ABSTRACT
A broad range of modern high-volume consumer applications require the availability of low-power and wireless microsystems. These systems, among others, should conciliate low-voltage, low-power operation with reduced overall dimensions and versatility. In addition, recent advances in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes lead to nanometer-scale transistor structures, suitable for high-frequency operation. In this chapter, the authors present design approaches suitable for low-voltage operation and techniques to improve circuit performance that may operate with power supplies below 1V, focusing on the linearity improvement of both low-noise amplifiers (LNA) and mixer designs. They examine design limitations for low-voltage supply and show how magnetic feedback can be used for improving the reverse isolation and linearity of a low-voltage LNA and for enhancing the noise and linearity performance of a mixer operating at 1 V. The authors also examine how magnetic feedback can be used in order to increase the linearity of an integrated LNA, while still focusing on low-voltage applications.
