High-dynamic-range VGA with temperature compensation and linear-in-dB gain control

This paper presents the design and measured performance of a novel intermediate-frequency variable-gain amplifier for Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) transmitters. A compensation technique for parasitic coupling is proposed which allows a high dynamic range of 77 dB to be attained at 400 MHz while using a single variable-gain stage. Temperature compensation and decibel-linear characteristic are achieved by means of a control circuit which provides a lower than /spl plusmn/1.5 dB gain error over full temperature and gain ranges. The device is fabricated in a 0.8-/spl mu/m 46 GHz f/sub T/ silicon bipolar technology and drains up to 6 mA from a 2.7-V power supply.