A 60 GHz variable-gain low-noise amplifier with low phase variation

Abstract

A 60 GHz variable-gain low-noise amplifier (VGLNA) with low phase variation performance is developed in 65-nm CMOS process. The variable-gain function is achieved by current-steering architecture. To reduce the phase variation while gain changes, a short stub is added to compensate the phase imbalance and reduce the noise from the cascode devices simultaneously. The measured peak gain is 19.8 dB at 66 GHz, lowest noise figure (NF) is 4.3 dB at 60 GHz, and dc power consumption is 28.8 mW. The phase variation is lower than 8.9° within 18 dB gain control range.