An 8mA, 3.8dB NF, 40dB gain CMOS front-end for GPS applications

A fully differential 0.35µm CMOS LNA plus mixer, tailored to a double conversion architecture, for GPS applications has been realized. The LNA makes use of an inductively degenerated input stage and a resonant LC load, featuring 12% frequency tuning, accomplished by an MOS varactor. The mixer is a Gilbert cell like, in which an NMOS and a PMOS differential pair, shunted together, realize the input stage. This topology allows to save power, for given mixer gain and linearity. The front-end measured performances are: 40dB gain, 3.8dB NF,

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: ISLPED
• Authors: F. Svelto, S. Deantoni, G. Montagna, R. Castello
• Keywords: Hardware, Input Stage, ISLPED 2000, Mixer Gain, Resonant Lc Load