CMOS low noise amplifiers for 1.575 GHz GPS applications

This paper presents Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) versions designed for 1.575 GHz L1 Band Global Positioning System (GPS) applications. A 0.35 μm standard CMOS process is used for implementation of these design versions. Different versions are designed to compare the results, analyze some effects and optimize some critical performance criteria. On-chip inductors with different quality factors and a slight topology change are utilized to achieve this variety. It is proven through both on-wafer and on-PCB measurements that the LNA versions operate at a supply voltage range varying from 2.1 V to 3.6 V drawing a current of 10 mA and achieve a gain of 13 dB to 17 dB with a Noise Figure (NF) of 1.5 dB. Input referred 1 dB compression point (ICP) is measured as 5.5 dBm and 10 dBm for different versions.