This paper discusses optimization for the power dissipation of RF front end
s in portable wireless devices. A breakthrough in power dissipation can be
achieved by simultaneously optimizing the antenna interface, circuits, and
IC technology of such devices. A model that predicts the minimum power diss
ipation of a front end of both short-range and long-range connections will
be introduced. Using these models, the impact of the antenna interface on t
he power disipation will be assessed. Using two antennas with equal gain co
mbining, a typical power dissipation reduction of 2.5 to 30 times can be ac
hieved. Using high-impedance circuits for short-range systems in combinatio
n with silicon-on-anything technology, a further reduction of power dissipa
tion by up to one order of magnitude can be realized.