A low-power differential common-gate LNA

The conventional common-gate low-noise amplifier (CGLNA) exhibits a relatively high noise figure (NF) at low operating frequencies relative to the MOSFET f_T, which has limited its adoption even though its superior linearity, input matching, and stability compared to the inductively degenerated (CS-LNA). The design of a low-power inductorless LNA using a capacitive cross-coupled (CCC) g_m -boosting and a positive feedback schemes is described that improves the NF and retains the advantages of the CGLNA. The LNA designed in 0.13 mum CMOS shows more than 15 dB input return loss, maximum gain of 18.2 dB, NF of 2.86 dB, and the third-order input intercept point (IIP3) is 2 dB while dissipating 1.8 mA from 1.2 V supply.