This expanded and thoroughly revised edition of Thomas H. Lee's acclaimed guide to the design of gigahertz RF integrated circuits features a completely new chapter on the principles of wireless systems. The chapters on low-noise amplifiers, oscillators and phase noise have been significantly expanded as well. The chapter on architectures now contains several examples of complete chip designs that bring together all the various theoretical and practical elements involved in producing a prototype chip. First Edition Hb (1998): 0-521-63061-4 First Edition Pb (1998); 0-521-63922-0

The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits: RF CIRCUITS THROUGH THE AGES

Wideband and multiband CMOS LNAs

Active circuits with isolation switches are described. In one design, an apparatus includes first and second amplifiers coupled in parallel. Each amplifier receives an input signal and provides an output signal. Each amplifier has a switch that isolates the amplifier when the amplifier is turned off. The first and second amplifiers may be high and low gain amplifiers or two low noise amplifiers (LNAs). The first and second amplifiers may be for different communication systems, different frequency bands, and/or different gain ranges. In general, any number of amplifiers may be coupled in parallel, and each amplifier may have a switch to isolate that amplifier when turned off. A switch for an amplifier may be a shunt switch coupled between an internal node of the amplifier and ground. The shunt switch may be closed when the amplifier is turned off and may be opened when the amplifier is turned on.

Active circuits with isolation switches

A simple, physically based analysis illustrate the noise processes in CMOS inverter-based and differential ring oscillators. A time-domain jitter calculation method is used to analyze the effects of white noise, while random VCO modulation most straightforwardly accounts for nicker (1/f) noise. Analysis shows that in differential ring oscillators, white noise in the differential pairs dominates the jitter and phase noise, whereas the phase noise due to flicker noise arises mainly from the tail current control circuit. This is validated by simulation and measurement. Straightforward expressions for period jitter and phase noise enable manual design of a ring oscillator to specifications, and guide the choice between ring and LC oscillator.

Phase noise and jitter in CMOS ring oscillators

Variable numerous types of equipment/subsystems may exist in complex systems, which makes it difficult to analyze and identify electromagnetic emission sources. A theory named “basic emission waveform theory” is presented in this paper to solve this problem. This innovation theory characterizes emission with four basic waveforms, including square wave, sine wave, damped oscillation, and spike wave. Then, the effectiveness of the theory is discussed in both theoretical and engineering ways. In particular, the basic waveforms reflect the physical characteristics of the equipment. Furthermore, the basic waveforms generally do not vary with the locations or loading conditions. Therefore, the identification and analysis of an emission source can be realized by analyzing the basic waveforms from the emission of a complex system. Finally, the applications of damped oscillation and square wave in emission source identification field are used as validations of the proposed theory. Moreover, an example of emission source identification for an electric vehicle is also presented. The examples show that the proposed theory can be used to simply and accurately identify and analyze the emission sources of complex systems.

Basic Emission Waveform Theory: A Novel Interpretation and Source Identification Method for Electromagnetic Emission of Complex Systems

This paper presents a self-tuning technique for optimization of a dual band LNA that can be used in a flexible RF front-end suitable for IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN applications. With this tuning technique the LNA can perform self-calibration for the optimal performance. A possible shift in resonance frequency due to process and temperature variations can be compensated by this method. The proposed self-tuning technique is implemented by using a simple RF detector at the LNA output. Based on the DC value provided by this detector the LNA is tuned for a maximum gain through the tuning loop, which incorporates ADC, digital base-band and DAC. We show that the tuning error can be within half LSB of ADC provided the DAC and ADC resolutions are constraint by a specified condition. For 4-bit case this value corresponds to a gain error of 0.4 dB. The LNA has been implemented in 0.2 mum GaAs process offered by OMMICtrade. In measurements the LNA achieves a gain of 15.1 dB and 21.6 dB in the upper and lower band, respectively, with corresponding NF of 3.8 dB and 2.8 dB. In the lower band the measured IIP3 is -3 dBm and 1 dB_CP is -8 dBm.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/4747409/4753760/04753836.pdf

A self-tuning technique for optimization of dual band LNA

This paper presents a dual band LNA that can be switched between two bands (2.4 GHz & 5.2 GHz) for IEEE 802.1 la/b/g WLAN applications. The LNA is also tunable within each band and the tuning is incorporated by on-chip varactors. The test chip consists of two fully integrated narrow-band tunable LNAs along with SPDT switch. For power saving one LNA can be switched off. The technology process is 0.2 mum GaAs offered by OMMIC. The LNA can achieve a relatively good performance over the two bands as demonstrated by simulation. With a 3V supply, the LNA has a gain of 26.2 dB at 2.4 GHz and 21.8 dB at 5.2 GHz and the corresponding NF varies between 2.07 dB and 1.84 dB, respectively. The LNA has an IIP3 of -7 dBm at 2.4 GHz and -1.6 dBm at 5.2 GHz.

Dual Band Tunable LNA for Flexible RF Front End

This paper describes the performance of a new circuit concept, programmable microwave function array (PROMFA). The concept is based on an array of generic cells, in which a number of different functions can be realized. Each PROMFA cell is a four-port circuit, and several cells can easily be connected together in larger arrays. Simulated and measured results are presented.

Programmable microwave function array, PROMFA

This paper presents design considerations for low power, highly linear current mode LNAs that can be used for wideband RF front-ends for multi-standard applications. The circuit level simulations of the proposed architecture indicate that with optimal biasing a high value of IIP3 can be obtained. A comparison of three scenarios for optimal bias is presented. Simulation results indicate that with the proposed architecture, LNAs may achieve a maximum NF of 3.6 dB with a 3 dB bandwidth larger than 10 GHz and a best case IIP3 of +17.6 dBm with 6.3 mW power consumption. The LNAs have a broadband input match of 50 Omega. The process is 90 nm CMOS and with 1.1 V supply the LNAs power consumption varies between 6.3 mW and 2.3 mW for the best and the worst case IIP3, respectively.

Naveed Ahsan

Papers

A self-tuning technique for optimization of dual band LNA

Dual Band Tunable LNA for Flexible RF Front End

A self-tuning technique for optimization of dual band LNA

Programmable microwave function array, PROMFA

Highly linear wideband low power current mode LNA