"Non-Linear FET Noise Modelling and Applications"

This workshop is focussed on recent developments in the field of nonlinear noise models and design techniques for low-noise microwave circuits which are intrinsically subject to large-signal operating conditions. In fact, many of the fundamental building blocks for the development of high-performance communication systems, like low-phase-noise oscillators, mixers or interferencerobust low-noise amplifiers, are subject to important noise generation phenomena which are strongly conditioned by the presence of large-amplitude signals. In such cases, normally characterized by periodic or almost periodic non-linear operation, noise modelling in electron devices becomes much more complex, in comparison with the linear steady-state case, since cyclostationary, instead of conventional, stationary equivalent noise sources must be considered in the device models or lownoise circuit design. In this workshop, after outlining the basics of noise generation in semiconductors and of numerical physics-based noise models, non linear, compact HBT and FET non-linear noise models will be described with examples of application to noise analysis in non linear microwave circuits. Design approaches for low-noise oscillators, mixers and amplifiers will also be presented and discussed.