On the design of customizable low-voltage common-gate LNA-mixer pair using current and charge reusing techniques

ABSTRACT

Given the fast growth of battery-powered wireless communication devices, developing customizable low-voltage low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and mixers has become a crucial design consideration in RF front ends. In this paper, we present a low-voltage LNA-mixer pair design based on the common-gate topology. Current-reuse, current bleeding, and charge injection techniques are utilized in order to maximize the gain with minimal additive power consumption. Leveraging our analytical models, the design space can be explored to optimally design the LNA-mixer pair for customizable operating frequency. Simulation results demonstrate the performance improvement using our design technique.

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Index Terms

• Hardware

  • Hardware validation

    • Functional verification

      • Simulation and emulation