Low-Noise Amplifier-Antenna Co-Design Overview

Antenna and low-noise amplifier (LNA) co-design is a promising method for increasing the sensitivity of millimeter-wave (mmWave) receiver systems. Co-design involves several individual steps which usually do not intersect with each other in one design flow, but this method combines all of them together and allows to obtain mutual benefits for all components. This paper gives an overview of several different mmWave engineering tasks like antennas and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) design together with RF interconnection solutions like wirebonding, flip-chip and packaging technology. The suggestion of the mmWave receiver co-design for achieving minimum noise figure at low costs is also provided.