Modelling and Design Aids for Millimetre-Wave Low-Noise Amplifiers

Successful low-noise amplifier (LNA) design at millimetre-wave relies on accurate device linear noise models together with the availability of high-performance and versatile technologies. While device linear modelling is quite practical even at millimetre-wave, the same cannot be said for noise characterization and modelling. Often the latter can be reasonably performed only up to a few tenths of GHz. A complete device linear and noise modelling strategy, oriented to millimetre-wave LNA design, is provided in this contribution, relying on low-frequency noise characterization and millimetre-wave linear characterization. The effect of source degeneration, often applied in LNA design, above 100 GHz is also evaluated.