Physics-based simulation techniques for small- and large-signal device noise analysis in RF applications

Abstract

The paper presents a review on physics-based noise simulation techniques for RF semiconductor devices, starting with the small-signal case but with greater stress on noise in large-signal (quasi)-periodic operation. The nonautonomous (forced) operation case will be considered, which is relevant to all RF applications apart from oscillators. Besides their importance in device design, physics-based noise models can also suggest viable and correct strategies to implement circuit-oriented models, e.g., compact models. From this standpoint, the connection between physics-based and circuit-oriented modeling is discussed both in the small-signal and in the large-signal case, with particular stress on the treatment of colored noise in the large-signal periodic regime.