A +21.2 dBm out-of-band IIP3 0.2-3GHz RF front-end using impedance translation technique

This paper presents a SAW-less 0.2-3GHz front-end with high out-of-band linearity. Modified impedance translation technique based on N-path current driven mixer is used to improve out-of-band IIP3. At the input node, an 8-path passive mixer switched by 8-phase clocks at the frequency of f_LO/2 is utilized to achieve impedance match at f_LO and filter out-of-band interferes, while contribute negligible noise. Using a 4-path mixer as the LNA load, switched by 4-phase clocks at the frequency of f_LO, out-of-band interferes is further attenuated. Implemented in 65nm CMOS process, the proposed front-end aiming at reconfigurable receivers achieves a NF of 3-5dB from 0.2GHz to 3GHz, out-of-band IIP3 of 21.2dBm, and maximum gain of 45dB, respectively. The front-end consumes 13mA current at 0.2GHz and 27.5mA at 3GHz from a 1.2V voltage supply.