GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality

In this article, we present a futuristic perspective on GaN integrated circuit technology, discuss technical challenges that hinder leveraging the capabilities of the GaN process, and provide recommendations to push its limits of integration and functionality. We explore the limitations of current G...

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Main Author: Reza Nikandish
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2024-01-01
Series:IEEE Journal of Microwaves
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10614650/
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author Reza Nikandish
author_facet Reza Nikandish
author_sort Reza Nikandish
collection DOAJ
description In this article, we present a futuristic perspective on GaN integrated circuit technology, discuss technical challenges that hinder leveraging the capabilities of the GaN process, and provide recommendations to push its limits of integration and functionality. We explore the limitations of current GaN processes at the process, circuit, and system levels, and present some potential developments to mitigate these limitations. The most recent progresses in GaN circuits has been inspired by the quest for higher performance, which has influenced innovations in circuit and system architectures. A promising solution is to pursue a <italic>functionality-oriented design paradigm</italic> in parallel with the traditional <italic>performance-oriented design approach</italic>. A review of state-of-the-art GaN transceivers indicates that most comprise merely a power amplifier (PA), a low-noise amplifier (LNA), and transmit-receive (T/R) switches. We propose three disruptive directions that potentially can reshape the future of highly integrated GaN systems, including a digital PA, an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) transceiver, and GaN-CMOS chiplets in package, and investigate their prospects and challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-9bef0d97a6c5497bb131a41d78ed958b2025-08-20T01:57:01ZengIEEEIEEE Journal of Microwaves2692-83882024-01-014459460410.1109/JMW.2024.342961510614650GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and FunctionalityReza Nikandish0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9970-3368School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, IrelandIn this article, we present a futuristic perspective on GaN integrated circuit technology, discuss technical challenges that hinder leveraging the capabilities of the GaN process, and provide recommendations to push its limits of integration and functionality. We explore the limitations of current GaN processes at the process, circuit, and system levels, and present some potential developments to mitigate these limitations. The most recent progresses in GaN circuits has been inspired by the quest for higher performance, which has influenced innovations in circuit and system architectures. A promising solution is to pursue a <italic>functionality-oriented design paradigm</italic> in parallel with the traditional <italic>performance-oriented design approach</italic>. A review of state-of-the-art GaN transceivers indicates that most comprise merely a power amplifier (PA), a low-noise amplifier (LNA), and transmit-receive (T/R) switches. We propose three disruptive directions that potentially can reshape the future of highly integrated GaN systems, including a digital PA, an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) transceiver, and GaN-CMOS chiplets in package, and investigate their prospects and challenges.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10614650/Chipletintegrated circuit (IC)integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)GaNlow-noise amplifier (LNA)power amplifier (PA)
spellingShingle Reza Nikandish
GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
IEEE Journal of Microwaves
Chiplet
integrated circuit (IC)
integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
GaN
low-noise amplifier (LNA)
power amplifier (PA)
title GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
title_full GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
title_fullStr GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
title_full_unstemmed GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
title_short GaN System-on-Chip: Pushing the Limits of Integration and Functionality
title_sort gan system on chip pushing the limits of integration and functionality
topic Chiplet
integrated circuit (IC)
integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
GaN
low-noise amplifier (LNA)
power amplifier (PA)
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10614650/
work_keys_str_mv AT rezanikandish gansystemonchippushingthelimitsofintegrationandfunctionality