Co-Design of Integrated Limiter and LNA for Better Noise Figure Performance

In this paper, the co-design of integrated low noise amplifier (LNA) and limiter with noise matching of matching network between Low noise amplifier and limiter for minimizing system noise figure is presented. The design procedure of low noise amplifier for minimum noise figure and 15 dBm power gain at center frequency and limiter block for 5 watt (37dBm) input power handling and optimization of matching network to reach minimum noise figure and maximum power transmission from limiter to low noise amplifier is discussed in detail and the result is compared with same blocks but by considering 50 ohm matching network between limiter and Low noise amplifier. Also band-pass filter is used in system output to filtering the out of band unwanted signals and prevent noise to be produced in next blocks. The mentioned method have been used for design and implementation of integrated circuit of limiter and low noise amplifier based on 0.25 AlGaAs/InGaAs pHEMT technology and 25dB signal filtering of 1 GHz out of band. Finally the simulation and measured data is demonstrated.