Design and Analysis of CMOS LNAs with Transformer Feedback for Wideband Input Matching and Noise Cancellation

Abstract

This paper presents a new transformer-feedback technique for RF and millimeter-wave (mmW) low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). The working principle of conventional LNAs using transformers is analyzed to show their underlying performance trade-off between input matching and noise figure (NF). To mitigate this issue, a new feedback technique is developed by constructing a drain-to-gate feedback path around the input transistor with a transformer and then further demonstrated by two LNA prototypes. In the first LNA aiming for software-defined radio (SDR) applications, the proposed technique not only achieves wideband input matching but also enables noise cancellation through an auxiliary out-of-phase forward path. Fabricated in 0.13- $\mu \text {m}$ CMOS, the LNA measures voltage gain >14 dB, minimum NF of 1.8 dB, IIP3 of 1.8–3.8 dBm, and S11 $\text{S}_{{11}}$ remains below −10 dB from 49.5 to 67 GHz.