Analysis of current challenges in the design of low-noise broadband planar amplifiers: Review

Abstract

This review article presents a thorough and in-depth analysis of recent advancements in wideband low-noise planar amplifiers (LNAs). It systematically examines the key factors influencing LNA performance and efficiency, providing a detailed quantitative and qualitative evaluation of over 40 relevant studies. The paper assesses the impact of various substrate materials, including FR4 and multiple Roger's substrates (RO 4003c, RT 5880, RO 4350, RO 3003, and RO AD250c), on amplifier characteristics. Additionally, it explores a wide range of bandwidth enhancement techniques and transistor technologies, such as GaAs, InGaAs, GaN, InGaP, and SiGe. By offering a thorough comparative analysis, this work highlights current challenges, proposes practical design recommendations, and serves as a valuable reference for researchers and engineers working on the development of next-generation wideband LNAs.