Methods and systems for a pseudo-differential low-noise amplifier at Ku-band may comprise a low-noise amplifier (LNA) integrated on a semiconductor die, where the LNA comprises differential pair transistors with an embedded inductor tail integrated on the semiconductor die. The embedded inductor tail may comprise: a first inductor with a first terminal capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of a first transistor of the differential pair transistors and a second terminal of the first inductor coupled to second, third, and fourth inductors. The second inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the first transistor of the differential pair transistors, the fourth inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the second transistor of the differential pair transistors, and the third inductor may be capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the second transistor of the differential pair transistors and also to ground. The second inductor may be embedded within the first inductor.

A continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) circuit is disclosed. The CTLE circuit includes a passive CTLE circuit and an active CTLE circuit. The active CTLE circuit includes a differential transistor pair and the output of the passive CTLE is configured to drive gates or bases of the differential transistor pair.

A continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) circuit is disclosed. The CTLE circuit includes a passive CTLE circuit and an active CTLE circuit. The active CTLE circuit includes a differential transistor pair and the output of the passive CTLE is configured to drive gates or bases of the differential transistor pair.

A continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) circuit is disclosed. The CTLE circuit includes an input port, an output port, a first differential transistor pair coupled to the input port and the output port and a second differential transistor pair. The CTLE circuit further includes a first degenerative impedance circuit coupled between the first differential transistor pair and ground. The first degenerative impedance includes switchable components to vary impedance of the first degenerative impedance circuit. The CTLE circuit also includes a second degenerative impedance circuit coupled between the second differential transistor pair and ground. The second degenerative impedance includes switchable components to vary impedance of the second degenerative impedance circuit, wherein the resistive part of the impedance of the first degenerative impedance circuit is equal to the impedance of the second degenerative impedance circuit.

In certain aspects, an amplifier includes a first transistor including a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the gate of the first transistor is coupled to a first input of the amplifier. The amplifier also includes a second transistor including a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the gate of the second transistor is coupled to a second input of the amplifier. The amplifier further includes a first signal path coupled between the first input of the amplifier and the source of the second transistor, a second signal path coupled between the second input of the amplifier and the source of the first transistor, a first load coupled to the drain of the first transistor, and a second load coupled to the drain of the second transistor.

Methods and systems for a pseudo-differential low-noise amplifier at Ku-band may comprise a low-noise amplifier (LNA) integrated on a semiconductor die, where the LNA includes first and second differential pair transistors with an embedded inductor tail integrated on the semiconductor die. The embedded inductor tail may include: a first inductor with a first terminal capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the first differential pair transistor and a second terminal of the first inductor coupled to second, third, and fourth inductors. The second inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the first differential pair transistor, the fourth inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the second differential pair transistor, and the third inductor may be capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the second differential pair transistor and also to ground. The second inductor may be embedded within the first inductor.

Embodiments of linear equalizers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a linear equalizer includes sets of transistors, a resistor, and first and second impedance elements. The sets of transistors are connected between at least one input terminal of the linear equalizer and at least one output terminal of the linear equalizer. The resistor is connected to a supply voltage, to the at least one output terminal, and to the sets of transistors. The first and second impedance elements are connected between emitter terminals or source terminals of the sets of transistors and at least one fixed voltage. A peaking gain of the linear equalizer is programmable by adjusting a direct current (DC) component of at least one input signal that is received at the at least one input terminal and that is applied to the sets of transistors.

Techniques for providing a modulation driver signal are disclosed. In an example, a modulation driver can include a first transistor configured to receive a first input signal having a first voltage swing, a second transistor coupled in series with the first transistor, and a third transistor configured to limit a third voltage swing across the second transistor. The second transistor can be configured to provide a representation of the first input signal as a first output signal of the modulator driver. The first output signal can have a second voltage swing greater than the first voltage swing.

Methods and systems for a pseudo-differential low-noise amplifier at Ku-band may comprise a low-noise amplifier (LNA) integrated on a semiconductor die, where the LNA includes first and second differential pair transistors with an embedded inductor tail integrated on the semiconductor die. The embedded inductor tail may include: a first inductor with a first terminal capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the first differential pair transistor and a second terminal of the first inductor coupled to second, third, and fourth inductors. The second inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the first differential pair transistor, the fourth inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the second differential pair transistor, and the third inductor may be capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the second differential pair transistor and also to ground. The second inductor may be embedded within the first inductor.

Methods and systems for a pseudo-differential low-noise amplifier at Ku-band may comprise a low-noise amplifier (LNA) integrated on a semiconductor die, where the LNA includes first and second differential pair transistors with an embedded inductor tail integrated on the semiconductor die. The embedded inductor tail may include: a first inductor with a first terminal capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the first differential pair transistor and a second terminal of the first inductor coupled to second, third, and fourth inductors. The second inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the first differential pair transistor, the fourth inductor may be coupled to a source terminal of the second differential pair transistor, and the third inductor may be capacitively-coupled to a gate terminal of the second differential pair transistor and also to ground. The second inductor may be embedded within the first inductor.