Figures of Merit for CMOS Low-Noise Amplifiers and Estimates for Their Theoretical Limits

This brief examines the theoretical interdependence of low-noise-amplifier (LNA) performance parameters to identify four figures of merit (FoMs) that enable the comparison of LNAs. FoM limits are also estimated to identify performance limitations and to quantify room for theoretical improvement. Finally, the results of a regression analysis on nearly 500 CMOS LNAs, published over the past 20 years, are compared to the identified trends, with the findings showing reasonable agreement despite the adoption of some simplifying assumptions.