CMOS 1.98–5.58 GHz transformer‐based VCO with current‐reused topology. Issue 8 (1st April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Xiangning; Li, Bin; Wang, Zhigong
• Is Part Of: Electronics letters. Volume 49:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 524
• Page End: 525
• Publication Date: 2013-04-01
• Subjects: CMOS integrated circuits -- network topology -- oscillators -- voltage control; CMOS transformer‐based VCO -- current‐reused topology -- fully integrated ultra‐wideband voltage‐controlled‐oscillator -- ultra‐wide tuning range -- adopted transformer‐based resonator -- figure‐of‐merit -- frequency 1.98 GHz to 5.58 GHz; Electronics -- Periodicals; 621.381
• DOI: 10.1049/el.2013.0194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-5194

Abstract

Abstract : A fully integrated ultra‐wideband voltage‐controlled‐oscillator (VCO) constructed in a current‐reused configuration is proposed. An ultra‐wide tuning range is achieved thanks to the adopted transformer‐based resonator, which makes use of the transformer and the proper arrangement of capacitors, while the current‐reused topology can dramatically save DC power consumption. The transformer layout has been properly designed to attain a die area comparable to a single inductor VCO. Fabricated in a 0.18 µm CMOS technology, the VCO provides a frequency tuning range as high as 95% from 1.98 to 5.58 GHz and exhibits a phase noise of −122.8 to −108.6 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier across the entire frequency range. The VCO core consumes 5.6–7.2 mA of current from a 1.8 V supply and occupies approximately an area of 0.8 mm 2 . Despite the ultra‐wide tuning range, the proposed VCO has the outstanding figure‐of‐merit (FOMT ) of −192 to −199 dBc/Hz.