Feasibility of tunable amplifier and bandpass filter for mobile handsets using active inductor circuits

In this paper active inductor circuits are employed to assess their suitability for providing a tuning function in GaAs MMIC circuits. The specifications for a mobile handset amplifier and a bandpass filter operating from a 3 V supply rail are used as test vehicles. The design and simulation of the circuits employs a low‐cost commercially available low pinch‐off GaAs MESFET process. The suitability of active inductors for tuning in such applications considers issues such as frequency tuning range, noise, power consumption and stability.