A general theory of phase noise in electrical oscillators

TLDR

The model reduces to previously available phase noise models as special cases. The paper introduces a general model that accurately predicts phase noise in various electrical oscillators by accounting for their true periodically time‑varying behavior. The model incorporates the oscillators’ periodic time‑varying nature, identifies how intrinsic device noise and external sources contribute to close‑in phase noise, explains 1/f noise upconversion, and proposes suppression methods. The theory reveals new design criteria for reducing close‑in phase noise, accommodates cyclostationary noise sources, and shows excellent agreement with simulations and measurements.

Abstract

A general model is introduced which is capable of making accurate, quantitative predictions about the phase noise of different types of electrical oscillators by acknowledging the true periodically time-varying nature of all oscillators. This new approach also elucidates several previously unknown design criteria for reducing close-in phase noise by identifying the mechanisms by which intrinsic device noise and external noise sources contribute to the total phase noise. In particular, it explains the details of how 1/f noise in a device upconverts into close-in phase noise and identifies methods to suppress this upconversion. The theory also naturally accommodates cyclostationary noise sources, leading to additional important design insights. The model reduces to previously available phase noise models as special cases. Excellent agreement among theory, simulations, and measurements is observed.