An X- and Ku-Band Wideband Recursive Receiver MMIC With Gain-Reuse

This paper presents an 8-18 GHz wideband receiver with recursive super-heterodyne topology. A multi-feedback technology is utilized in the LNA design for the input matching over the wide frequency range in X- and Ku-band. In order to save power, both the RF and IF signals share a tunable transconductance stage. The IF output of the first mixer is fed back into the tunable input stage for IF amplification in a recursive manner, which significantly enhances the gain tuning without increasing the power. The wideband receiver MMIC is implemented in a 0.13 SiGe BiCMOS technology and achieves a 6.7-7.8 dB noise figure. The receiver average gain over the frequency range is measured as 53 dB maximum gain with 20 dB continual tuning and 36 dB discrete tuning. The average output P1dB over the frequency range is measured as 10 dBm at maximum gain. The receiver dissipates only 180 mW with a 2.2 V power supply.