Low-power multistage low noise amplifiers for wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Two multistage low noise amplifiers are presented. Supply voltages are 0.4 V and 1.2 V, respectively, with bias currents of 4.4 mA and 2.09 mA. Both designs are suitable for low-power applications in the 2.4 GHz band. Circuits have been implemented and simulated using a UMC 130 nm RF-CMOS process. The amplifiers provide, respectively, a 14.4 dB power gain, a noise figure NF <2.2 dB and a 1-dB compression point of −19.9 dBm, whereas dissipating 1.77 mW and a 12.7 dB power gain, a noise figure NF <1.59, a 1-dB compression point of −15.45 dBm with a 2.5 mW power dissipation. Such performance makes these designs suitable for wireless sensor network applications such as ZigBee.