Compact implementation of component library in LTCC technology and its application to CMOS RF power amplifier design

We present the implementation and characterization of an integrated component library in low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. Measured inductor Q factor as high as 100 and self-resonant-frequency (SRF) as high as 8 GHz have been demonstrated. The new vertically interdigitated capacitor (VIC) topology occupies nearly an order of magnitude less real estate while demonstrating comparable performance to the conventional topology. The library components have been incorporated in a 1.9 GHz CMOS power amplifier with measured 16 dB gain, 25 dBm output power and 40% power added efficiency (PAE). This is the first demonstration of a CMOS RF power amplifier circuit with fully integrated LTCC passives.