This talk will describe how advanced CMOS processes are changing the landscape of wireless and optical communication technologies. Emerging millimeter-wave applications require antenna arrays with RF front-ends that need additional functionality without sacrificing power efficiency. Our group has recently reported several novel circuit techniques including constructive wave amplifiers to realize bidirectional millimeter-wave front-ends and efficient power amplifiers in 45-nm Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) CMOS.
Additionally, high-speed (>10 Gb/s) silicon photonic circuitry for chip-to-chip communication will be discussed. New optical wireline systems are proposed through the development of photonic devices compatible with standard silicon processes. Our research group is investigating channel coding for silicon microring resonators in 130-nm SOI CMOS and approaches to reduce power consumption of 40-Gb/s circuitry in 45-nm SOI CMOS.
Prof. James Buckwalter supervises the high-speed integrated circuits laboratory at the University of California - San Diego. His research interests are RF and millimeter-wave chip design for wireless applications and opto-electronic interface circuitry. His research has been recognized with the DARPA Young Faculty Award in 2007 and NSF Career Award in 2011.