Adaptive CMOS LNA using highly tunable active inductor

This paper presents the design of an inductor-less low noise amplifier (LNA) using high tunable and novel active inductor in 0.18um CMOS technology. A high tunable active inductor is used instead of spiral inductor. A common source cascode amplifier with RC feedback is used in the LNA circuit topology. Input and output impedance matching is implemented by using two stages source follower circuit to matching input and output impedance to 50 Ω. The LNA is simulated with cadence spectra and shows the gain of 21 dB at 1.57 GHz, S₁₁ of -17 dB, 5₂₂ of -16 dB and NF_min of 1.9 dB. The total power consumption is 13.5 mW from 1.8 V dc power supply. By using a novel, high quality factor, high inductance and tunable active inductor the total chip size is reduced dramatically.