EVOLUTIONARY SEARCH FOR OPTIMIZED LNA COMPONENTS GEOMETRY

In this paper, an optimized design procedure based on genetic algorithm (GA) for automatic synthesis of dual-band concurrent fully integrated low-noise amplifiers (LNA) targeted to 802.16d @ 3.5 GHz and 802.11b, g @ 2.4 GHz standards is discussed. The algorithm delivers the circuit elements geometry, rather than their values, and bias levels to secure the best level of LNA gain, input matching, output matching and power consumption. Working on the components geometry level aims at considering the elements parasitic effects. The basic cascode and a current reuse folded cascode LNA's are tried. GA as an optimization engine is programmed in MATLAB and performance evaluation in 0.18 μm RF CMOS TSMC technology is ceded to HSPICE. Results indicate that the automated scheme well computes the desired circuit in an acceptable time span; otherwise, it may be explored by either tremendous manual trial and error or astronomical cycles of an exhaustive search. This is not accomplished without imposing certain approximate search space constraints.

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Triple-Band CMOS Low Noise Amplifier Design Utilizing Transformer Couplings

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.698.142 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 698 ◽

pp. 142-148

Author(s):

Masataka Kamiyama ◽

Daiki Oki ◽

Satoru Kawauchi ◽

Cong Bing Li ◽

Nobuo Takahashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Noise ◽

Low Noise Amplifier ◽

Dual Band ◽

Low Noise Amplifiers ◽

Coupling Coefficients ◽

Input Matching ◽

Simulation Results ◽

Amplifier Design ◽

Noise Amplifier ◽

Triple Band

This paper describes multi-band low noise amplifiers (LNAs) utilizing input matching transformers. We investigate a conventional dual-band LNA circuit utilizing a transformer, and show our analysis and simulation results for its circuit. Based on this, we propose a triple band LNA with transformers. We have calculated characteristics of the dual-band and triple-band LNAs. As the results, the LNAs show gain of 20dB while maintaining good input matching, in the frequencies at 2.59GHz, 3.50GHz and 5.41 GHz. Then we discuss configuration and design of coupling coefficients of the transformers.

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Noise and Breakdown Characterization of SPAD Detectors with Time-Gated Photon-Counting Operation

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21165287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (16) ◽

pp. 5287

Author(s):

Hiwa Mahmoudi ◽

Michael Hofbauer ◽

Bernhard Goll ◽

Horst Zimmermann

Keyword(s):

Breakdown Voltage ◽

Single Photon ◽

Photon Counting ◽

Low Noise ◽

Dark Count ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Trade Offs ◽

And Performance ◽

Noise Models

Being ready-to-detect over a certain portion of time makes the time-gated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) an attractive candidate for low-noise photon-counting applications. A careful SPAD noise and performance characterization, however, is critical to avoid time-consuming experimental optimization and redesign iterations for such applications. Here, we present an extensive empirical study of the breakdown voltage, as well as the dark-count and afterpulsing noise mechanisms for a fully integrated time-gated SPAD detector in 0.35-μm CMOS based on experimental data acquired in a dark condition. An “effective” SPAD breakdown voltage is introduced to enable efficient characterization and modeling of the dark-count and afterpulsing probabilities with respect to the excess bias voltage and the gating duration time. The presented breakdown and noise models will allow for accurate modeling and optimization of SPAD-based detector designs, where the SPAD noise can impose severe trade-offs with speed and sensitivity as is shown via an example.

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Passive Components for RF-ICs

Advances in Wireless Technologies and Telecommunication - Wireless Radio-Frequency Standards and System Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-0083-6.ch008 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 189-214

Author(s):

Gianluca Cornetta ◽

David J. Santos ◽

José Manuel Vázquez

Keyword(s):

Integrated Circuits ◽

Quality Factor ◽

Silicon Substrate ◽

Supply Voltage ◽

Magnetic Behavior ◽

Low Noise ◽

Low Noise Amplifiers ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Core Elements ◽

Low Supply Voltage

The modern wireless communication industry is demanding transceivers with a high integration level operating in the gigahertz frequency range. This, in turn, has prompted intense research in the area of monolithic passive devices. Modern fabrication processes now provide the capability to integrate onto a silicon substrate inductors and capacitors, enabling a broad range of new applications. Inductors and capacitors are the core elements of many circuits, including low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, baluns, mixers, and oscillators, as well as fully-integrated matching networks. While the behavior and the modeling of integrated capacitors are well understood, the design of an integrated inductor is still a challenging task since its magnetic behavior is hard to predict accurately. As the operating frequency approaches the gigahertz range, device nonlinearities, coupling effects, and skin effect dominate, making difficult the design of critical parameters such as the self-resonant frequency, the quality factor, and self and mutual inductances. However, despite the parasitic effects and the low quality-factor, integrated inductors still allow for the implementation of integrated circuits with improved performances under low supply voltage. In this chapter, the authors review the technology behind monolithic capacitors and inductors on silicon substrate for high-frequency applications, with major emphasis on physical implementation and modeling.

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Technologies, Design, and Applications of Low-Noise Amplifiers at Millimetre-Wave: State-of-the-Art and Perspectives

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics8111222 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 1222 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Longhi ◽

Pace ◽

Colangeli ◽

Ciccognani ◽

Limiti

Keyword(s):

Integrated Circuit ◽

Noise Figure ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Low Noise ◽

Low Noise Amplifiers ◽

Wave State ◽

Millimetre Wave ◽

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit ◽

V Band ◽

And Performance

An overview of applicable technologies and design solutions for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) operating at millimeter-wave are provided in this paper. The review starts with a brief description of the targeted applications and corresponding systems. Advanced technologies are presented highlighting potentials and drawbacks related to the considered possibilities. Design techniques, applicable to different requirements, are presented and analyzed. An LNA operating at V-band (59–66 GHz) is designed and tested following the presented guidelines, demonstrating state-of-the-art results in terms of noise figure (average NF < 2 dB). A state-of-the-art table, reporting recent results available in open literature on this topic, is provided and examined, focusing on room temperature operation and performance in cryogenic environment. Finally, trends versus frequency and perspectives are outlined.

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Dual-band impedance transformation networks for integrated power amplifiers

International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies ◽

10.1017/s1759078714001391 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robert Wolf ◽

Niko Joram ◽

Stefan Schumann ◽

Frank Ellinger

Keyword(s):

Output Power ◽

Power Amplifiers ◽

Design Procedure ◽

Dual Band ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Large Signal ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Power Added Efficiency ◽

Relative Bandwidth ◽

Measurement Results

This paper shows that the two most common impedance transformation networks for power amplifiers (PAs) can be designed to achieve optimum transformation at two frequencies. Hence, a larger bandwidth for the required impedance transformation ratio is achieved. A design procedure is proposed, which takes imperfections like losses into account. Furthermore, an analysis method is presented to estimate the maximum uncompressed output power of a PA with respect to frequency. Based on these results, a fully integrated PA with a dual-band impedance transformation network is designed and its functionality is proven by large signal measurement results. The amplifier covers the frequency band from 450 MHz to 1.2 GHz (3 dB bandwidth of the output power and efficiency), corresponding to a relative bandwidth of more than 100%. It delivers 23.7 dBm output power in the 1 dB compression point, having a power-added efficiency of 33%.

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The 1.3mm Full-Stokes Polarization System at CARMA

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation ◽

10.1142/s2251171715500051 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 04 (01n02) ◽

pp. 1550005 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Charles L. H. Hull ◽

Richard L. Plambeck

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Range ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Position Angle ◽

Low Noise ◽

Low Noise Amplifiers ◽

Beam Polarization ◽

Circular Polarizer ◽

Angle Measurements ◽

Millimeter Wavelengths ◽

And Performance

The CARMA 1.3[Formula: see text]mm polarization system consists of dual-polarization receivers that are sensitive to right- (R) and left-circular (L) polarization, and a spectral-line correlator that measures all four cross polarizations ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) on each of the 105 baselines connecting the 15 telescopes. Each receiver comprises a single feed horn, a waveguide circular polarizer, an orthomode transducer (OMT), two heterodyne mixers, and two low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), all mounted in a cryogenically cooled dewar. Here we review the basics of polarization observations, describe the construction and performance of key receiver components (circular polarizer, OMT, and mixers — but not the correlator), and discuss in detail the calibration of the system, particularly the calibration of the R–L phase offsets and the polarization leakage corrections. The absolute accuracy of polarization position angle measurements was checked by mapping the radial polarization pattern across the disk of Mars. Transferring the Mars calibration to the well-known polarization calibrator 3C286, we find a polarization position angle of [Formula: see text] for 3C286 at 225[Formula: see text]GHz, consistent with other observations at millimeter wavelengths. Finally, we consider what limitations in accuracy are expected due to the signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and primary beam polarization.

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Noise analysis of the input matching circuits for UWB Low Noise Amplifiers

2013 International Conference on Communication and Signal Processing ◽

10.1109/iccsp.2013.6577114 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Niti Mohan ◽

V. Vaithianathan

Keyword(s):

Noise Analysis ◽

Low Noise ◽

Low Noise Amplifiers ◽

Input Matching

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Design and Performance Evaluation of a CBC Solar Space Power System: The Influence of Orbital and Solar Conditions

Volume 3A: General ◽

10.1115/93-gt-180 ◽

1993 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aristide F. Massardo

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Design Procedure ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Plant Design ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Plant Area ◽

Combined Cycle Plant ◽

External Conditions ◽

And Performance

Design and performance evaluation of solar space Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) is described in this paper taking into account the influence of orbital and solar conditions. With fixed external conditions (insolation, Tsink, power) overall performance and area of the plant are obtained and optimized (plant area minimization), while to evaluate plant mass a detailed and complete design of the plant components is carried out. Utilizing as the input the results obtained with fixed external conditions, plant transient orbital analysis (TOA) is performed taking into account modification of insolation, Tsink, and power to be generated versus orbit time, (quasi steady transient analysis). All these methods have been fully integrated — the common inputs are interchanged and the output of one code is directly input to the other codes — in a complete design procedure, named CBC-SPACE, suited for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) station power plant design. The most important results are presented and discussed, while the importance of this study is pointed out taking also into account the possibility to extend this analysis to SDCC (solar dynamic combined cycle) plant proposed by the author (Massardo, 1991).

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