A 2-mm$^{2}$ 0.1–5 GHz Software-Defined Radio Receiver in 45-nm Digital CMOS

Wireless Receiver Architectures Towards 5G: Where Are We?

“…On the other extreme from Mitola's SDR, zero-IF architectures have also been proposed for SDR [28], [37], [55], mainly because there is no need for image reject filters. A variation of the homodyne receiver is the subsampling receiver, where the mixer is replaced with a sampling circuit, which samples the RF signal at the Nyquist rate of the baseband signal [9].…”

“…This results in different requirements, but their implementation is similar: the capabilities have not (yet) been integrated into a single module, and are implemented by duplicating RF paths, leading to component duplication [57]. In 2009, convergence of standards was achieved by assembling dedicated ICs on PCBs, though system-on-chip (SoC) solutions (integrating multiple RF frontends and modems on the same chip) had also appeared [55]. Now, in popular modern smartphones, a SoC connected to PAs, SAW/BAW/FBAR duplexers or filters, LNAs and switches, often in modules (or 'banks') are observed.…”

Versatile Spectrum Sensing on Mobile Devices?

“…Although several multi-standard radio transceivers have been presented that allow communication over several standards, a device that is truly programmable into any desired mode for spectrum sensing does not exist yet. The design presented here is the first implementation of a fully reconfigurable SDR receiver in CMOS technology [3] [4]. It uses an advanced 45-nm process node, which enables a costeffective implementation on an RF SoC together with the required digital signal processing.…”

A technique for improving gain and noise figure of common-gate wideband LNAs

“…Broadband receivers are needed in applications like software defined radios (SDR) [1]. They can also be used with advantage in multi-standard applications, which is the main focus of this work.…”