55GHz CMOS frequency divider with 3.2GHz locking range

Abstract

LC-resonator frequency dividers are used for high-speed operation. In particular a differential injection locking frequency divider is promising as a millimeter-wave-band divider However, its locking range is narrow and insufficient for practical use. In this paper, several layout techniques are described to improve the performance of the frequency divider, and the performance improvement is verified using a five-layer-metal and 0.2-/spl mu/m-gate CMOS process. Measurement results reveal the minimum and maximum operating frequencies to be 52.7 GHz and 55.9 GHz with 10.1 mW at a supply voltage of 1.0 V.