Amplifier Design Using Vertical InAs Nanowire MOSFETs

In this paper, an amplifier design using ballistic vertical InAs nanowire (NW) transistors is investigated, focusing on a basic common-source amplifier. The maximum power gain at 90 GHz is evaluated for different NW transistor architectures together with the power dissipation. The linearity of the amplifier is evaluated by estimating the IIP₃ and 1-dB compression points. Furthermore, the impact of the parasitic capacitances and resistances is quantified and it is demonstrated that the gain may be increased by a cascode design. It is concluded that a power gain exceeding 20 dB at 90 GHz may be achieved by a common-source amplifier based on an InAs NW transistor architecture. A power consumption below 1 mW is possible, while still maintaining a high power gain. Furthermore, IIP₃ exceeding 10 dBm is predicted. The combination of these qualities makes the NW transistor architecture an attractive prospect for low-power amplifiers at millimeter wave frequencies.