Design Criteria for Ultra Wideband Distributed Amplifiers

This report presents the analysis of lumped, lossless networks configured to emulate ideal transmission line characteristics over broad frequency passbands. The filter sections are configured to allow for the realization of distributed amplifiers capable of processing signal frequencies extending through tens of gigahertz. The principle advantage of the distributed approach to broadband amplifier design is that it allows for the incorporation of amplifier cell cascades, which are required for high gain, without incurring the significant bandwidth degradation that arises from the increased input and output port capacitance indigenous to cascade configurations. As a result, impressive amplifier gain-bandwidth products are achievable, at least in principle, with monolithic device technologies that do not necessarily offer impressively high unity gain frequencies. A design strategy for the foundational filter realization is developed, and HSPICE simulations that confirm the propriety of the adopted design methodology are provided.