120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

Silicon Radar GmbHIm Technologiepark 1
15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
Germany
fon +49.335.557 17 74
fax +49.335.557 10 50
https://www.siliconradar.com

TRXˍ120ˍ001
120-GHz Highly Integrated IQ Transceiver with Antennas in Package
in Silicon Germanium Technology

Data Sheet
Status:Date:

Author:Filename:Final

2018-11-13

Silicon Radar GmbH

DatasheetˍTRXˍ120ˍ001ˍV1.4

Version:

Product number:

Package:

Marking:

Page:

1.4

TRXˍ120ˍ001

QFN56, 8 × 8 mm²

TRX001YYWW

1 of 16-1-

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

Version Control
Version
0.6

Changed section
template

0.7

1.1
1.2
1.3

pin configuration
ratings, figures,
measurement results
block diagram
figure 4: Antenna Position
3.2 Pin description

1.4

6.2 Power Cycling
1 Features

1.0

Description of change
added sections version control anddocument releaserevisedadded section ‘Reliability… ‘, revised
section ‘Application’typo fixed
pin assignment corrected
pin 17 , pwrˍtx is renamed to control
input (instead of enable input)
Application hint added

Reason for change
controlled document

package depiction updated

routinely revision-2-

routinely revision
finalize document
routinely revision
correction
correction
update120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

Table of Contents
1

Features ................................................................................................................................ 4

1.1
1.2

Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Applications.............................................................................................................................................. 42
3

Block Diagram ....................................................................................................................... 5
Pin Configuration .................................................................................................................. 6

3.1
3.2

Pin Assignment ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Pin Description ......................................................................................................................................... 6

4

Specification.......................................................................................................................... 7

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

Absolute Maximum Ratings ..................................................................................................................... 7
Operating Range ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Thermal Resistance .................................................................................................................................. 7
Electrical Characteristics .......................................................................................................................... 8

5

Packaging .............................................................................................................................. 9

5.1
5.2
5.3

Outline Dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 9
Package Code ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Antenna Position ...................................................................................................................................... 96

Application.......................................................................................................................... 10

6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5

Application Circuit Schematic ................................................................................................................ 10Power Cycling ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Evaluation Boards .................................................................................................................................. 10
Input / Output Stages............................................................................................................................. 11
VCO Tuning Inputs.................................................................................................................................. 11

7
8

Reliability and Environmental Test ...................................................................................... 12
Measurement Results.......................................................................................................... 13-3-

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

1Features
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1.1

Radar front end (RFE) with antennas in package for 122-GHz ISM bandSingle supply voltage of 3.3 V
Fully ESD protected device
Low power consumption of 380 mW
in continuous operating mode
Duty cycling possible
Integrated low phase noise push-push VCO
Receiver with homodyne quadrature mixer
RX and TX patch antennas
Wide bandwidth of up to 7 GHz
QFN56 leadless plastic package 8 × 8 mm²
Package partly molded, MSL3 rated
Pb-free, RoHS compliant package
IC is available as bare die as well (without antennas)

Overview

The RFE is an integrated transceiver circuit for the 122-GHz ISM band with antennas in package. It includes a lownoise amplifier (LNA), quadrature mixers, a poly-phase filter, a voltage controlled oscillator, divide-by-32 outputs
and transmit and receive antennas (see Figure 1). The RF signal from the oscillator is directed to the RX path via
buffer circuits. The RX signal is amplified by the LNA and converted to baseband by two mixers with quadrature
local oscillator (LO). The 120-GHz LO has four analog tuning inputs with different tuning ranges and tuning slopes.
The tuning inputs can be combined to obtain a wide frequency tuning range. The analog tuning inputs together
with integrated frequency divider and external fractional-N PLL can be used for frequency modulated continuous
wave (FMCW) radar operation. With fixed oscillator frequency it can be used in continuous wave (CW) mode. Other
modulation schemes are possible as well by utilizing analog tuning inputs.
The IC is fabricated in SG13S SiGe BiCMOS technology of IHP GmbH.

1.2

Applications

The main field of application for the 120-GHz transceiver radar frontend is in short range radar systems with a range
up to about 10 meters. By using dielectric lenses, the range can be increased considerably. The RFE can be used in
FMCW mode as well as in CW mode. Although the chip is intended for use in the ISM band 122 GHz - 123 GHz, it isalso possible to extend the bandwidth to the full tuning range of 7 GHz.

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120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

2

Figure 1

Block Diagram

Block Diagram-5-

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

3

Pin Configuration

3.1

Pin Assignment

Figure 2

3.2

Pin assignment (QFN56, top view)

Pin Description

Table 1
Pin
No.
1-6
7
8
9 - 15

Pin Description
Description
Name
NC
Not connected
divp
Divider output, 50 Ω, DC coupled, external decoupling capacitor required.
divn
Divider output, 50 Ω, DC coupled, external decoupling capacitor required.
X
Reserved. Do not make any connections.
Divider enable input (enable = 1.2 V, off = 0), NMOS input, external pull-up resistor of 100 kΩ
16
diven
recommended.
Transmitter power control input (normal = 1.2 V, -3 dB = 0), NMOS input, external pull-up resistor
17
pwrˍtxof 100 kΩ recommended.
18
Vt3
VCO tuning input 3 (0 – VCC)
19
Vt2
VCO tuning input 2 (0 – VCC)
20
Vt1
VCO tuning input 1 (0 – VCC)21
Vt0
VCO tuning input 0 (0 – VCC)
22IFˍQp
IF Q output, positive terminal (DC coupled)
23
IFˍQn
IF Q output, negative terminal (DC coupled)
24
IFˍIn
IF I output, negative terminal (DC coupled)
25
IFˍIp
IF I output, positive terminal (DC coupled)
26
VCC
Supply voltage (3.3 V, 112 mA typ.)27, 28 NC
Not connected29, 30 GND
Ground pins, also connected to the exposed die attach pad.
31 - 56 NC
Not connected(57)
GND
Exposed die attach pad of the QFN package, must be soldered to ground.

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Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

4

Specification

4.1

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Attempted operation outside the absolute maximum ratings of the part may cause permanent damage to the part.
Actual performance of the IC is only guaranteed within the operational specifications, not at absolute maximum
ratings.
Table 2Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
SymbolMin
Max
Unit
Remarks / Condition
Supply voltage
VCC
3.6
V
to GND
DC voltage at tuning inputs
VVt-0.3
VCC + 0.3
V
Inputs Vt0, Vt1, Vt2, Vt3
DC voltage at enable inputs
VEN
-0.3
1.5
V
Inputs diven, pwrˍtx
Junction temperature
TJ
-50
150
°C
Storage temperature range
TSTG
150
°C
Floor life (out of bag) at factoryFL
168h
IPC/JEDEC J–STD-033A MSL Level 3
ambient (30°C / 60% RH)
Compliant 1)
ESD robustness
VESD
500
V
Human body model, HBM 2)
1) If the devices are stored outside of the packaging, beyond this time limit, the device should be baked before use. The
devices should be ramped up to a temperature of 125°C and baked for up to 12 hours.
2) CLASS 1A according to ESDA/JEDEC Joint Standard for Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity Testing, Human Body Model
Component Level, ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001-2011

4.2

Operating Range

Table 3Operating Range
Parameter
Ambient temperature
Supply voltage
DC voltage at tuning inputs
DC voltage at enable inputs

Symbol
TA
VCC
VVt
VEN

Min
-40
3.13
0
0

Max
85
3.47
VCC
1.2

Unit
°C
V
V
V

Remarks / Condition(3.3 V ± 5%)
Inputs Vt0 – Vt3
Inputs diven, pwrˍtx

Note: Do not drive input signals without power supplied to the device.

4.3

Thermal Resistance

Table 4
Thermal ResistanceParameter
Thermal resistance,
junction-to-ambient

Symbol

Min

Typ

Rthja

-7-

Max

Unit

Remarks / Condition

30

K/W

JEDEC JESD51-5

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

4.4

Electrical Characteristics

TA = -40°C to +85°C unless otherwise noted. Typical values measured at TA = 25°C and VCC = 3.3 V.
Table 5
Electrical Characteristics
Parameter
SymbolDC Parameters
Supply current consumption
ICC
Enable input voltage,
VENˍL
low level
Enable input voltage,
VENˍHhigh level
VCO tuning voltage
VVt
RF Parameters
VCO start frequency
fTX
VCO stop frequency
fTX
VCO tuning full bandwidth
ΔfTX
Number of adjustable frequency
bands
Pushing VCO
ΔfTX/ΔVCC
Phase noise
PN
Transmitter output power
PTX

Min

Typ

Max

Unit

Remarks / Condition

112

125

mA

TX on, CW mode

0

0.3

V

Inputs diven, pwrˍtx

0.9

1.2

V

Inputs diven, pwrˍtx

0

VCC

V

Inputs Vt0 – Vt3

120.8
127.3
7.5

GHz
GHz
GHz

Vt0 = Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt3 = 0
Vt0 = Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt3 = 3.3 V
Vt0 – Vt3 interconnected
Vt1 – Vt3 used for bandswitching

-88
1

MHz/V
dBc/Hz
dBm

117.8
124.3
5.5

-7

119.3
125.8
6.5
8
27
-90
-3

at 1 MHz offset
Measured without antennas,
V(pwrˍtx) = 1.2 V

Divider ratio of TX signal
Ndiv
64
Divider output power
Pdiv
-10
-7
dBm
Note 1Divider output frequency
fdiv
1.84
1.99
GHz
Receiver gain
810dB
Measured without antennas
IF frequency range
fIF
0
200
MHz
IF output impedance
ZOUT
500
Ω
Differential outputs
IQ amplitude imbalance3dB
IQ phase imbalance
-10
10
deg
Noise figure (DSB)
8.7
dB
Simulated, at fIF = 1 MHz
Input compression point
1dB ICP-20
dBm
Measured without antennas
Note 1:
Measured single-ended. Divider outputs are loaded with 50 Ω, external decoupling capacitors are required.
No 50-Ω match is required in application.

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120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

5

Packaging

5.1

Outline Dimensions

Dimensions in mm

Figure 3

5.2

Outline Dimensions of QFN56, 0.5 mm Pitch, 8 mm × 8 mm

Package Code

Top-Side Markings

5.3

Antenna Position

Figure 4

Antenna Position (top view)

TRX001YYWW-9-

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

6

Application

6.1

Application Circuit Schematic

Figure 5

6.2

Application Circuit

Power Cycling

It is possible to reduce power consumption by power cycling the radar front end. Rapid power cycling with voltage
rise times between 10 and 100 µs is possible. At power-up, it must be ensured that no input signal is driven highbefore the supply voltage is stable. At power-down, all input signals must be pulled low before the supply voltage
is switched off.

6.3

Evaluation Boards

For a quick and easy start into radar development Silicon Radar offers SiRad Easy®. It is an evaluation board system
for many of our integrated IQ transceivers with antennas in package or on PCB. It comes with a reference hardware
and provides a complete design environment which can be configured via a browser-based graphical user interface.
Its rich functionality and the open communication protocol make it a versatile tool – also for enhanced development
projects.
It features: Distance measurement
 Velocity measurement Frequency modulated continuous wave mode (FMCW) Continuous wave mode (CW)
For more information about the features of SiRad Easy® see:https://www.siliconradar.com- 10 -

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

6.4

Input / Output Stages

The following figures show the simplified circuits of the input and output stages. It is important that the voltage
applied to the input pins never exceeds VCC by more than 0.3 V. Otherwise, the supply current may be conducted
through the upper ESD protection diode connected at the pin.

Figure 6

Equivalent I/O Circuits

6.5

VCO Tuning Inputs

The VCO tuning inputs Vt0 – Vt3 are of analog nature, but can be switched digitally as well. The tuning inputs differ
in their tuning ranges (tuning bandwidth) and slopes, whereby Vt3 has the widest tuning range, and Vt0 thenarrowest.
Table 6
Input
Vt0
Vt1
Vt2
Vt3

Typical VCO Tuning Bandwidth and Slope
VCO tuning bandwidth (MHz)ΔfTXˍVt0
720
ΔfTXˍVt1
750
ΔfTXˍVt2
1580
ΔfTXˍVt3
3450

Middle band slope (MHz/V)
ΔfTX /ΔVVt0
290
ΔfTX /ΔVVt1
300
ΔfTX /ΔVVt2
630
ΔfTX /ΔVVt3
1380

The VCO tuning range of a specific tuning input can be increased by connecting it to another tuning input. All
combinations of the four tuning inputs are allowed. Unused tuning inputs must be set to a fixed potential (between
0 and VCC). The interconnection of all inputs Vt0 – Vt3 leads to the maximum tuning bandwidth. For example, if Vt0
is used as tuning input, the variation of the potential at Vt1, Vt2, Vt3 in all logical combinations of 0 and VCC, results
in offsetting the tuning curve (see Figure 10).

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120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

7

Reliability and Environmental Test

Table 7
Reliability and Environmental Test according to JEDEC Standards
Qualification Test
JEDEC Standard
Condition
MSL3
J-STD-020E
Reflow simulation 3 times at 260°C
ELFR
JESD22-A108
Running the burn-in, 48 h at 85°C in 7 runs
Temperature Cycling
JESD22-A104
850 cycles at -40°C … 125°C
HTSL
JESD22-A103
1,000 h at 150°C
HTOL
JESD22-A108
1,000 h at 85°C
THB
JESD22-A101
1,000 h at 85°C and 85% RH

Pass / Fail
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass
pass

Tp ≤ Tc = 260°C
tp ≤ 30 s
TS.min = 150°C
TS.max = 200°C
tS = 60 s – 120 s
TL = 217°C
tL = 60 s – 150 s
t25°C-to-Tp ≤ 480 s

Figure 7

Reflow Profile for Pb-Free Assembly according to JEDEC Standard J-STD-020E- 12 -

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

8

Measurement Results
12

116

8

Voltage Gain (dB)

Power Consumption (mA)

10
115

114

113

6
4
2

112

0
-20

Figure 8

-10

0

10

20 30 40 50
Temperature (°C)

60

70

80

90

-40

Power Consumption vs. Temperature

Figure 9

-25

-20

-15

-10

Measured Conversion Gain of the Receiver

127
126

126
000

125

125

001

124

010

123

011
100

122

101

121

110

120

111

124

Frequency (GHz)

Output Frequency (GHz)-30

Input Power (dBm)

127

123
122
121
120
119

119

118

118
0

Figure 10

0.5

1

1.5
2
Tuning Voltage (V)

2.5

3

0.0

3.5

VCO Tuning Curves. Vt0 is varied, while Vt1, Vt2
and Vt3 are driven high or low. For example, 011
means Vt3 = 0, Vt2 = 3.3 V, and Vt1 = 3.3 V.

Figure 11

124.2

127

124.0

126

123.8

125

123.6

124

Output Frequency (GHz)

Output Frequency (GHz)

-35

123.4
123.2
123.0
Vcc=3.6V
Vcc=3.3V
Vcc=3V

122.8
122.6

0.5

1.0

1.5
2.0
Tuning Voltage (V)

3.0

3.5

Full Bandwidth VCO Tuning.
Vt0, Vt1, Vt2, Vt3 are interconnected.
(Vt0 = Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt3)

123
122
121
Vcc=3.6V
Vcc=3.3V
Vcc=3V

120
119

122.4

2.5

118
0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

0.0

Tuning Voltage (V)Figure 12

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Tuning Voltage (V)VCO Pushing - VCC ± 300 mV
Vt0 = Sweep , Vt1 = Vt2 = 0, Vt3 = 3.3 V

Figure 13- 13 -VCO Pushing - Full Bandwidth Operation.
All tuning voltages, Vt0 = Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt3

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

127
126

Output Frequency (GHz)

125
124
123
122
121
Vcc=3.6V
Vcc=3.3V
Vcc=3V

120
119
118
0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Tuning Voltage (V)Phase Noise of the Integrated Oscillator Measured
at Divider Output (1.89GHz)

Figure 15

127

2

126

1

125

Normalized Output Power (dB)TX Output Frequency (GHz)

Figure 14

124
123
122
fout.min121

fout.max

120
119

VCO Pushing - Full Bandwidth Operation.
All tuning voltages, Vt0 = Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt3

0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6

118
117

-7
-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

-20

Temperature (°C)

Figure 16

Output Frequency vs. Temperature

Figure 17- 14 --100

10

20 30 40 50
Temperature (°C)

60

70

80

Output Power Swing vs. Temperature(Normalized to 20°C)

90120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13y-x
E - Plane measured along Y axis
H - Plane measured along X axis

Figure 18

Combined Radiation Pattern Measurements of TX and RX Patch Antennas

Measurements above are performed by using the TRXˍ120ˍ001 transceiver as an FMCW distance sensor by thehelp of its evaluation kit. A moving reflector around the axis is used as a target. Then, the strength of the IF signal
is measured and values are normalized to 0 degrees for each axis. Therefore, the pattern does not show a patternof single antenna, instead it gives the information of combined pattern of the TX and RX antennas in the QFN
package.

109Realized Gain (dBi)

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
RX Antenna
TX Antenna

1
0
110

Figure 19115

120Frequency (GHz)

125

130

Simulated Single Antenna Gain vs. Frequency(Broad Side Direction)- 15 -

120-GHz IQ Transceiver TRX_120_001
Data Sheet
Revision 1.4 2018-11-13

Disclaimer
Silicon Radar GmbH 2018. The information contained herein is subject to change at any time without notice.
Silicon Radar GmbH assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage or defect of a product which is caused in whole or in part by(i)use of any circuitry other than circuitry embodied in a Silicon Radar GmbH product,(ii)
misuse or abuse including static discharge, neglect, or accident,(iii)
unauthorized modifications or repairs which have been soldered or altered during assembly and are not capable of being tested by Silicon
Radar GmbH under its normal test conditions, or(iv)
improper installation, storage, handling, warehousing, or transportation, or(v)
being subjected to unusual physical, thermal, or electrical stress.
Disclaimer: Silicon Radar GmbH makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, with regard to this material, and specifically disclaims any and all express
or implied warranties, either in fact or by operation of law, statutory or otherwise, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for use or aparticular purpose, and any implied warranty arising from course of dealing or usage of trade, as well as any common-law duties relating to accuracy or lackof negligence, with respect to this material, any Silicon Radar product and any product documentation. Products sold by Silicon Radar are not suitable orintended to be used in a life support applications or components, to operate nuclear facilities, or in other mission critical applications where human life may
be involved or at stake. All sales are made conditioned upon compliance with the critical uses policy set forth below.
CRITICAL USE EXCLUSION POLICY: BUYER AGREES NOT TO USE SILICON RADAR GMBH'S PRODUCTS FOR ANY APPLICATIONS OR IN ANY COMPONENTS USED IN
LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR TO OPERATE NUCLEAR FACILITIES OR FOR USE IN OTHER MISSION-CRITICAL APPLICATIONS OR COMPONENTS WHERE HUMAN LIFEOR PROPERTY MAY BE AT STAKE.
Silicon Radar GmbH owns all rights, titles and interests to the intellectual property related to Silicon Radar GmbH's products, including any software, firmware,
copyright, patent, or trademark. The sale of Silicon Radar GmbH’s products does not convey or imply any license under patent or other rights. Silicon Radar
GmbH retains the copyright and trademark rights in all documents, catalogs and plans supplied pursuant to or ancillary to the sale of products or services by
Silicon Radar GmbH. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Silicon Radar GmbH, any reproduction, modification, translation, compilation, or representationof this material shall be strictly prohibited.

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