A 40 Gbps QAM-16 communication link using a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS process

In this work a high data rate transmitter and receiver link is presented using a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS process. The communication link has demonstrated transmissions up to 40 Gbps QAM-16 at D-band (110-170 GHz) over a one meter polymer microwave fiber (PMF). The peak output power of the transmitter (Tx) is 3 dBm at 135 GHz and the 3-dB bandwidth of both Tx and receiver (Rx) is between 115 - 145 GHz, resulting in a 30 GHz bandwidth. Total chip area for Tx and Rx combined, including pads, is 4.2 mm2