A multi-standard WLAN RF front-end transmitter with single-spiral dual-resonant tank loads

This paper describes a radio frequency (RF) front end transmitter for wireless LAN (WLAN), designed for the most common standards, integrated in digital CMOS 0.18mum technology. It covers 802.11a/b/g specifications, concurrently working in the 2.5GHz and 5-6GHz frequency ranges. An innovative solution for the design of the LC tank allows to use a single-spiral inductor in dual resonant tank, with a strong reduction in die area. The dual band RF transmitter size is only 1mm, the smallest ever reported in literature