A model inaccuracy aware design methodology of millimeter-wave CMOS tuned amplifiers

This paper presents a systematic design methodology of millimeter wave (mm-wave) CMOS tuned amplifier which, for the first time to the best of authors' knowledge, takes the model inaccuracy at mm-wave frequencies into design consideration. Millimeter-wave models for both passive and active components are developed based on the standard foundry provided models with extra critical variation components which represent modeling uncertainties. The proposed model is verified through a comparison with the measured results of the test structures. The design methodology of tolerating the modeling uncertainties is demonstrated by a design example of a 65nm CMOS 57–64 GHz low noise amplifier, which has a 20 dB gain and a minimum 5 dB noise figure with 26 mA current consumption under 1 V supply.

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