SiGe BiCMOS Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit Design

Lecture: Dr.-Ing. Sébastien Chartier
Exercise: M.Sc. Burak Güven Özat

M.Sc. Electrical Engineering University of Stuttgart
M.Sc.INFOTECH (Information Technology) University of Stuttgart

Day 1: Friday 14. Nov. 2025 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 15:45–17:15
Day 2: Friday 28. Nov. 2025 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 15:45–17:15
Day 3: Friday 12. Dec. 2025 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 15:45–17:15
Day 4: Friday 16. Jan. 2026 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 15:45–17:15
Day 5: Friday 30. Jan 2026 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 15:45–17:15

This lecture provides an in-depth description of fundamental circuit architectures and practical design considerations for silicon-based analog front-end circuits, primarily utilizing SiGe HBT and BiCMOS technologies in modern Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar applications, including automotive radar. After an introduction covering the historical overview, capabilities, applications, and state-of-the-art of SiGe BiCMOS technology and FMCW Radar system architectures, a detailed description of the silicon-based front-end components will follow, including an analysis of microwave bipolar transistors, design and modeling of passive components on silicon substrate (such as inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines), and the circuit design of key active blocks like Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNA), various Mixer topologies, different types of Oscillators (e.g., LC-Tank and Ring), and Frequency Dividers, finally covering RF Switches, Attenuators, and Phase Shifters (Vector Modulators). This lecture is intended to be a follow-up to the lecture Microwave Analog Frontend Design part 1 in the summer term, which focuses on the theory of frequency-converting circuits and their implementation in compound semiconductor technologies. The lecturer reserves the right to alter the contents of the course without prior notification.

Part 1: Introduction
1. Historical Overview
2. Circuit Capabilities of SiGe BiCMOS
3. Applications of SiGe BiCMOS Technology
4. State-of-the-Art and Emerging Demonstrator Circuits

Part 2: FMCW Radar
1. Introduction to Sensing
2. Introduction to FMCW Radar
3. FMCW Radar System Architecture
4. Signal Processing for FMCW Radar
5. Practical Design Considerations for FMCW Radar
6. Advanced Topics in FMCW Radar
7. Case Studies and Applications
8. Future Trends in FMCW Radar Technology

Part 3: SiGe BiCMOS Technology
1. Microwave Bipolar Transistors
2. Homojunction Bipolar Transistor
3. Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor 

Part 4: Passive components on Silicon Substrate
1. Introduction to Passive Components in SiGe BiCMOS MMICs
2. Integrated Inductors on Silicon
3. Integrated Capacitors on Silicon
4. Transmission Lines on Silicon
5. Couplers on Silicon Substrate
6. Integrated Baluns on Silicon
7.  Modeling Approaches for Passive Components on Silicon
8. Practical Layout Guidelines and Pitfalls for Integration on Silicon

Part 5: Low-Noise Amplifier Design
1. Introduction to LNA
2. LNA Design

Part 6: Mixer
1. Introduction to Mixer
2. Emitter-coupled Logic and two-quadrant multiplier
3. Image Reject Mixer
4. Subharmonic pumped mixer (SHM)
5. Current-Reuse and Low-Power Mixers
6. Class AB mixer - The Micromixer
7. Feedforward-linearized BJT mixer
8. Double-Balanced Ring Diode Mixer
9. LO Buffer Design and Considerations

Part 7: Oscillator
1. Introduction to Oscillator
2. Oscillation Analysis
3. Bipolar Based Oscillator Analysis
4. Colpitts Oscillators
5. Hartley Oscillators
6. Other LC-Tank Oscillators
7. Cross-Coupled LC Oscillators
8. Ring Oscillators
9. Push-push Oscillators
10. Quadrature Oscillators

Part 8: Frequency Dividers
1. Dynamic Frequency Dividers
2. Static Frequency Dividers
3. Injection-Locked Frequency Dividers

Part 9: Switches, Attenuators and Phase Shifters
1. RF Switches
2. Attenuators
3. Vector Modulator