A 5.12–12.95GHz triple-resonance low phase noise CMOS VCO for software-defined radio applications

Abstract

This paper presents a wide-tuning range Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) for software-defined radio (SDR) applications using a resonator with three potential oscillation modes. The implemented prototype in 0.18μm CMOS technology achieves a continuous tuning range of 86.7% from 5.12GHz to 12.95GHz while drawing 5 to 10mA current from 1-V supply. The measured phase noise at 1MHz offset from carrier frequencies of 5.9, 9.12 and 12.25GHz is -122.9, -117.1 and -110.5dBc/Hz, respectively. The VCO occupies a chip area of 0.33mm2.