A Low Phase Noise, Wide Tuning Range 20GHz Magnetic-Coupled Hartley-VCO in a 28nm CMOS Technology

Abstract

A low phase noise, wide tuning range 20GHz magnetic-coupled Hartley-VCO fabricated in a 28nm CMOS technology is presented and targeted for 77/79GHz radar applications. The VCO is designed and optimized for low phase noise and large frequency tuning range by using a Hartley-VCO architecture. A wide tuning range of 2.2GHz and a best phase noise of -113.8dBc/Hz@1MHz have been achieved. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the best VCO phase noise presented in an advanced CMOS technology. Furthermore, the VCO shows an excellent pushing performance of less than ± 80 MHz $/V$ due to the implemented current source on top of the VCO core. The VCO core has an area of 0.038 mm $^{2}$ and consumes 50mA from a 1.8V supply.