For this LNA application, two methods are used to improve third-order intercept performance: inductive emitter degeneration and low-frequency bypassing of the ( f ₂ ? f ₁) product at the base-emitter (and collector) junction.

Inductive emitter degeneration achieves linearity improvement at the cost of reduced gain. Other methods may be employed to achieve further reduction of third-order distortion levels, but these two simple methods are less likely to be influenced by temperature and LNA termination impedance than some of the more exotic techniques reported in the literature [1].