Feng-Wei Kuo

High-performance integrated fan-out wafer level packaging (InFO-WLP): Technology and system integration

Integrated fan-out wafer-level packaging (InFO-WLP) technology with state-of-the-art inductors (quality factor of 42 and self-resonance frequency of 16 GHz) has been demonstrated for heterogeneous integration of digital and radio frequency (RF) systems. InFO-WLP promises superior form factor, pin count, and thermal performance to existing flip-chip ball grid array (FC-BGA) packages. In addition, InFO-WLPs high Q inductors can enhance electrical performance and lower power consumption in RF circuit applications.

A Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) transceiver with TX/RX switchable on-chip matching network, 2.75mW high-IF discrete-time receiver, and 3.6mW all-digital transmitter

We present a new ultra-low-power (ULP) transceiver for Internet-of-Things (IoT) optimized for 28-nm CMOS. The receiver (RX) employs a high-rate (up to 10 GS/s) discrete-time (DT) architecture with intermediate frequency (IF) placed beyond the 1/f noise corner of MOS devices. New multistage multi-rate charge-sharing bandpass filters are adapted to achieve high out-of-band linearity, low noise and low power consumption. A transmitter (TX) employs an all-digital PLL (ADPLL) with switched-current-source digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) and switching PA. An integrated on-chip matching network serves both PA and LNTA, thus allowing a 1-pin direct antenna connection with no external antenna filters. The transceiver consumes 2.75mW in RX and 3.6mW in TX when delivering 0 dBm in Bluetooth LE.

A Fully Integrated Bluetooth Low-Energy Transmitter in 28 nm CMOS With 36% System Efficiency at 3 dBm

We propose a new transmitter architecture for ultra-low power radios in which the most energy-hungry RF circuits operate at a supply just above a threshold voltage of CMOS transistors. An all-digital PLL employs a digitally controlled oscillator with switching current sources to reduce supply voltage and power without sacrificing its startup margin. It also reduces 1/f noise and supply pushing, thus allowing the ADPLL, after settling, to reduce its sampling rate or shut it off entirely during a direct DCO data modulation. The switching power amplifier integrates its matching network while operating in class-E/F2 to maximally enhance its efficiency at low voltage. The transmitter is realized in 28 nm digital CMOS and satisfies all metal density and other manufacturing rules. It consumes 3.6 mW/5.5 mW while delivering 0 dBm/3 dBm RF power in Bluetooth Low-Energy mode.

A 12mW all-digital PLL based on class-F DCO for 4G phones in 28nm CMOS

We propose a new architecture of an all-digital PLL (ADPLL) for advanced cellular radios that is optimized for 28 nm CMOS. It is based on a wide tuning range, fine-resolution class-F DCO with only switchable metal capacitors and a phase-predictive TDC. The 8mW DCO emits -157 dBc/Hz at 20MHz offset at ~2 GHz, while fully satisfying metal density rules. The 0.4mW TDC clocked at 40MHz achieves PVT-stabilized 6 ps resolution for -108 dBc/Hz in-band phase noise. FREF spur is ultra-low at <;-94 dBc. The ADPLL supports a 2-point modulation and consumes 12mW while occupying 0.22mm2, thus demonstrating both 72% power and 38% area reductions over prior records.

A Bluetooth Low-Energy Transceiver With 3.7-mW All-Digital Transmitter, 2.75-mW High-IF Discrete-Time Receiver, and TX/RX Switchable On-Chip Matching Network

We present an ultra-low-power Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) transceiver (TRX) for the Internet of Things (IoT) optimized for digital 28-nm CMOS. A transmitter (TX) employs an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) with a switched current-source digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) featuring low frequency pushing, and class-E/F₂ digital power amplifier (PA), featuring high efficiency. Low 1/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation=LaTeX>

A fully integrated 28nm Bluetooth Low-Energy transmitter with 36% system efficiency at 3dBm

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System Design of a 2.75-mW Discrete-Time Superheterodyne Receiver for Bluetooth Low Energy

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Power saving and noise reduction of 28nm CMOS RF system integration using integrated fan-out wafer level packaging (InFO-WLP) technology

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A 4.4mW-TX, 3.6 mW-RX Fully Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy Transceiver for IoT Applications

</tex-math></inline-formula> noise corner of MOS devices. New multistage multirate charge-sharing bandpass filters are adapted to achieve high out-of-band linearity, low noise, and low power consumption. An integrated on-chip matching network serves to both PA and low-noise transconductance amplifier, thus allowing a 1-pin direct antenna connection with no external band-selection filters. The TRX consumes 2.75 mW on the RX side and 3.7 mW on the TX side when delivering 0 dBm in BLE.

A 4GHz clock distribution architecture using subharmonically injection-locked coupled oscillators with clock skew calibration in 16nm CMOS

We propose a new transmitter (TX) architecture for ultra-low power radios. An all-digital PLL employs a digitally controlled oscillator with switching current sources to reduce supply voltage and power without sacrificing its phase noise and startup margins. It also reduces 1/f noise allowing the ADPLL, after settling, to reduce its sampling rate or shut it off entirely during direct DCO data modulation. The switching power amplifier integrates its matching network while operating in class-E/F2 to maximally enhance its efficiency. The transmitter is realized in 28nm CMOS and satisfies all metal density and other manufacturing rules. It consumes 3.6 mW/5.5mW while delivering 0dBm/3 dBm RF power in Bluetooth Low-Energy.