Abstract
In this paper, we present a fully integrated single conversion front-end for a satellite low-noise block down-converter (LNB), focusing on a Ku-band noise-canceling radio frequency amplifier (RF-AMP) and an L-band intermediate frequency variable-gain amplifier (IF-VGA). LNB, which is set on a satellite dish antenna, converts the satellite signal in Ku-band (10.7GHz to 12.75GHz) to L-band (950MHz to 2150MHz). To obtain a lower noise figure (NF) at the high frequency, we implemented a wideband noise-canceling RF-AMP with an LC ladder filter. Furthermore, we implemented a current-reusing RF-AMP and mixer for lower current consumption. The IF-VGA has a constant output third-order intercept point (OIP3) for various gains thanks to a digital control of the gate width in the transconductor stage. We fabricated a single conversion front-end IC using a 1P5M 130-nm RF-CMOS process and achieved NF of 9dB and a constant OIP3 of 11dBm for various gains. The current consumption was 27mA at a 2.8-V supply voltage.
