A 71–76 GHz CMOS variable gain amplifier using current steering technique

A 71–76 GHz high dynamic range CMOS RF variable gain amplifier (VGA) is presented. Variable gain is achieved using two current-steering trans-conductance stages, which provide high linearity with relatively low power consumption. The circuit is fabricated in a MS/RF 90-nm CMOS technology and consumes 18-mA total current from a 2-V supply. This VGA achieves a 14-dB maximum gain, a 30-dB gain controlled range, and a 4-dBm output saturation power. To the author’s knowledge, this VGA demonstrates the highest operation frequency among the reported CMOS VGAs.