IC design using Virtuoso

[lifeislife]

I need help for a project requirement using Cadence Virtuoso as per below:
• Use the 5G standard.
• Pick one subject:
–Low-Noise Amplifiers
–Mixers
–Oscillators
–Power Amplifiers
•The circuit must use MOSFETs (no BJTs).
The 45-nm process employed.
•The bias level for the circuit should be between 0 V and 1 V.

Which topic is the easiest to design for beginners, any assistance available/guidelines/ papers or other ?
Thank you.

 

[dick_freebird]

The FET-quad CMOS mixer is the simplest circuit, most of
the interest will be in the harmonics / linearity / intercepts.
But there will be very little invention & debug (just a 4-FET
ring).

Oscillators won't start, LNAs / PAs will be a lot of matching
and tweaking (if you are up against actual performance
requirements), keep it simple is my motto. Although if you
can suss out what gets you the grade, you might focus.

 

[lifeislife]

Thank you for you reply.
any guideline or examples related to suggested mixer?

 

[pablomarco]

Thank you for you reply.
any guideline or examples related to suggested mixer?

Read Prof. Razavi's RF Microelectronics book. It should be more than enough.

 

[lifeislife]

The FET-quad CMOS mixer is the simplest circuit, most of
the interest will be in the harmonics / linearity / intercepts.
But there will be very little invention & debug (just a 4-FET
ring).

Oscillators won't start, LNAs / PAs will be a lot of matching
and tweaking (if you are up against actual performance
requirements), keep it simple is my motto. Although if you
can suss out what gets you the grade, you might focus.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Where can I find credible resources for schematic of mixers so I can apply 5G specifications parameters?