A low-power compact radio frequency low noise amplifier based on current reuse

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of semiconductor integrated circuits, and relates to a low-power compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing, which comprises an input matching network, a common-source single-ended amplification stage, an inter-stage matching balun, a common-source differential amplification stage and an output matching balun; the input end of the input matching network is connected with an input end IN, and the output end of the input matching network is connected with the input end of the common-source single-ended amplification stage; the output end of the common-source single-ended amplification stage is connected with the input end of the inter-stage matching balun, and the power supply end of the common-source single-ended amplification stage is connected with the ground end of the common-source differential amplification stage; the output end of the inter-stage matching balun is connected with the input end of the common-source differential amplification stage; the output end of the common-source differential amplification stage is connected with the input end of the output matching balun; the power supply end of the output matching balun is connected with a power supply end Vdd, and the output end of the output matching balun is connected with an output end OUT; the application realizes low power consumption and small size based on current multiplexing and inductance multiplexing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of semiconductor integrated circuits and relates to a low-power compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing. Background Technology

[0002] The low-noise amplifier is a key component of an RF receiver. Its function is to amplify RF signals while maintaining low noise. The performance parameters of the low-noise amplifier, such as gain, noise figure, power consumption, and operating bandwidth, have a significant impact on the system performance.

[0003] With the increasing integration of next-generation wireless communication systems, there is an urgent need for low-power, compact, low-noise amplifiers. To improve interference immunity, low-noise amplifiers typically employ a differential structure. Traditional low-noise amplifiers usually use a single-ended structure in the first stage and a differential structure in the second stage to simultaneously achieve low noise and strong interference immunity.

[0004] However, two-stage amplifiers increase power consumption and chip size. Therefore, designing a low-power, compact, low-noise amplifier is of significant engineering value. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this invention employs a low-power, compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing, comprising: an input matching network, a common-source single-ended amplifier stage, an inter-stage matching balun, a common-source differential amplifier stage, and an output matching balun, and is provided with an input terminal IN, an output terminal OUT, and a power supply terminal Vdd;

[0006] The input terminal of the input matching network is connected to the input terminal IN, and the output terminal of the input matching network is connected to the input terminal of the common source single-ended amplifier stage;

[0007] The output of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the input of the interstage matching balun, and the power supply of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the ground of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

[0008] The output of the interstage matched balun is connected to the input of the common-source differential amplifier stage; the output of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the input of the output matched balun.

[0009] The power supply terminal of the output matching balun is connected to the power supply terminal Vdd, and the output terminal of the output matching balun is connected to the output terminal OUT.

[0010] Beneficial effects:

[0011] 1. This invention is based on current multiplexing and uses a three-layer transistor stacking architecture to achieve low power consumption and small size. The common-source single-ended amplifier stage in the first stage and the common-source differential amplifier stage in the second stage share current, which can significantly reduce the amplifier's power consumption. 2. In this invention, transistors M2 and M3 in the common-source differential amplifier stage share current, which can both amplify the differential signal and further reduce the amplifier's power consumption. 3. In this invention, inductor L8 serves as both the coupling inductor for the output matching balun and the RF isolation inductor between transistors M2 and M3. Inductor L10 serves as both the coupling inductor for the output matching balun and the choke inductor between transistor M3 and the power supply terminal Vdd. Therefore, by using inductor multiplexing, two fewer inductors can be used, reducing the chip size. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a low-power compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing is provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This invention provides an overall structural diagram of a low-power, compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing, as shown in an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the input matching network provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a common-source single-ended amplifier stage provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of an inter-level matching balun provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the common-source differential amplifier stage provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 7 The structural diagram of the output matching balun provided in the embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, this embodiment of the invention employs a low-power compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing, which adopts a two-stage amplification structure based on current multiplexing, including: an input matching network, a common-source single-ended amplification stage, an inter-stage matching balun, a common-source differential amplification stage, and an output matching balun, and is provided with an input terminal IN, an output terminal OUT, a power supply terminal Vdd, a bias voltage terminal Vb1, a bias voltage terminal Vb2, and a bias voltage terminal Vb3;

[0021] One end (input terminal) of the input matching network is connected to the input terminal IN to receive the input signal. The second end (bias terminal) of the input matching network is connected to the bias voltage terminal Vb1. The third end (output terminal) of the input matching network is connected to one end (input terminal) of the common source single-ended amplifier stage.

[0022] The output terminal (2) of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the input terminal (1) of the interstage matching balun, and the power supply terminal (3) of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the ground terminal (2) of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

[0023] The output terminals (terminals 2 and 3) of the interstage matching balun are connected to the input terminals (terminals 6 and 3) of the common-source differential amplifier stage; specifically, terminal 2 of the interstage matching balun is connected to terminal 6 of the common-source differential amplifier stage, and terminal 3 of the interstage matching balun is connected to terminal 3 of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

[0024] The common-source differential amplifier stage has its 1st terminal (bias terminal) connected to the bias voltage terminal Vb2, its 7th terminal (bias terminal) connected to the bias voltage terminal Vb3, its output terminals (4th, 5th, and 8th terminals) connected to the input terminals (1st, 2nd, and 4th terminals) of the output matching balun; its 8th terminal connected to its 4th terminal; its 5th terminal connected to its 2nd terminal; and its 4th terminal connected to its 1st terminal.

[0025] The 3rd terminal (power supply terminal) of the output matching balun is connected to the power supply terminal Vdd for power supply connection, and the 5th terminal (output terminal) of the output matching balun is connected to the output terminal OUT for outputting the final signal of the amplifier.

[0026] The circuit works as follows: The input signal at input terminal IN enters the input matching network through terminal 1. The input matching network completes the matching between input terminal IN and the input terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage. The signal output from terminal 3 of the input matching network enters the common-source single-ended amplifier stage. The common-source single-ended amplifier stage amplifies the signal entering its terminal 1 while maintaining low noise. The amplified signal enters terminal 1 of the interstage matching balun. The interstage matching balun completes the matching between the output terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage and the input terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage, and simultaneously amplifies the signal entering its terminal 1. The single-ended signal of the inter-stage matching balun is converted into a differential signal and transmitted to the input of the common-source differential amplifier stage through terminals 2 and 3. The common-source differential amplifier stage amplifies the signal entering through terminals 3 and 6 for the second time and transmits the amplified signal to terminals 1 and 4 of the output matching balun through terminals 4 and 8. The output matching balun completes the matching between the output of the common-source differential amplifier stage and the load output terminal OUT, and at the same time converts the differential signal entering the output matching balun into a single-ended signal and transmits the single-ended signal to the load output terminal OUT through terminal 5 of the output matching balun.

[0027] The DC current path is as follows: from the power supply Vdd, it flows into terminal 3 of the output matching balun; from terminal 4 of the output matching balun, it flows into terminal 8 of the common-source differential amplifier stage; from terminal 8 of the common-source differential amplifier stage, it flows into transistor M3; from transistor M3, it flows into transistor M2; from terminal 2 of the common-source differential amplifier stage, it flows into terminal 3 of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage; and then from the ground terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage, it flows into the ground. This embodiment of the invention uses the above path for current multiplexing, which is beneficial for achieving low power consumption and small size.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the input matching network includes: a DC blocking capacitor C1, a bias resistor R1, and a gate matching inductor L1; one end of the input matching network is connected to one end of the capacitor C1, the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 and the inductor L1 respectively, the other end of the resistor R1 is connected to one end of the input matching network, and the other end of the inductor L1 is connected to one end of the input matching network.

[0029] The input matching network uses a gate matching inductor L1 to maintain the imaginary part of the input impedance of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage near 0 while introducing relatively little noise, thus achieving conjugate matching between the signal input terminal IN and the input terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage. Furthermore, the bias resistor R1 and the DC blocking capacitor C1 provide gate voltage bias for transistor M1. The DC blocking capacitor C1 provides DC isolation between the signal input terminal and the gate of M1.

[0030] like Figure 4As shown, the common-source single-ended amplifier stage includes: source degradation inductor L2, transistor M1, DC blocking capacitor C2, and choke inductor L3; terminal 1 of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the gate of transistor M1, the source of M1 is connected to one end of inductor L2, the other end of inductor L2 is grounded, the drain of M1 is connected to one end of capacitor C2 and inductor L3 respectively, the other end of capacitor C2 is connected to terminal 2 of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage, and the other end of inductor L3 is connected to terminal 3 of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage;

[0031] The common-source single-ended amplifier stage uses a source-degraded inductor L2, achieving both superior noise matching and conjugate matching. A DC blocking capacitor C2 enables RF signal transmission between the common-source single-ended amplifier stage and the inter-stage matching balun; a choke inductor L3 isolates the RF signals between the first and second amplifier stages and allows for the multiplexing of DC current between them, reducing power consumption.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, the interstage matching balun includes: coupling inductors L4, L5, L6, and L7; one end of the interstage matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L6, the other end of inductor L6 is connected to one end of inductor L4, the other end of inductor L4 is grounded, one end of the interstage matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L7, the other end of inductor L7 is connected to one end of inductor L5, and the other end of inductor L5 is connected to one end of the interstage matching balun.

[0033] The interstage matching balun consists of primary coil inductors L4 and L6 and secondary coil inductors L5 and L7. Inductors L4 and L6 have the same inductance value, and inductors L5 and L7 have the same inductance value. Inductors L4 and L5 are coupled together with a coupling coefficient of k1, and inductors L6 and L7 are also coupled together with a coupling coefficient of k1, where k1 depends on the impedance matching of the specific circuit. The interstage matching balun achieves matching between the output of the first stage amplifier and the input of the second stage amplifier through electromagnetic coupling, converting single-ended signals into differential signals.

[0034] like Figure 6As shown, the common-source differential amplifier stage includes: DC blocking capacitors C4 and C6, bias resistors R2 and R3, neutralizing capacitors C5 and C6, transistors M2 and M3, and DC blocking capacitor C3. Terminal 1 of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to one end of resistor R2. The other end of resistor R2 is connected to the gate of transistor M2, one end of capacitor C4, and one end of capacitor C5. The other end of capacitor C4 is connected to terminal 3 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of capacitor C5 is connected to the drain of transistor M3 and terminal 8 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The source of transistor M2 is connected to one end of capacitor C3 and the second end of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of capacitor C3 is grounded. The drain of transistor M2 is connected to one end of capacitor C6 and the fourth end of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of capacitor C6 is connected to one end of capacitor C7, one end of resistor R3, and the gate of transistor M3. The other end of capacitor C7 is connected to the sixth end of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of resistor R3 is connected to the seventh end of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The source of transistor M3 is connected to the fifth end of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

[0035] The common-source differential amplifier stage employs a differential structure. Transistors M2 and M3 are isolated from the radio frequency signal and have their DC current multiplexed through inductor L8, thereby further reducing power consumption. M2 and M3 are biased by bias resistor R2 and DC blocking capacitor C4, while M2 and M3 are biased by bias resistor R3 and DC blocking capacitor C7, respectively. Neutralizing capacitors C5 and C6 are used in M2 and M3 to mitigate the Miller effect caused by gate-drain parasitic capacitance, improving the stability of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

[0036] like Figure 7 As shown, the output matching balun includes: coupling inductors L8, L9, L10, L11 and DC blocking capacitors C8 and C9; terminal 1 of the output matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L8, the other end of inductor L8 is connected to terminal 2 of the output matching balun and one end of capacitor C8, the other end of capacitor C8 is grounded, terminal 3 of the output matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L10, the other end of L10 is connected to terminal 4 of the output matching balun, terminal 5 of the output matching balun is connected to one end of capacitor C9, the other end of capacitor C9 is connected to inductor L11, the other end of inductor L11 is connected to one end of inductor L9, the other end of inductor L9 is grounded.

[0037] The output matching balun includes primary coil inductors L8 and L10, secondary coil inductors L9 and L11, and DC blocking capacitors C8 and C9. Inductors L8 and L10 have the same inductance value, and L9 and L11 have the same inductance value. Inductors L8 and L9 are coupled with a coupling coefficient of k2, and inductors L10 and L11 are also coupled with a coupling coefficient of k2, where k2 depends on the impedance matching of the specific circuit. The output matching balun achieves matching between the output of the common-source differential amplifier stage and the load output through electromagnetic coupling, converting the differential signal into a single-ended signal. Furthermore, primary coil inductor L8 also serves as the RF isolation inductor between transistors M2 and M3, and L10 also acts as the choke inductor between transistor M3 and the power supply terminal Vdd. This inductor multiplexing reduces the number of inductors used, decreasing chip size and achieving a compact design. DC blocking capacitor C8 provides AC ground for both transistor M3 and inductor L8, while DC blocking capacitor C9 provides DC isolation between the output of the output matching balun and the load output terminal OUT.

[0038] The above-described embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made to the present invention within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-power, compact radio frequency low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing, characterized in that, include: It includes an input matching network, a common-source single-ended amplifier stage, an interstage matching balun, a common-source differential amplifier stage, and an output matching balun, and is equipped with an input terminal IN, an output terminal OUT, and a power supply terminal Vdd; The input terminal of the input matching network is connected to the input terminal IN, and the output terminal of the input matching network is connected to the input terminal of the common source single-ended amplifier stage; The output of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the input of the interstage matching balun, and the power supply of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the ground of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The output of the interstage matched balun is connected to the input of the common-source differential amplifier stage; the output of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the input of the output matched balun. The power supply terminal of the output matching balun is connected to the power supply terminal Vdd, and the output terminal of the output matching balun is connected to the output terminal OUT.

2. The low-power compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes bias voltage terminals Vb1, Vb2, and Vb3; the bias terminal of the input matching network is connected to the bias voltage terminal Vb1, and the bias terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the bias voltage terminals Vb2 and Vb3.

3. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input matching network includes: a DC blocking capacitor C1, a bias resistor R1, and a gate matching inductor L1; the input terminal of the input matching network is connected to one end of the capacitor C1, the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 and the inductor L1 respectively, the other end of the resistor R1 is connected to the bias terminal of the input matching network, and the other end of the inductor L1 is connected to the output terminal of the input matching network.

4. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The common-source single-ended amplifier stage includes: a source degenerate inductor L2, a transistor M1, a DC blocking capacitor C2, and a choke inductor L3. The input terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage is connected to the gate of transistor M1. The source of transistor M1 is connected to one end of inductor L2, and the other end of inductor L2 is grounded. The drain of transistor M1 is connected to one end of capacitor C2 and one end of inductor L3. The other end of capacitor C2 is connected to the output terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage, and the other end of inductor L3 is connected to the power supply terminal of the common-source single-ended amplifier stage.

5. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interstage matching balun includes inductors L4, L5, L6, and L7. Inductors L4 and L5 are coupled together, and inductors L6 and L7 are coupled together. The output terminals of the interstage matching balun include terminals 2 and 3. The input terminal of the interstage matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L6, the other end of inductor L6 is connected to one end of inductor L4, the other end of inductor L4 is grounded, terminal 2 of the interstage matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L7, the other end of inductor L7 is connected to one end of inductor L5, and the other end of inductor L5 is connected to terminal 3 of the interstage matching balun.

6. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inductance value of inductor L4 is the same as that of inductor L6, and the inductance value of inductor L5 is the same as that of inductor L7.

7. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The common-source differential amplifier stage includes: DC blocking capacitors C4 and C6, bias resistors R2 and R3, neutralizing capacitors C5 and C6, transistors M2 and M3, and DC blocking capacitor C3. The input terminals of the common-source differential amplifier stage include terminals 3 and 6, the output terminals include terminals 4, 5, and 8, and the bias terminals include terminals 1 and 7. Terminal 1 of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to one end of resistor R2. The other end of resistor R2 is connected to the gate of transistor M2, one end of capacitor C4, and one end of capacitor C5. The other end of capacitor C4 is connected to terminal 3 of the common-source differential amplifier stage, and the other end of capacitor C5 is connected to transistor M3. The drain of transistor M2 is connected to terminal 8 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The source of transistor M2 is connected to one end of capacitor C3 and the ground terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of capacitor C3 is grounded. The drain of transistor M2 is connected to one end of capacitor C6 and terminal 4 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of capacitor C6 is connected to one end of capacitor C7, one end of resistor R3, and the gate of transistor M3. The other end of capacitor C7 is connected to terminal 6 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The other end of resistor R3 is connected to terminal 7 of the common-source differential amplifier stage. The source of transistor M3 is connected to terminal 5 of the common-source differential amplifier stage.

8. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The output matching balun includes inductors L8, L9, L10, and L11, and DC blocking capacitors C8 and C9. Inductors L8 and L9 are coupled to each other, and inductors L10 and L11 are coupled to each other. The input terminals of the output matching balun include terminals 1, 2, and 4. Terminal 1 of the output matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L8. The other end of inductor L8 is connected to terminal 2 of the output matching balun and one end of capacitor C8. The other end of capacitor C8 is grounded. The power supply terminal of the output matching balun is connected to one end of inductor L10. The other end of L10 is connected to terminal 4 of the output matching balun. The output terminal of the output matching balun is connected to one end of capacitor C9. The other end of capacitor C9 is connected to inductor L11. The other end of inductor L11 is connected to one end of inductor L9. The other end of inductor L9 is grounded.

9. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 8, characterized in that, The 8th terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the 4th terminal of the output matching balun, the 5th terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the 2nd terminal of the output matching balun, and the 4th terminal of the common-source differential amplifier stage is connected to the 1st terminal of the output matching balun.

10. A low-power, compact RF low-noise amplifier based on current multiplexing according to claim 8, characterized in that, Inductor L8 and inductor L10 have the same inductance value, and inductor L9 and inductor L11 have the same inductance value.

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