V-band variable gain amplifier applying efficient design methodology with scalable transmission lines

Abstract

In this study, a 60 GHz variable gain low noise amplifier with more than 20 dB gain is presented. An efficient design methodology employing scalable transmission lines is applied, which can avoid iterative EM simulations and predict the circuit behaviour very accurately. Different transmission line modelling approaches are compared to each other, and a simple yet flexible model is eventually chosen. The circuit has been fabricated and measured on-wafer. The power consumption of only 7.3 mW is, to the knowledge of the authors, the lowest value reported for a V-band amplifier.