Power efficient full-duplex front-end with mixed-signal functionality for K-/Ka-band shared aperture active antenna arrays

Abstract

This work is the first example of a full-duplex transmit/receive front-end for K/Ka-band satellite communication phased arrays. The implemented monolithic design integrates one receive and two transmit channels with a mixed-signal control unit. The channels are combined into a common port through a novel duplexer with high isolation and small area consumption. The radio frequency channels are controlled through a serial bus providing high flexibility through the configuration of the bias currents, the active channels, and the power amplifier mode of operation. Full amplitude and phase control are provided for each channel with fine granularity. The use of a Doherty power amplifier with a novel dynamic adaptive bias circuit led to a 31% reduction of the total dc array power consumption in a theoretical array with 15726 Tx and 10732 Rx elements.