A Wideband 9 GHz LC-VCO with Tail Current Source Array in 0.18-μm RF CMOS Process

Abstract:

A wideband 9 GHz LC-VCO with tail current source array based on TSMC 0.18-μm RF CMOS process is presented in this paper. After discussing the start-up conditions, the structure of tail current source array is utilized to lower the power consumption in high frequency bands and guarantee start-up at low frequency bands. Furthermore, to extend the frequency range, a 4-bit switched capacitor array is used. Based on our analysis, a NMOS cross-coupled VCO with 4-bit PMOS tail current source array is implemented. Post-simulation results show that the tuning range is from 6.372GHz to 9.154GHz and the phase noise at 1MHz offset is less than-110dBc/Hz in the entire tuning range. The operating current of the VCO core is from 8.24mA to 13.362mA in the entire tuning range under 1.8V supply voltage. And the area of the proposed VCO is 1177.775μm × 577.54μm, with two buffer stages and pads.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 364)
• Pages: 434-438
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.364.434
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Peng Ma, Xiang Ning Fan
• Keywords: LC-VCO, Switched Capacitor Array, Tail Current Source Array, Wideband

References

[1] Ham and A. Hajimiri, Concepts and methods of optimization of integrated LC VCOs, IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 36, no. 6, p.896–909, Jun. (2001).

DOI: 10.1109/4.924852

[2] N. H. W. Fong, J. -O. Plouchart, N. Zamdmer, D. Liu, L. Wagner, C. Plett, and N. G. Tarr, Design of wide-band CMOS VCO for multiband wireless LAN applications, IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 38, no. 8, p.1333–1342, Aug. (2003).

DOI: 10.1109/jssc.2003.814440

[3] B. De Muer, N. Itoh, M. Borremans, and M. Steyaert, A 1. 8 GHz highly-tunable low-phase-noise CMOS VCO, in Proc. IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conf., 2000, p.585–588.

DOI: 10.1109/cicc.2000.852736

[4] D. Berny, A. M. Niknejad, and R. G. Meyer, A wideband low-phase noise CMOS VCO, in Proc. IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conf., 2003, p.555–558.

DOI: 10.1109/cicc.2003.1249459

[5] J. -K. Cho, H. -I. Lee, K. -S. Nah, and B. -H. Park, A 2-GHz wide band low phase noise voltage-controlled oscillator with on-chip LC tank, in Proc. IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conf., 2003, p.559–562.

DOI: 10.1109/cicc.2003.1249460

[6] L. Dauphinee, M. Copeland and P. Schavan, A Balanced 1. 5GHz Volatage Controlled Oscillator with an Integrated LC Resonator, ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, pp.390-1, Feb. (1997).

DOI: 10.1109/isscc.1997.585454

[7] J. Craninckx and M. Steyaert, A 1. 8-GHz Low-Phase-Noise CMOS VCO Using Optimized Hollow Spiral Inductors, IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 32, no. 5, pp.736-44, May (1997).

DOI: 10.1109/4.568844

[8] A. Hajimiri and T.H. Lee, Phase Noise in CMOS Differential LC Oscillators, Proc. VLSI Circuits, June (1998).

DOI: 10.1109/vlsic.1998.687999

[9] T. I. Ahrens and T.H. Lee, A 1. 4GHz 3mW CMOS LC Low Phase Noise VCO Using Tapped Bond Wire Inductance, Proc. ISLPED, pp.16-9, Aug. (1998).

DOI: 10.1145/280756.280761

[10] S. Bahramirad, J.G. Atallah, S. Albrect, A low Phase Noise VCO for Multi-Band Wireless Transceivers, in: Proceedings of the International Conference on Design & Technology of Integrated Systems in Nanoscale Era, 2–5 September 2007, p.148–153.

DOI: 10.1109/dtis.2007.4449509

[11] Quang Diep Bui, Chul Soon Park, All-PMOS Wideband VCO with an Automatic Amplitude Controller for Multi-band Multi-standard Radios, in: Proceedings of the IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) Symposium, 3–5 June 2007, p.697–700.

DOI: 10.1109/rfic.2007.380978

[12] Min B, Jeong H. 5-GHz CMOS LC VCOs with wide tuning ranges. IEEE Microw Wireless Compon Lett, 2005, 15(5): 336.

DOI: 10.1109/lmwc.2005.847701