Silicon-based millimeter-wave integrated circuits (SIMMWIC's) can prov
ide new solutions for near range sensor and communication applications
in the frequency range above 50 GHz, This paper gives a survey on the
state-of-the-art performance of this technology and on first applicat
ions. The key devices are IMPATT diodes for mm-wave power generation a
nd detection in the self-oscillating mixer mode, p-i-n diodes for use
in switches and phase shifters, and Schottky diodes in detector and mi
xer circuits, The silicon/silicon germanium heterobipolar transistor (
SiGe HBT) with f(max) values of more than 90 GHz is now used for low-n
oise oscillators at Ka-hand frequencies, First system applications are
discussed.