Contents I. Introduction
Recently, the desire for wireless connectivity has led to an exponential growth in wireless communication. In particular, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are potential wireless network applications for the following future ubiquitous computing system. Ubiquitous sensor networks are an emerging research area with potential applications in environmental monitoring, surveillance, military, health, and security [1]. The power dissipation of WSNs does require low power consumption for several years operation. There has been a great deal of interest in realizing low power, low cost, compact RF transceiver integrated circuit (IC) for WSNs. Several technological trends that are driving the technical evolution of wireless technology include the process scaling of CMOS transistors and higher bandwidth available at industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands. Almost all of the license free bands propose both linear and nonlinear modulation standards for wireless applications, and thus, requiring different design optimizations in the RF transceiver. Along with these issues, there exists the challenge to develop fully integrated wireless solutions in silicon-based substrates [2].
