A generic micromachined silicon platform for high-performance RF passive components

This paper describes the development of a micromachined silicon platform fabricated using the dissolved wafer process that supports: (1) high self-resonance frequency and quality factor inductors suspended on a dielectric membrane, (2) low-loss thin-film capacitors, and (3) polysilicon resistors. The process uses deep boron diffusion to create silicon anchors, which support a stress compensated dielectric membrane. A thick resist mold is used to gold electroplate the inductor, top capacitor plate, and bonding pads. This platform can be used to build miniature high-performance transceivers or other RF subsystems using either hybrid-attached surface-mount components or flip-chip bonded RF circuits. Using this technique, a Colpitts transmitter with a five-turn dielectric suspended inductor was designed and fabricated. The transmitter oscillates in the frequency band of 275–375 MHz, consumes 200 μA when operated continuously and 100 μA when amplitude modulated (on–off keying) at a rate of 1 Mbps (50% duty cycle).