Low Noise Amplifier Synthesis Using Multidimensional MLP Neural Network

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a new method is proposed for determining the design parameters of radio frequency (RF) low noise amplifier (LNA) to obtain a set of desired design specifications. The proposed method is a simulation-based approach in which the multidimensional multilayer perceptron (M-MLP) neural network (NN) is utilized as the synthesis tool. The outputs of the M-MLP NN constitute the design variables, i.e., the numerical values of the passive components, transistors’ sizing, and the biasing conditions. The algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and the HSPICE simulator is utilized to verify the synthesis results. Strictly speaking, in each feed-forward process of the NN, a set of design parameters are produced at the output of the M-MLP NN, corresponding to which a set of design specifications are derived using HSPICE. These specifications include the input and output return loss, power gain, reverse isolation, noise figure, K stability factor, 3-dB bandwidth, and centre frequency. Considering the differences between the derived specifications and the desired ones, the connection weights of the M-MLP NN are altered in a way that it improves the overall behaviour of the algorithm toward satisfying the competing design measures. In other words, having the desired specifications, our method yields a completely automated design procedure. The formulation of the approach is described in detail. The dynamic learning rate is utilized to further improve the performance of the algorithm to search the solution space efficiently. The TSMC model for the 0.18 µm CMOS process is used in the LNA design.

KEYWORDS:

• Design automation
• Dynamic learning rate
• LNA synthesis
• Multidimensional MLP neural network
• Simulation-based methods

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. E. Sorkhabi

S. E. Sorkhabi received BSc degree in electrical engineering from University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran and MSc. degree from Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2008 and 2013, respectively. Her research interest includes RF and microwave integrated circuit design, RF and microwave front-ends for wireless applications, and RF and microwave circuit design for biomedical applications.

E-mail: [email protected]

M. R. Mosavi

M. R. Mosavi received his BS, MS and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran in 1997, 1998 and 2004, respectively. He is currently faculty member of Department of Electrical Engineering of IUST as full professor. He is the author of about 300 scientific publications on journals and international conferences. His research interests include circuits and systems design.

E-mail: [email protected]

M. Rafei

M. Rafei received MSc degree from Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2013. His research interest includes RF analog circuit design, circuit design automation, optimization using neural networks and evolutionary algorithms.

E-mail: [email protected]