A 24-GHz 3.9-dB NF low-noise amplifier using 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology

A 24-GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) was designed and fabricated in a standard 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The LNA chip achieves a peak gain of 13.1 dB at 24 GHz and a minimum noise figure of 3.9 dB at 24.3 GHz. The supply voltage and supply current are 1 V and 14 mA, respectively. To the author's knowledge, this LNA demonstrates the lowest noise figure among the reported LNAs in standard CMOS processes above 20 GHz.     

A miniature Q-band low noise amplifier using 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS technology

A miniature Q-band low noise amplifier (LNA) using 0.13-/spl mu/m standard mixed signal/radio frequency complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is presented in this letter. This three-stage common source thin-film microstrip LNA achieves a peak gain of 20dB at 43GHz with a compact chip size of 0.525mm/sup 2/. The 3-dB frequency bandwidth ranges from 34 to 44GHz and the minimum noise figure is 6.3dB at 41GHz. The LNA outperforms all the reported commercial standard CMOS Q-band LNAs, with the highest gain, highest output IP3, and smallest chip size.     

Thick Metal CMOS Technology on High Resistivity Substrate and Its Application to Monolithic L-Band CMOS LNAs

Thick metal 0.8 µm CMOS technology on high resistivity substrate (RF CMOS technology) is demonstrated for the L-band RF IC applications, and we successfully implemented it to the monolithic 900 MHz and 1.9 GHz CMOS LNAs for the first time. To enhance the performance of the RF circuits, MOSFET layout was optimized for high frequency operation and inductor quality was improved by modifying the technology. The fabricated 1.9 GHz LNA shows a gain of 15.2 dB and a NF of 2.8 dB at DC consumption current of 15 mA that is an excellent noise performance compared with the off-chip matched 1.9 GHz CMOS LNAs. The 900 MHz LNA shows a high gain of 19 dB and NF of 3.2 dB despite of the performance degradation due to the integration of a 26 nH inductor for input match. The proposed RF CMOS technology is a compatible process for analog CMOS ICs, and the monolithic LNAs employing the technology show a good and uniform RF performance in a five inch wafer.     

A modified architecture used for input matching in CMOS low-noise amplifiers

An architecture used for input matching in CMOS low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) is investigated in this paper. In the proposed architecture, gate and source inductors, which are essential in the traditional source inductive degeneration CMOS LNAs, are either reduced or removed. The architecture is finally verified by a narrow-band LNA and a wide-band LNA operating at 2.4-2.5 and 5.1-5.9 GHz, respectively. The narrow-band LNA has measured power gain of 24-dB, noise figure (NF) of 2.6-2.8 dB, and power consumption of 15 mW. The wide-band LNA provides 22.6-24.6-dB power gain and 2.85-3.5-dB NF while drawing 6 mA current from a 1.5-V voltage supply. Compared with their traditional counterparts, the proposed LNAs consume less chip area and present better gain performance.     

Millimeter‐Wave High‐Linear CMOS Low‐Noise Amplifier Using Multiple‐Gate Transistors

A millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) high‐linear low‐noise amplifier (LNA) is presented using a 0.18 µm standard CMOS process. To improve the linearity of mm‐wave LNAs, we adopted the multiple‐gate transistor (MGTR) topology used in the low frequency range. By using an MGTR having a different gate‐source bias at the last stage of LNAs, third‐order input intercept point (IIP3) and 1‐dB gain compression point (P_1dB) increase by 4.85 dBm and 4 dBm, respectively, without noise figure (NF) degradation. At 33 GHz, the proposed LNAs represent 9.5 dB gain, 7.13 dB NF, and 6.25 dBm IIP3.     

ESD-Protected Wideband CMOS LNAs Using Modified Resistive Feedback Techniques With Chip-on-Board Packaging

A novel modified resistive feedback structure for designing wideband low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. Techniques including feedback through a source follower, an R–C feedback network, a gate peaking inductor inside the feedback loop, and neutralization capacitors are used. Bond-wire inductors and electrostatic devices (ESDs) are co-designed to improve the chip performance. Two LNAs, LNA1 and LNA2, were fabricated using a TSMC digital 90-nm CMOS technology. Both chips were tested on board using chip-on-board packages with ESD diodes added at the inputs and outputs. LNA1 achieves a 3-dB bandwidth of 9 GHz with 10 dB of power gain and a minimum noise figure (NF) of 4.2 dB. LNA2 achieves a 3-dB bandwidth of 3.2 GHz with 15.5 dB of power gain and a minimum NF of 1.76 dB. The two LNAs have third-order intermodulation intercept points of $-$8 and $-$9 dBm. Their power consumptions are 20 and 25 mW with a 1.2-V supply, respectively.      

带有ESD保护,900MHz/2.4 GHz Dual-BandCMOS LNA的设计

设计了一个可以同时工作在900 MHz和2.4 GHz的双频带(Dual-Band)低噪声放大器(LNA).相对于使用并行(parallel)结构LNA的双频带解决方案,同时工作(concurrent)结构的双频带LNA更能节省面积和减少功耗.此LNA在900MHz和2.4 GHz两频带同时提供窄带增益和良好匹配.该双频带LNA使用TSMC 0.25 μm 1P5M RF CMOS工艺.工作在900MHz时,电压增益、噪声系数(Noise Figure)分别是21 dB、2.9 dB;工作在2.4 GHz时,电压增益、噪声系数分别是25dB、2.8 dB,在电源电压为2.5 V时,该LNA的功耗为12.5mW,面积为1.1mm×0.9 mm.使用新颖的静电防护(ESD)结构使得在外围PAD上的保护二极管面积仅为8 μm×8 μm时,静电防护能力可达2 kV(人体模型)     

A CDMA Dual-Band Zero-IF Receiver With Integrated LNAs and VCOs in an Advanced SiGe BiCMOS Process

This paper describes one of the first dual PCS- and CEL-band CDMA receivers that includes LNAs and VCOs on a single die. The PCS-band LNA achieves a noise figure (NF) of 1.5dB and IP3 of +7.5 dBm at 16-dB gain. The PCS demodulating mixer achieves an NF of 5 dB, IP3 of +5 dBm and uncalibrated IP2 of +60 dBm. The PCS VCO is capable of -134 dBc/Hz phase noise at 3.9 GHz and 1.25-MHz offset. A copper BiCMOS process was chosen for both performance and cost benefits, compared with lower geometry CMOS     

24 GHz low-noise amplifier in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology

A 24 GHz monolithic low-noise amplifier (LNA) is implemented in a standard 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Measurements show a gain of 12.86 dB and a noise figure of 5.6 dB at 23.5 GHz. The input and output return losses are better than 11 dB and 22 dB across the 22-29 GHz span, respectively. The operation frequency of 24 GHz is believed to be the highest reported for LNA in a standard CMOS technology.     

A new CMOS wideband low noise amplifier with gain control

In this paper, a new CMOS wideband low noise amplifier (LNA) is proposed that is operated within a range of 470 MHz-3 GHz with current reuse, mirror bias and a source inductive degeneration technique. A two-stage topology is adopted to implement the LNA based on the TSMC 0.18-μm RF CMOS process. Traditional wideband LNAs suffer from a fundamental trade-off in noise figure (NF), gain and source impedance matching. Therefore, we propose a new LNA which obtains good NF and gain flatness performance by integrating two kinds of wideband matching techniques and a two-stage topology. The new LNA can also achieve a tunable gain at different power consumption conditions. The measurement results at the maximum power consumption mode show that the gain is between 11.3 and 13.6 dB, the NF is less than 2.5 dB, and the third-order intercept point (IIP3) is about −3.5 dBm. The LNA consumes maximum power at about 27 mW with a 1.8 V power supply. The core area is 0.55×0.95 mm².     

Radio Frequency Low Noise Amplifier with Linearizing Bias Circuit

A 1.34 GHz60 MHz low noise amplifier (LNA) designed in a 0.35 m SiGe process is presented. The designed LNA exhibits a power gain of 21.46 dB and a noise figure (NF) of 1.27 dB at 1.34 GHz. The linearity is improved with an active biasing technique. The post-layout simulation shows an input referred 1-dB compression point (IP1dB) of ?11.52 dBm. Compared with the recent reported high gain LNAs, the proposed LNA has a much better linearity without degrading other performance. The LNA draws 10 mA current from a 3.3 V power supply.     

Radio Frequency Low Noise Amplifier with Linearizing Bias Circuit

A 1.34 GHz-1=60 MHz low noise amplifier （LNA） designed in a 0.35 pm SiGe process is presented. The designed LNA exhibits a power gain of 21.46 dB and a noise figure （NF） of 1.27 dB at 1.34 GHz. The linearity is improved with an active biasing technique. The post-layout simulation shows an input referred 1-dB compression point （IPldn） of-11.52 dBm. Compared with the recent reported high gain LNAs, the proposed LNA has a much better linearity without degrading other performance. The LNA draws 10 mA current from a 3.3 V power supply.     

A power efficient differential 20-GHz low noise amplifier with 5.3-GHz 3-dB bandwidth

A 20-GHz differential two-stage low-noise amplifier (LNA) is demonstrated in a foundry digital 130-nm CMOS technology with 8-metal layers. This LNA has 20-dB voltage gain and /spl sim/5.5-dB noise figure at 20GHz with 24-mW power consumption. The measured IP/sub 1 dB/ and IIP/sub 3/ are -11 dBm and -4dBm. Compared to the previously published bulk CMOS LNAs operating above 20GHz, this LNA has exceptionally low power and current consumption especially considering its differential topology and wide bandwidth.     

Algorithmic Design of CMOS LNAs and PAs for 60-GHz Radio

Sixty-gigahertz power (PA) and low-noise (LNA) amplifiers have been implemented, based on algorithmic design methodologies for mm-wave CMOS amplifiers, in a 90-nm RF-CMOS process with thick 9-metal-layer Cu backend and transistor f_T/f_MAX of 120 GHz/200 GHz. The PA, fabricated for the first time in CMOS at 60 GHz, operates from a 1.5-V supply with 5.2 dB power gain, a 3-dB bandwidth >13 GHz, a P _1dB of +6.4 dBm with 7% PAE and a saturated output power of +9.3 dBm at 60 GHz. The LNA represents the first 90-nm CMOS implementation at 60 GHz and demonstrates improvements in noise, gain and power dissipation compared to earlier 60-GHz LNAs in 160-GHz SiGe HBT and 0.13-mum CMOS technologies. It features 14.6 dB gain, an IIP ₃ of -6.8 dBm, and a noise figure lower than 5.5 dB, while drawing 16 mA from a 1.5-V supply. The use of spiral inductors for on-chip matching results in highly compact layouts, with the total PA and LNA die areas with pads measuring 0.35times0.43 mm² and 0.35times0.40 mm², respectively     

Development of Integrated Broad-Band CMOS Low-Noise Amplifiers

This paper presents a systematic design methodology for broad-band CMOS low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). The feedback technique is proposed to attain a better design tradeoff between gain and noise. The network synthesis is adopted for the implementation of broad-band matching networks. The sloped interstage matching is used for gain compensation. A fully integrated ultra-wide-band 0.18-mum CMOS LNA is developed following the design methodology. The measured noise figure is lower than 3.8 dB from 3 to 7.5 GHz, resulting in the excellent average noise figure of 3.48 dB. Operated on a 1.8-V supply, the LNA delivers 19.1-dB power gain and dissipates 32 mW of power. The gain-bandwidth product of the UWB LNA reaches 358 GHz, the record number for the 0.18-m CMOS broad-band amplifiers. The total chip size of the CMOS UWB LNA is 1.37 times 1.19 mm².     

1.5-6GHz增益和噪声系数稳定的两级超宽带CMOS低噪声放大器设计与性能模拟

 针对UWB应用设计实现了一个1.5-6GHz的两级CMOS低噪声放大器(LNA). 通过引入共栅(CG)和共源(CS)结构以获得宽范围内的输入匹配,采用电流镜和峰化电感进行电流复用,所提出的LNA实现了非常平坦化的功率增益和噪声系数(NF). 经标准0.18μm CMOS工艺实现后,版图后模拟结果表明在1.5-5GHz频率范围内功率增益(S21)为11.45±0.05dB,在2-6GHz频率范围内噪声系数(NF)为5.15±0.05dB,输入损耗(S11)小于-18dB. 在5GHz时,模拟得到的三阶交调点(IIP3)为-7dBm,1dB压缩点为-5dBm.在1.8V电源电压下,LNA消耗6mA的电流,版图实现面积仅为0.62mm^2.     

0.18 /spl mu/m 3-6 GHz CMOS broadband LNA for UWB radio

A 3-6 GHz CMOS broadband low noise amplifier (LNA) for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio is presented. The LNA is fabricated with the 0.18 /spl mu/m 1P6M standard CMOS process. Measurement of the CMOS LNA is performed using an FR-4 PCB test fixture. From 3 to 6 GHz, the broadband LNA exhibits a noise figure of 4.7-6.7 dB, a gain of 13-16 dB, and an input/output return loss higher than 12/10 dB, respectively. The input P/sub 1 dB/ and input IP3 (IIP3) at 4.5 GHz are about -14 and -5 dBm, respectively. The DC supply is 1.8 V.     

A novel high dynamic range differential LNA using quartet topology

In some applications such as short-range radars, a large target can desensitize the receiver. A high dynamic range low-noise amplifier (LNA), as a key component of a transmitter/receiver module, can improve the entire system performance. This study presents a high dynamic range differential LNA that uses a differential quartet topology for the first time. The LNA shows more linearity than the conventional differential common source LNAs. For a typical 0.18 µm CMOS technology, it achieves a power gain of about 5.5 dB at 24 GHz, a low noise figure (NF) of 3.5 dB, very good linearity performance, an input-referred third-order intercept point (IIP3) of +?6.3 dBm, and an input-referred 1 dB compression point (P1dB) of ??4.5 dBm.     

Noise-canceling and IP3 improved CMOS RF front-end for DRM/DAB/DVB-H applications

A CMOS RF (radio frequency) front-end for digital radio broadcasting applications is presented that contains a wideband LNA, I/Q-mixers and VGAs, supporting other various wireless communication standards in the ultra-wide frequency band from 200 kHz to 2 GHz as well. Improvement of the NF (noise figure) and IP3 (third-order intermodulation distortion) is attained without significant degradation of other performances like voltage gain and power consumption. The NF is minimized by noise-canceling technology, and the IP3 is improved by using differential multiple gate transistors (DMGTR). The dB-in-linear VGA (variable gain amplifier) exploits a single PMOS to achieve exponential gain control. The circuit is fabricated in 0.18-μm CMOS technology. The S_(11) of the RF front-end is lower than -11.4 dB over the whole band of 200 kHz-2 GHz. The variable gain range is 12-42 dB at 0.25 GHz and 4-36 dB at 2 GHz. The DSB NF at maximum gain is 3.1-6.1 dB. The IIP3 at middle gain is -4.7 to 0.2 dBm. It consumes a DC power of only 36 mW at 1.8 V supply.     

High-performance in W-band monolithic pseudomorphic InGaAsHEMT LNA's and design/analysis methodology

High-performance W-band monolithic one- and two-stage low noise amplifiers (LNAs) based on pseudomorphic InGaAs-GaAs HEMT devices have been developed. The one-stage amplifier has a measured noise figure of 5.1 dB with an associated gain of 7 dB from 92 to 95 GHz, and the two-stage amplifier has a measured small signal gain of 13.3 dB at 94 GHz and 17 dB at 89 GHz with a noise figure of 5.5 dB from 91 to 95 GHz. An eight-stage LNA built by cascading four of these monolithic two-stage LNA chips demonstrates 49 dB gain and 6.5 dB noise figure at 94 GHz. A rigorous analysis procedure was incorporated in the design, including accurate active device modeling and full-wave EM analysis of passive structures. The first pass success of these LNA chip designs indicates the importance of a rigorous design/analysis methodology in millimeter-wave monolithic IC development