A 1–16 GHz wideband CMOS low-noise IF amplifier for ALMA radio astronomy receivers

This paper presents a wideband low noise IF amplifier developed for the ALMA Front End system using 90nm CMOS. A topology of shunt-series peaking and active shunt feedback low noise IF amplifier is proposed to extend the 3-dB and input matching bandwidth, combined with a series input inductor. The circuit achieves a flat gain of 34dB, while the 3-dB bandwidth as well as return loss of better than 10dB range from 1GHz to 16GHz. Operating at a 1.2V supply voltage, the IF amplifier consumes a dc power of 31.8 mW with a minimum noise figure of 4.2dB.