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Optimization of a low noise amplifier with two technology nodes using an interactive evolutionary approach

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Abstract

Nowadays, wireless communications at frequencies of gigahertz have an increasing demand due to the ever-increasing number of electronic devices that uses this type of communication. However, the design of Radio Frequency (RF) circuits is difficult, time-consuming and based on designer knowledge and experience. This work proposes an interactive evolutionary approach based on genetic algorithm, implemented in the in-house iMTGSPICE optimization tool, to perform the optimization process of a Low-Power Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) dedicated to Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), which is robust through the corner and Monte Carlo analyses and implemented in two Bulk CMOS technology nodes: 130 nm and 65 nm. Regarding each technology node, we performed two experimental studies to optimize the LNA. The first one used the conventional non-interactive approach of iMTGSPICE, which was not assisted by a designer during the optimization process. The second one used the interactive approach of iMTGSPICE, which was monitored and assisted by a beginner designer during the optimization process. The obtained results demonstrated that the interactive approach of iMTGSPICE performed the optimization process of the robust LNA from 16 to 94% faster than the non-interactive evolutionary approach. The design regarding the technology node of 130 nm took 341 min for the non-interactive and 20 min for the interactive optimization process, whereas the design in the 65 nm took 537 min for the non-interactive and 454 min for the interactive approach.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) – Grant #2018/21341-4, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001 and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) – Grant #307804/2019-4 for their financial supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, FEI University Center, Av. Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco, 3972, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, 09850-901, Brazil

    Rodrigo Alves de Lima Moreto, Carlos Eduardo Thomaz & Salvador Pinillos Gimenez

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    André Mariano

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  1. Rodrigo Alves de Lima Moreto
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  2. André Mariano
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  3. Carlos Eduardo Thomaz
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  4. Salvador Pinillos Gimenez
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Correspondence to Rodrigo Alves de Lima Moreto.

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de Lima Moreto, R.A., Mariano, A., Thomaz, C.E. et al. Optimization of a low noise amplifier with two technology nodes using an interactive evolutionary approach. Analog Integr Circ Sig Process 106, 307–319 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-020-01755-1

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