Low-power front-end amplification and frequency generation techniques for ultra-wideband millimeter-wave transceivers

This paper presents low-power design techniques for wideband LNA´s and wide-tuning frequency generation circuits operating at mm-wave. Transformer neutralization techniques enable the design of current-reuse and low-voltage LNA´s. Transformer-based VCO´s with resonance mode switching are introduced to achieve very wide tuning range. The design and characterization of several prototype circuits is presented to validate these concepts.