a high yield allows a higher layout density and consequently fewer MMICs per transceiver, and of the improvement in packaging techniques above 60 GHz.