A New Application of Current Conveyors: The Design of Wideband Controllable Low-Noise Amplifiers

Abstract

The aim of this paper is three-fold. First, it reviews the low-noise amplifier and its relevance in wireless communications receivers. Then it presents an exhaustive review of the existing topologies. Finally, it introduces a new class of LNAs, based on current conveyors, describing the founding principle and the performances of a new single-ended LNA. The new LNAs offer the following notable advantages: total absence of passive elements (and the smallest LNAs in their respective classes); wideband performance, with stable frequency responses from 0 to 3 GHz; easy gain control over wide ranges (0 to 20 dB). Comparisons with other topologies prove that the new class of LNA greatly advances the state of the art.