Recently, a research paper titled A 52–73 GHz LNA with Tri-Coupled Transformer for Gm Boosting and Enhanced Noise Canceling, authored by our graduate student Jiacong Ke, was published in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC). This marks the first JSSC paper authored by a student graduating from both undergraduate and graduate programs at our university, with our institution being the sole corresponding unit.

Journal Overview: The IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC) is the most authoritative top-tier journal in the field of integrated circuit design. It regularly publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed papers covering the latest research and industrial achievements in the field of contemporary integrated circuits. The articles published in JSSC represent cutting-edge design thinking and set benchmarks for chip performance in both academia and industry.

In Figure 1, the paper highlights the design innovation

Paper Introduction: Noise Canceling is an effective noise optimization technique for compressing transistor noise. However, traditional noise canceling circuits have additional active auxiliary paths, introducing additional noise sources, making it challenging to achieve more thorough noise cancellation. To address this issue, the paper proposes a Noise Canceling and Transconductance Boosting (Gm-boosting) low-noise amplifier structure based on Tri-coupled Transformer (Tri-coupled XFMR). This circuit structure does not introduce any additional thermal noise from auxiliary active devices. Leveraging this innovative circuit design and perspective, the paper achieves world-leading levels of noise figure performance and broadband gain performance.

In Figure 2, Photo of student Jiacong Ke

Author Introduction: Jiacong Ke, a Han nationality graduate student majoring in Microelectronics and Solid-State Electronics at the School of Microelectronics, South China University of Technology. He graduated in 2020 with a master's degree. He received the Second Prize of the Hongping Changqing Science and Technology Scholarship in 2021 and 2022, the Third Prize in the 4th National University Integrated Circuit Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in 2020, and the Second Prize in the South China Region. In 2021, he won the Second Prize in the 5th National University Integrated Circuit Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the First Prize in the South China Region. Focused on cutting-edge disciplines, his research revolves around the design of silicon-based millimeter-wave front-end amplifiers. As the first author, he has published three EI papers and one SCI Q1 paper, and obtained one invention patent and two integrated circuit layout patents.

This year, Jiacong Ke, along with his classmate Jiaqin Fang, embarked on a new journey towards a Ph.D. degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC), a world-renowned institution. Having obtained their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Engineering at South China University of Technology, under the careful guidance of Professor Yanjie Wang, the Vice Dean of the School of Microelectronics and a doctoral supervisor, they have achieved remarkable results in research, laying a solid foundation for their overseas Ph.D. applications. With the support and recommendation of their mentor, they successfully pursued their doctoral studies at UBC. Additionally, last year, another team member, Haoyang Jia, under the guidance and recommendation of the mentor, entered the University of Dublin, Trinity College, for a Ph.D. program. Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce global technological competition, this reflects the school's firm commitment to cultivating international talents. The School not only emphasizes academic education but also provides a broader academic stage and richer research resources. Furthermore, the School continues to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, building smooth communication bridges for students studying abroad.

Introduction to UBC: The University of British Columbia (UBC), located in Vancouver, Canada, often referred to as the University of British Columbia, is renowned as the Pearl of the West Coast and is known for having one of the most beautiful campuses in North America. The university consistently ranks within the top 50 worldwide, producing 8 Nobel laureates and 3 Canadian Prime Ministers. In terms of the number of companies founded based on research outcomes in North America, UBC ranks third, following only MIT and Stanford University. It is truly a world-renowned institution.

In Figure 3, Jiacong Ke (on the right) and Jiaqin Fang (on the left) taking a picture together at the entrance of UBC