A 3-GHz 32-dB CMOS limiting amplifier for SONET OC-48 receivers

A CMOS limiting amplifier with a bandwidth of 3 GHz, a gain of 32 dB, and a noise figure of 16 dB is described. The amplifier is fabricated in a standard 2.5-V 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS technology and consumes 53 mW. Inversely scaled amplifier stages and active inductors with a low voltage drop are used to achieve this performance. The amplifier is targeted for use in 2.5-Gb/s (OC-48) SONET systems.