Three-channel CMOS transimpedance amplifier for LiDAR sensor receiver

For time-of-flight (TOF) light detection and ranging (LiDAR), a three-channel high-performance transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with high immunity to input load capacitance is presented. A regulated cascade (RGC) as the input stage is at the core of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit chip, giving it more immunity to input photodiode detectors. A simple smart output interface acting as a feedback structure, which is rarely found in other designs, reduces the chip size and power consumption simultaneously. The circuit is designed using a 0.5 mu m CMOS process technology to achieve low cost. The device delivers a 33.87 dBO transimpedance gain at 350 MHz. With a higher input load capacitance, it shows a -3 dB bandwidth of 461 MHz, indicating a better detector tolerance at the front end of the system. Under a 3.3 V supply voltage, the device consumes 5.2 mW, and the total chip area with three channels is 402.8x597.0 mu m(2) (including the test pads).