
LNA MMIC PROJECT
Fall 2016
During the Fall 2016 semester at Tufts University I designed a two stage distributed MMIC LNA using the available gain design approach.
Single Stage Designs
The first step of the design process was to determine the lumped component matching networks for the input and output matching networks of both stages of the amplifier. These matching networks were designed using the Smith Chart tools in ADS.
Interstage Matching Network Design
The interstage matching network was designed using the ADS Smith Chart based matching network designer. The matching network was designed such that the output impedance of the first amplifier stage and the input impedance of the second amplifier stage were in agreement with their single stage output and input impedances, respectively.
Distributed Components and EM Modeling and Simulation in Momentum
After the lumped component representations of the LNA were set up, the lumped components were converted into distributed elements using the microstrip design tool in ADS. An EM simulation of the circuit was performed and the design of matching networks was iterated based on the difference between the expected results and the EM performance characteristics.
Results
After validating the initial output data, a few iterations of EM optimization led to the final performance parameters shown below.

2.0 - 2.5 GHZ LNA DESIGN IN ADS
Spring 2015
During the Spring of 2015 semester at Tufts University I designed a single stage lumped component LNA. Some of the highlights are shown below.