A 0.4-ns power switching Ku-band amplifier for direct RF undersampling receiver

We have developed a high speed gate switching type Ku-band CMOS amplifier for direct RF undersampling receiver. This amplifier will synchronize its d.c. power switch timing to the sampling clock of the direct RF undersampling receiver. For Ku-band VSAT application, we designed the sampling clock frequency of undersampling receiver as 600 MHz, therefore the power switching time (Turn-On Time) of less than 0.83 ns is required. By using gate bias switching configuration, we achieve 0.4 ns power switching time by both simulation and measurement. This high speed power switching amplifier enable to reduce the d.c. power consumption about 1/2 when the 50% duty cycle of the clock for switching is applied.