Analysis and design of feed-forward current mode amplifiers using individual suppression of complex harmonics

We discuss a systematic, semi-analytical approach to the design of large signal current mode amplifiers. The main steps of the recently developed linearization technique, individual suppression of complex harmonics, are presented along with a short overview of existing linearization techniques. The technique is illustrated by two flavors of design of a transconductor amplifier, implemented in SiGe. The measured performance features large signal linearity of 78 dBc, linearization efficiency of 20 dBc and high robustness to process variations (the scatter of 90% of results is within ±1 dB). Although the procedure is demonstrated on particular examples, it is applicable to a wide class of current mode amplifiers.