A Fully Integrated 5-6 GHz CMOS Variable-Gain LNA Using Helix-stacked Inductors

Author

Lo, Chieh-Min ; Chao, Shih-Fong ; Chang, Chia-Chi ; Wang, Huei

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Nat. Taiwan Univ., Taipei

fYear

2006

fDate

10-13 Sept. 2006

Firstpage

348

Lastpage

351

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a 5-6 GHz CMOS variable-gain low noise amplifier (VGLNA) for IEEE 802.11a WLAN application, fabricated on TSMC 0.18-mum 1P6M standard CMOS process. In this design, miniature chip size and wide gain-control range are achieved by using helix-stacked inductors and current steering technology, respectively. This VGLNA exhibits a noise figure of 3.1 dB, small signal gain of 19 dB, and IIP3 of -9 dBm while in its high gain mode. A gain of -19 dB with IIP3 of -4 dBm were measured while switching into its low gain mode. The chip size is only 0.56 mm²

Keywords

CMOS integrated circuits; inductors; low noise amplifiers; microwave amplifiers; microwave integrated circuits; wireless LAN; 0.18 micron; 19 dB; 3.1 dB; 5 to 6 GHz; CMOS process; CMOS variable-gain LNA; IEEE 802.11a WLAN; current steering technology; gain control range; helix-stacked inductors; noise figure; variable-gain low noise amplifier; Application specific integrated circuits; CMOS process; CMOS technology; Frequency; Gain control; Inductors; Integrated circuit technology; Noise figure; Performance gain; Wireless LAN; LNA; helix inductor; variable gain;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, 2006. The 1st

Conference_Location

Manchester

Print_ISBN

2-9600551-8-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EMICC.2006.282653

Filename

4057647