What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop a four-channel beamformer that maintains performance despite temperature variations in 5G and satellite applications.

April 12, 2026Open Access

A K-Band Four-Channel Beamformer with Temperature Compensation Based on 65 nm CMOS Process

Key Points

The aim is to develop a four-channel beamformer that maintains performance despite temperature variations in 5G and satellite applications.
Design of a four-channel phased array beamformer using 65 nm CMOS technology.
Integration of RF channels with receive and transmit chains, including multiple amplifiers and phase shifters.
Implementation of temperature compensation using attenuators to enhance performance over a range of temperatures.
Performance measurements conducted across operating frequencies of 19–23 GHz for receive mode and 21–23 GHz for transmit mode.
Gain from 0–4.5 dB in receive mode and 6–10 dB in transmit mode.
Noise figure measured under 7.8 dB and phase errors below 3.5°.
Gain variations remained within 0.8 dB and 0.4 dB for receive and transmit modes, respectively, across a temperature range of −55 °C to 85 °C.
Chip dimensions are compact at 3.5 × 4.8 mm2 with power consumption of 110 mW (receive) and 190 mW (transmit) per channel.

Abstract

This paper presents a K-band four-channel phased array beamformer with temperature compensation in 65 nm CMOS for 5G and satellite communications. The beamformer includes a four-way power divider/combiner, four RF channels, and digital control circuits. Each RF channel comprises a receive chain, a transmit chain, and a pair of receive/transmit (TX/RX) single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches. The receive chain consists of a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a six-bit reflective-type phase shifter (RTPS), a drive amplifier (DA), two temperature-compensation attenuators (TCAs), and a six-bit attenuator (ATT); the transmit chain integrates a power amplifier (PA), two TCAs, a six-bit RTPS, a DA, and a six-bit ATT. Measurements show the chip exhibits 0–4.5 dB gain, noise figure (NF) 6.5 dBm. In addition, the receive and transmit gain variations are within 0.8 dB and 0.4 dB, respectively, when temperature ranges from −55 °C to 85 °C. With a compact footprint of 3.5 × 4.8 mm2, the beamformer consumes 110 mW (receive) and 190 mW (transmit) DC power per channel.

A K-Band Four-Channel Beamformer with Temperature Compensation Based on 65 nm CMOS Process

Key Points

Abstract

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