Integration
of Microwave Performance
into Advanced CMOS
Technology
D01: Project presentation
(Word
/ Powerpoint)
D02: Dissemination
and Use plan
(pdf-file)
FINAL REPORT
(pdf-file)
Summary
The IMPACT project aims at pushing CMOS technology
for its use in products operating well into the microwave radio frequencies
(5-20 GHz). This will be achieved by fabricating demonstrator devices and
circuits within advanced 100 nm CMOS process technology. The overall technological
result from this project will be the realisation of an early knowledge
and development basis for future high-frequency CMOS applications. The
key technical and scientific objectives are: (1) to evaluate the added
value of CMOS technology for microwave circuits in the 5 to 20 GHz frequency
range, (2) to develop and implement analogue compact models for active
and passive components for frequencies up to 50 GHz and (3) to develop
and integrate active and passive devices suited for high-frequency applications
in advanced CMOS technology.
Objectives
The prime objective of IMPACT is the design and fabrication
of microwave circuits within advanced 100nm CMOS process technology. Realising
this project goal requires activities in three key areas. First, design
work is needed to define demonstrator devices and circuits that represent
the application domain of microwave CMOS technology. Second, in order for
this design activity to be sufficiently accurate and predictive, compact
models need to be developed that properly describe the high-frequency behaviour
of all circuit elements. And third, active and passive devices need to
be defined and integrated, not only to electrically test the validity and
accuracy of the compact models, but also to fabricate the demonstrator
circuits. In order to capture this natural subdivision of the project,
three workpackages have been defined: circuit design, modelling, and process
optimisation. At the start of this project, existing 100nm front-end technology
will be used to obtain model parameters for active devices. Similarly,
a first model description of passive devices will be derived from earlier
integration and modelling experience. Using this information, and in successive
iterative loops, the CMOS technology will be optimised using the input
obtained from the design and modelling groups. At the end of the project,
an optimised CMOS technology for microwave frequency operation will be
available together with improved models for active and passive devices
and optimised design methodologies for microwave circuits and systems.
Duration
of the project
The IMPACT project started September 1, 2001 and initially runned for
39 months until the end of November 2004. The total effort within
IMPACT amounts to 648,5 person*month. A project extension of 6 months was
granted by the European Commission. The official end date of the program
was now May 31, 2005.
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