Analog automatic gain control (AGC) CMOS WLAN direct conversion receiver (DCR)

The exponential growth of wireless communication in portable device market has been increasing the demand for very flexible RF transceivers, including the ability of communicating in an unpredictable environment, from very weak to highly powered signal levels without losing its functionality. In this paper we present an automatic continuous gain control CMOS receiver for 2.4GHz ISM band with minimum NF of 1.45dB at highest gain mode, ICP of -9dBm at lowest gain mode, and gain variation of 30dB, from 40dB to 10dB. It contains a continuous variable gain LNA, a down-conversion Mixer and a RMS-detector consuming 30mW under 1.8V power supply.