Feedback Multiband LNA With Resonant Inductive Band Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiband low noise amplifier (LNA) designs face challenges in achieving low area consumption while maintaining performance across multiple frequency bands, as broadband LNAs require high linearity and separate narrowband LNAs incur a large area penalty.

Innovation Solution

A low noise amplifying circuit with a feedback amplifier and inductive sections with predetermined resonance frequencies, where the inductive sections are directly connected to the output and provide feedback to the input, allowing for narrowband operation and reduced area consumption by using low-Q inductors at noise-insensitive nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If broadband LNA design is used to cover multiple frequency bands, then bandwidth is improved, but linearity requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidlinearity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The broadband frequency range is segmented into multiple narrowband frequency bands, each handled by a separate LNA stage. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific band, maintaining high linearity while collectively covering a wide bandwidth through parallel operation of multiple narrowband stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate narrowband LNAs are used for each frequency band, then linearity is improved, but area consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelinearityVSAvoidarea consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple narrowband LNA stages are merged into a single integrated circuit structure with shared components such as bias circuits, impedance matching networks, and output combining logic. This merging approach maintains the linearity benefits of separate narrowband stages while dramatically reducing the total area consumption compared to discrete implementations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiband LNA design is used to compromise between wideband and separate LNAs, then bandwidth is improved, but area consumption remains relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidarea consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The LNA employs dynamic band selection through switching mechanisms that activate only the required narrowband stage based on the input frequency. This dynamic operation allows the circuit to maintain wideband adaptability while consuming minimal area, as only one narrowband stage needs to be fully implemented rather than all stages simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design achieves a low noise figure and reduced area consumption by exploiting active feedback and inductive sections, enabling efficient multiband operation with minimal area penalty and improved linearity, outperforming previous designs in terms of noise figure and area usage.

Implementation Method 1

The/each frequency band determining inductive section is the circuit part which in operation mainly determinates the frequency band in which signals are amplified

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2158676B1Switchable multiband LNA design
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)
  • EP2158676B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2158676B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2158676B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A low noise amplifying (LNA) circuit comprising a feedback amplifier with an amplifying section and a feedback means arranged for providing input matching from the output to the input. The LNA circuit further comprises at least one frequency band determining inductive section having a predetermined resonance frequency for influencing at least one frequency band in which the amplifying section operates. The at least one frequency band determining inductive section is directly connected to the output of the circuit and the feedback means provides a feedback connection for the section(s) to the input. In this way, the at least one frequency band in which the amplifying section operates is substantially completely determined by the at least one frequency band determining inductive section.