Abstract
In this letter, low-phase-nose multicore class-F voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) using coupled-lined-based synchronization topology are proposed. Compared to traditional resistance-coupled multicore VCOs, the proposed coupled-line-based topology improves the $Q$ of the small inductors in the millimeter-wave frequency range. Mode ambiguity is eliminated for a robust oscillation startup. Quad-core and oct-core VCO prototypes are designed and implemented in 65-nm CMOS process, which exhibit a measured frequency tuning range of 20.5% centered at 31.32 GHz. The quad-core VCO has a measured phase noise (PN) of -134.33 dBc/Hz and a corresponding FoM of 191.32 dBc/Hz at 10-MHz offset from 28.28 GHz. The oct-core VCO has a measured PN of -137.23 dBc/Hz and a corresponding FoM of 191.08 dBc/Hz at 10-MHz offset from 28.16 GHz.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1183-1186 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2022 |
Keywords
- CMOS
- Class-F
- low-phase-noise
- millimeter-wave (mm-wave)
- multicore
- voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)