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J-band amplifier design using gain-enhanced cascodes in 0.13 μm SiGe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2015

Stefan Malz ,
Bernd Heinemann ,
Rudolf Lachner  and
Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
Stefan Malz*
Affiliation:
IHCT, University of Wuppertal, Rainer-Gruenter-Str. 21, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany
Bernd Heinemann
Affiliation:
IHP GmbH, Im Technologiepark 25, D-15236 Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
Rudolf Lachner
Affiliation:
Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-12, D-85579 Neubiberg, Germany
Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
Affiliation:
IHCT, University of Wuppertal, Rainer-Gruenter-Str. 21, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany
*
Corresponding author: S. Malz Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper presents two J-band amplifiers in different 0.13 μm SiGe technologies: a small signal amplifier (SSA) in a technology in which never before gain has been shown over 200 GHz; and a low noise amplifier (LNA) design for 230 GHz applications in an advanced SiGe HBT technology with higher fT/fmax, demonstrating the combination of high gain, low noise, and low power in a single amplifier. Both circuits consist of a four-stage pseudo-differential cascode topology. By employing series–series feedback at the single-stage level the small-signal gain is increased, enabling circuit operation at high-frequencies and with improved efficiency, while maintaining unconditional stability. The SSA was fabricated in a SiGe BiCMOS technology by Infineon with fT/fmax values of 250/360 GHz. It has measured 19.5 dB gain at 212 GHz with a 3 dB bandwidth of 21 GHz. It draws 65 mA from a 3.3 V supply. On the other hand, a LNA was designed in a SiGe BiCMOS technology by IHP with fT/fmax of 300/450 GHz. The LNA has measured 22.5 dB gain at 233 GHz with a 3 dB bandwidth of 10 GHz and a simulated noise figure of 12.5 dB. The LNA draws only 17 mA from a 4 V supply. The design methodology, which led to these record results, is described in detail with the LNA as an example.

Keywords

Low noise and communication receiversCircuit design and applications
Type
Research Papers
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 7 , Special Issue 3-4: European Microwave Week 2014 , June 2015 , pp. 339 - 347
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2015 

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