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Reconfigurable Frequency Multipliers Based on Complementary Ferroelectric Transistors

Haotian Xu, Jianyi Yang, Cheng Zhuo, Thomas Kämpfe, Kai Ni, Xunzhao Yin

TL;DR

The paper addresses the limitations of traditional frequency multipliers, which rely on nonlinear devices that often require energy- and area-intensive filtering and complex tuning. It introduces a CMOS-friendly approach using complementary FeFETs (2FeFETs) to realize symmetric parabolic transfer curves, enabling reconfigurable frequency doubling and multi-harmonic operation (First-H to Fourth-H). Four 2FeFET-based multiplier designs and four multi-harmonic configurations are proposed and validated with a 45 nm Preisach FeFET model, demonstrating high operating frequencies and low power/area relative to conventional approaches, plus a practical FSK demonstration. This work provides a scalable, flexible pathway to compact, high-frequency, harmonic-rich frequency multipliers suitable for modern signal processing and communication systems.

Abstract

Frequency multipliers, a class of essential electronic components, play a pivotal role in contemporary signal processing and communication systems. They serve as crucial building blocks for generating high-frequency signals by multiplying the frequency of an input signal. However, traditional frequency multipliers that rely on nonlinear devices often require energy- and area-consuming filtering and amplification circuits, and emerging designs based on an ambipolar ferroelectric transistor require costly non-trivial characteristic tuning or complex technology process. In this paper, we show that a pair of standard ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs) can be used to build compact frequency multipliers without aforementioned technology issues. By leveraging the tunable parabolic shape of the 2FeFET structures' transfer characteristics, we propose four reconfigurable frequency multipliers, which can switch between signal transmission and frequency doubling. Furthermore, based on the 2FeFET structures, we propose four frequency multipliers that realize triple, quadruple frequency modes, elucidating a scalable methodology to generate more multiplication harmonics of the input frequency. Performance metrics such as maximum operating frequency, power, etc., are evaluated and compared with existing works. We also implement a practical case of frequency modulation scheme based on the proposed reconfigurable multipliers without additional devices. Our work provides a novel path of scalable and reconfigurable frequency multiplier designs based on devices that have characteristics similar to FeFETs, and show that FeFETs are a promising candidate for signal processing and communication systems in terms of maximum operating frequency and power.

Reconfigurable Frequency Multipliers Based on Complementary Ferroelectric Transistors

TL;DR

The paper addresses the limitations of traditional frequency multipliers, which rely on nonlinear devices that often require energy- and area-intensive filtering and complex tuning. It introduces a CMOS-friendly approach using complementary FeFETs (2FeFETs) to realize symmetric parabolic transfer curves, enabling reconfigurable frequency doubling and multi-harmonic operation (First-H to Fourth-H). Four 2FeFET-based multiplier designs and four multi-harmonic configurations are proposed and validated with a 45 nm Preisach FeFET model, demonstrating high operating frequencies and low power/area relative to conventional approaches, plus a practical FSK demonstration. This work provides a scalable, flexible pathway to compact, high-frequency, harmonic-rich frequency multipliers suitable for modern signal processing and communication systems.

Abstract

Frequency multipliers, a class of essential electronic components, play a pivotal role in contemporary signal processing and communication systems. They serve as crucial building blocks for generating high-frequency signals by multiplying the frequency of an input signal. However, traditional frequency multipliers that rely on nonlinear devices often require energy- and area-consuming filtering and amplification circuits, and emerging designs based on an ambipolar ferroelectric transistor require costly non-trivial characteristic tuning or complex technology process. In this paper, we show that a pair of standard ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs) can be used to build compact frequency multipliers without aforementioned technology issues. By leveraging the tunable parabolic shape of the 2FeFET structures' transfer characteristics, we propose four reconfigurable frequency multipliers, which can switch between signal transmission and frequency doubling. Furthermore, based on the 2FeFET structures, we propose four frequency multipliers that realize triple, quadruple frequency modes, elucidating a scalable methodology to generate more multiplication harmonics of the input frequency. Performance metrics such as maximum operating frequency, power, etc., are evaluated and compared with existing works. We also implement a practical case of frequency modulation scheme based on the proposed reconfigurable multipliers without additional devices. Our work provides a novel path of scalable and reconfigurable frequency multiplier designs based on devices that have characteristics similar to FeFETs, and show that FeFETs are a promising candidate for signal processing and communication systems in terms of maximum operating frequency and power.
Paper Structure (11 sections, 8 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 11 sections, 8 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. FeFET basics
  4. Existing frequency multipliers
  5. Proposed Reconfigurable frequency multipliers
  6. 2FeFET structures implementing multipliers
  7. Reconfigurable multipliers with more multiplications
  8. Validations and Evaluations
  9. Frequency multiplier validations and comparisons
  10. Case study: Frequency Shift Keying
  11. Conclusion

Figures (8)

  • Figure 1: (a)/(b) N-type FeFET (nFeFET) and its $V_{TH}$ programmable characteristic curve (c)/(d) P-type FeFET (pFeFET) and its $V_{TH}$ programmable characteristics.
  • Figure 2: Principles of frequency doubling and signal transmission utilizing (a)/(b) upward-opening or (c)/(d) downward-opening parabolic-shaped characteristic.
  • Figure 3: Four 2FeFET structures realizing parabolic-shape characteristics: (a) 2 nFeFETs in parallel for upward parabola. (b) 2 pFeFETs in series for downward parabola. (c) Complementary FeFETs in parallel for upward parabola. (d) Complementary FeFETs in series for downward parabola.
  • Figure 4: (a) 4n-serial design. (b)/(c) Leveraging the superimposed double-valley shape curve to generate triple/quadruple frequency. (d) 4p-parallel design. (e)/(f) Leveraging the superimposed double-peak shape curve to generate triple/quadruple frequency.
  • Figure 5: (a) n/p-serial design. (b)/(c) Leveraging the superimposed double-valley shape curve to generate triple/quadruple frequency. (d) n/p-parallel design. (e)/(f) Leveraging the superimposed double-peak shape curve to generate triple/quadruple frequency.
  • ...and 3 more figures