A 1 V 0.9 dB NF low noise amplifier for 5-6 GHz WLAN in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS

A low-noise amplifier employing transformer feedback for 5-6 GHz WLAN applications operates from a 1 V supply and achieves a measured gain of 14.2 dB, noise figure (NF) of 0.9 dB, and IIP3 of +0.9 dBm, while consuming 16 mW. We benchmark the feedback design to a cascode topology fabricated in the same technology that realizes 14.1 dB gain, 1.8 dB NF, and IIP3 of +4.2 dBm while dissipating 21.6 mW at 1.8 V. Both designs are fully-differential and are implemented in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS.