A Multiple-Feedback UWB LNA with Low Noise and Improved Linearity

ABSTRACT

A 3.1–10.6 GHz CMOS low-noise improved-linearity amplifier (LNA) for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications is presented in this paper. This UWB LNA is designed with multiple-feedback networks and noise/distortion cancellation technique. For better bandwidth extension and less chip-size occupation, a transformer is combined with a shunt feedback resistor to construct the novel multiple-feedback networks. Simultaneously, a modified noise/distortion cancellation technique is adopted in the input stage, to reduce the noise figure (NF) and nonlinear distortion. Simulation results illustrate that this proposed LNA achieves a maximum gain of 14.2 dB with 7.2 mW power dissipation under 1.2 V supply voltage, while having an IIP3 of 4.2 dBm and a minimal NF of 2.5 dB. The chip size is only 0.72 mm × 0.72 mm including the testing pads (core area is 0.57 mm × 0.57 mm).

KEYWORDS:

• CMOS
• Linearization
• LNA
• Multiple-feedback
• Noise-cancellation
• UWB

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 61571185], Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province [grant number 2016JJ2030] and Open Fund Project of Key Laboratory of Hunan Universities [grant number 15K027].

Notes on contributors

Xin Zhang

Xin Zhang was born in Xiangtan, Hunan province, China, in 1989. He received the MS degree in information and communication engineering from Institute of Information Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China, in 2014. He is currently a PhD candidate in Hunan University. His research interests mainly focus on current-mode circuit design and RF front-end circuits design.

E-mail: [email protected]

Chunhua Wang

Chunhua Wang was born in Yongzhou, China, in 1963. He received the BS degree from Hengyang Normal College, Hengyang, China, in 1983, the MS degree from Physics Department, Zheng Zhou University, Zheng Zhou, China, in 1994, the PhD degree from School of Electronic Information and Control Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China, in 2003. He is currently a professor of College of Information Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China. His research interests include current-mode circuit design, filtering, radio frequency circuit and wireless communications.

Lv Zhao

Lv Zhao was born in Xiangtan, China, in 1986. He received the BS degree from Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China, in 2008, and the MS degree from the College of Information Science and Engineering in Guangxi University, in 2012. He is currently studying in Hunan University for the PhD degree. His research interests are focused on RF front-end circuits design and wireless communications.

E-mail: [email protected]