LNA-ESD-PCB codesign for robust operation of IR-UWB non-coherent receiver

In this paper, we present a radio frequency (RF) front-end design for increasing robustness of non-coherent energy detection based impulse radio (IR) ultra-wideband (UWB) receivers in impulsive noise environment. Robustness against impulsive noise is achieved by on chip LNA-bandpass filter (BPF) circuit, which also works as a clipper for high energy impulsive noise bursts. The electrostatic discharge (ESD), wirebond, pad capacitance, and the chip package model are co-designed with wideband cascode LNA structure. These unwanted capacitive and inductive elements are designed as a part of input BPF. The LNA output stage includes an inductor that is coupling with the input capacitance of the VGA block results in additional filtering. In the post-layout simulations, 45 dB impulsive noise compression has been achieved. It has been shown that the RF front-end and LNA output stage reduces the impulsive noise and increases the noise performance of the IR-UWB receiver, hence becoming robust against the impulsive noise.