A Compact Reconfigurable Power Splitter Enabling a Full-Duplex Integrated Transceiver Employed for Joint Communication and Radar Sensing

Abstract

This paper introduces a reconfigurable power splitter that enables the implementation of a co-designed integrated front-end for Transceivers (TRx) towards Joint Communication and radar Sensing (JC&S) applications. Unlike the previous works, this work offers a flexible, compact, full-duplex, and fully-integrated solution in CMOS technologies with the help of a transformer-based power splitter, mm-wave switches, and digital control signals. For the proof of concept, the proposed reconfigurable power splitter is implemented on a silicon die in 22 nm FD-SOI technology within a compact core area of 0.1mm ² . S-parameter measurements were carried out in K-band, the frequency range at which the power splitter is tuned. Finally, this work reports the achieved results in every possible mode of a JC&S system.