Low noise amplifiers (LNA) serve a critical role in any RF / microwave receiver system. Their job is to take ultra-low power signals picked up from a receiving antenna and amplify them for use in a wireless-receiver. The main challenge with LNAs involve designing for minimum noise figure (a figure of merit quantifying the noise added by the LNA itself), while maximizing gain and minimizing input return loss This X-Band 2-stage low-noise amplifier (LNA) MMIC was designed by Echoic Engineering using Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS). Each circuit network, transistor model, and passive component is meticulously designed, synthesized and verified using advanced electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Furthermore, every trace interconnect can introduce parasitic elements which need to be arduously compensated into the network response. The result is a high performance 10GHz LNA with over 24dB gain and ~2dB noise figure, nearly the minimum for this technology.
