A low-phase-noise monolithically integrated 60 GHz push-push VCO for 122 GHz applications in a SiGe bipolar technology

Abstract

This paper presents a 60 GHz push-push VCO fabricated in an automotive qualified SiGe:C bipolar production technology with an ft of 170 GHz and fmax of 250 GHz. The VCO uses an AC coupled varactor and features a transmission line based biasing scheme for the varactor to improve the phase noise. The VCO can be tuned from 58.2 GHz to 63 GHz and achieves a minimum phase noise of -108 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset. The phase noise remains below -105 dBc/Hz over the entire tuning range. The VCO consumes 145 mW from a 3.3 V power supply.