CMOS RFIC Design Principles (Artech House Microwave Library)

456 Pages·2007·9.41 MB·English

by  Robert Caverly

CMOS RFIC Design Principles
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
The technical descriptions, procedures, and computer programs in this book have
beendevelopedwiththegreatestofcareandtheyhavebeenusefultotheauthorina
broadrangeofapplications;however,theyareprovidedasis,withoutwarrantyof
any kind. Artech House, Inc. and the author and editors of the book titled CMOS
RFIC Design Principles make no warranties, expressed or implied, that the equa-
tions, programs, and procedures in this book or its associated software are free of
error,orareconsistentwithanyparticularstandardofmerchantability,orwillmeet
yourrequirementsforanyparticularapplication.Theyshouldnotberelieduponfor
solvingaproblemwhoseincorrectsolutioncouldresultininjurytoapersonorloss
ofproperty.Anyuseoftheprogramsorproceduresinsuchamannerisattheuser’s
ownrisk.Theeditors,author,andpublisherdisclaimallliabilityfordirect,inciden-
tal,orconsequentdamagesresultingfromuseoftheprogramsorproceduresinthis
book or the associated software.
For a listing of recent titles in the ArtechHouse Microwave Library,
turn to the back of this book.
CMOS RFIC Design Principles
Robert Caverly
artechhouse.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the U. S. Library of Congress.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59693-132-9
Cover design by Igor Valdman
© 2007 ARTECH HOUSE, INC.
685 Canton Street
Norwood, MA 02062
Allrightsreserved.PrintedandboundintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Nopartofthisbook
maybereproducedorutilizedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includ-
ing photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
Alltermsmentionedinthisbookthatareknowntobetrademarksorservicemarkshave
beenappropriatelycapitalized.ArtechHousecannotattesttotheaccuracyofthisinforma-
tion.Useofaterminthisbookshouldnotberegardedasaffectingthevalidityofanytrade-
mark or service mark.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To my parents, Bob and Janet:
for giving me a shortwave radio as a
Christmas present all those years ago.

Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xiv
CHAPTER 1
Introduction 1
1.1 Historical Perspective and Background 1
1.1.1 A (Very) Brief History 1
1.1.2 Basic Communication System Architectures 8
1.1.4 Multiple Users 16
1.2 Review of System Fundamentals 17
1.2.1 System Gain 17
1.2.2 System Noise Figure 18
1.2.3 System Nonlinearities 30
1.2.4 Link Budget 39
1.3 Introduction to the Book 43
References 46
Selected Bibliography 47
CHAPTER 2
CMOS Integrated Circuit Fundamentals 49
2.1 Review of CMOS Technology 49
2.1.1 The CMOS Physical Structure 49
2.1.2 Technology Scaling 51
2.2 The MOSFET 52
2.2.1 The Basic n-Channel MOSFET 52
2.2.2 The Basic p-Channel MOSFET 55
2.2.3 Design Note: dc characteristics 58
2.2.4 Basic MOSFET RF Equivalent Circuit Model 58
2.2.5 Advanced MOSFET RF Equivalent Circuit Model 61
2.2.6 Linear Operation of the MOSFET 70
2.3 MOSFET Weak Inversion and Accumulation Operation 74
2.3.1 Accumulation Mode 74
2.3.2 Weak Inversion–Subthreshold Operation 76
2.3.3 MOSFET Variable-Voltage Capacitors 79
2.4 Review ofS-Parameters 81
2.5 SPICE Modeling of CMOS RF Circuits 85
2.5.1 SPICE Level 3 85
vii
viii Contents
2.5.2 BSIM Parameters 86
References 87
Selected Bibliography 89
CHAPTER 3
The Passive Components 91
3.1 Capacitors 91
3.1.1 Metal-Insulator-Metal Capacitors 91
3.1.2 RFIC Capacitance RF Equivalent Circuit Model 94
3.1.3 Concept of Top/Bottom Plate 95
3.1.4 Modeling Example 96
3.2 Inductors 98
3.2.1 On-Chip Inductor Types 98
3.2.2 Planar Spiral Inductor RF Equivalent Circuit Model 102
3.2.3 Reduction of Inductor Parasitics 103
3.2.4 Modeling Example 105
3.2.5 Transformers 107
3.2.6 Transmission Lines and Equivalents 115
3.3 Interconnections 116
3.3.1 Simple RC Models 117
3.3.2 Transmission Line Models 118
3.4 RF Microelectrical Mechanical Systems 119
3.4.1 Basic Types and Operation 120
3.4.2 Actuation Voltage 120
3.4.3 MEMS Switches 122
3.4.4 MEMS Resonators 124
3.4.5 MEMS Reliability and Packaging 125
3.5 Basic Packaging 126
3.5.1 Anatomy of an RF Package 126
3.5.2 Bond Wire Inductance 128
3.5.3 Package and Pad Capacitance 128
3.5.4 Thermal Properties—Thermal Resistance 128
3.6 RFIC Grounding and Signal Isolation 131
3.6.1 The Grounding Problem 131
3.6.2 Ground and Isolation Improvements 133
References 136
Selected Bibliography 138
CHAPTER 4
Small-Signal MOS Amplifiers for RF 139
4.1 Basic Amplifying Structure 139
4.1.1 Single FET with Generalized Load 139
4.1.2 Amplifier Loading 147
4.1.3 Effect of Parasitics 151
4.1.4 Basic Behavioral Model 155
4.2 Improvements to the Basic Amplifying Structure 155
4.2.1 Cascode Circuits 155
Contents ix
4.2.2 Multigate Finger Layouts 158
4.2.3 DifferentialAmplifiers 160
4.2.4 Current Reuse 163
4.2.5 Input/Output Impedance Modeling Example 165
4.3 Amplifier and On-Chip Biasing 168
4.3.1 Current Mirror Structures 169
4.4 Amplifier Matching 179
4.4.1 Classic LC 179
4.4.2 Inductive Matching: Source Degeneration 180
4.4.3 Example of LC Matching 183
4.4.4 Frequency Agile Matching 184
4.5 Low-Noise Amplifiers 190
4.5.1 Noise Modeling for LNAs: Common Source LNA 190
4.5.2 Noise Modeling for LNAs: Common Gate LNA 194
4.5.3 Modeling Example 198
4.5.4 Stability Considerations in MOS RFIC Amplifiers 200
References 201
Selected Bibliography 202
CHAPTER 5
Ancillary CMOS Circuits and Measurements 203
5.1 Ancillary CMOS RFIC Circuits 203
5.1.1 Negative g Circuits (Q-Enhancement) 203
m
5.1.2 Source Follower 206
5.1.3 Simple Automatic Gain Control Circuits 207
5.2 Ancillary Passive CMOS RFIC Circuits 213
5.2.1 Generation of dc from Applied RF Power 213
5.2.2 Active Inductor Circuits 216
5.3 Tuned Amplifiers 218
5.3.1 LC Tuned Filters 219
5.3.2 SAW Filtering 227
5.3.3 Polyphase Filters 227
5.4 Measurement Concepts 230
References 232
Selected Bibliography 234
CHAPTER 6
CMOS Oscillator Circuits 235
6.1 Review of General Feedback Principles 236
6.1.1 General Feedback Systems 236
6.1.2 Gain/Phase Margins 237
6.1.3 Reactance Oscillators 238
6.1.4 Classic Reactance Oscillator Circuits 243
6.2 Fixed-Frequency Oscillators 245
6.2.1 Single-Stage Amplifier with LC Tank Load 245
6.2.2 Feedback Cascade of Two Amplifiers 247
6.2.3 Negative G Perspective 250
m