A 0.096-mm$^{2}~1$ –20-GHz Triple-Path Noise- Canceling Common-Gate Common-Source LNA With Dual Complementary pMOS–nMOS Configuration

Abstract

This article proposes a novel wideband common-gate (CG) common-source (CS) low-noise amplifier (LNA) with a dual complementary pMOS–nMOS configuration to provide a current-reuse output. Triple-path noise-cancellation is effectively revealed to eliminate the thermal noise of the two CG transistors. Simultaneously, partial cancellation of intrinsic third-order distortion of output-stage transistors improves the input third-order intercept point (IIP3). In addition, we embed a resistive feedback in one of the auxiliary CS amplifiers to balance the multiple tradeoffs between noise figure (NF), input matching (S11), and forward gain (S21). Fabricated in 65-nm CMOS, the proposed wideband LNA exhibits an IIP3 of 2.2–6.8 dBm and an NF of 3.3–5.3 dB across a 19-GHz BW while consuming 20.3 mW at 1.6 V. S11 is $\pi $ -type input-matching network. The LNA exhibits a peak $\text{S}_{\vphantom {D_{j}}21}$ of 12.8 dB and occupies a very compact die area of 0.096 mm2.