Geometry optimization of SiGe HBTs for noise performance of the monolithic Low noise amplifier

Abstract

The influence of various geometry sizes of SiGe HBTs on noise performance of the monolithic Low noise amplifiers(LNAs) is investigated in this paper. Four types of LNAs using SiGe HBTs with different emitter widths, emitter lengths and emitter strip numbers are fabricated in a 0.35-µm Si BiCMOS process technology. The die areas are only 0.2mm² due to the absence of inductors. The noise figure(NF), associated gain(GA) and the optimum source resistance(Rs,opt) of the LNAs are compared. Simplified analytical expressions of NF and Rs,opt are presented to give additional insight. Geometry scaling data show that the LNA using SiGe HBT with AE=4×40×4µm² has the minimum NF of 2.7dB, the maximum gain of 26.7dB and the optimum Rs,opt of nearly 50Ω compared to other devices geometries. These experiment results provide a guide of device geometry optimizing to develop monolithic LNA for lower noise application¹.