Distributed amplifier design for UWB positioning systems using the gm over id methodology

In this paper we exploit the gm over ID methodology to optimize the design of a four stage conventional Distributed Amplifier (DA) for an Ultra-Wide Band positioning system. The W/L ratio and the DC-biasing of the amplifier's transistors are determined according to the gm over ID methodology by using a series of lookup tables generated starting from the model of the devices. The DA was designed using the IHP 0.13 μm SiGe process and provides a 14 dB gain over a bandwidth of 10.6 GHz. The input/output return loss of the amplifier is lower than -17 dB over the entire bandwidth, with an average noise figure of 1.95 dB and a 26 mW DC-power consumption.