Validation of an Open-Source RFIC Design Flow Using a 130 GHz Low-Noise Amplifier

Simone G, Grund M, Koch M, Breun S, Weigel R, Franchi N (2026)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Accepted

Publication Type: Unpublished / Preprint

Future Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2026

Event location: Jeju Island

Abstract

This paper presents a complete open-source design and verification flow for analog and RF integrated circuits, applied to a 130 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA). The circuit is implemented using the open-source SG13G2 PDK from IHP, based on a 130nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The LNA uses a cascode topology with differential output and transformer-based matching. The full design flow includes schematic entry with Qucs-S, circuit-level analysis using Ngspice and Xyce, as well as layout generation in Klayout and electromagnetic simulation of passive structures with openEMS. Key performance metrics such as S-parameters, stability, noise figure, transient response, and output referred P1 dB are extracted and compared against commercial reference tools. The results show excellent agreement, validating the accuracy and practical usability of the proposed open-source flow for advanced high-frequency analog and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) design.

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How to cite

APA:

Simone, G., Grund, M., Koch, M., Breun, S., Weigel, R., & Franchi, N. (2026). Validation of an Open-Source RFIC Design Flow Using a 130 GHz Low-Noise Amplifier. (Unpublished, Accepted).

MLA:

Simone, Gianluca, et al. Validation of an Open-Source RFIC Design Flow Using a 130 GHz Low-Noise Amplifier. Unpublished, Accepted. 2026.

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