Design of a low-voltage, low-power, wide-tuning integrated oscillator

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a low-voltage, low-power, wide-tuning, monolithic voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The oscillator is based upon the classic LC-tuned negative-resistance topology, with a novel low-voltage, high performance active inductor. It operates in the 1.1 GHz to 2.1 GHz frequency range while consuming 1 mA from a 2.5 V power supply, with scope for further reduction to 1 V. The VCO's phase noise level is -83 dBc/Hz at 600 kHz offset from a 1.5 GHz carrier with a Q of 7 and can be further reduced to -88 dBc/Hz at 600 kHz offset from a 2.5 GHz carrier if the Q is increased to 24.