A 60 GHz QDCO with 11 GHz Seamless Tuning for Low-Power FMCW Radars in 22-nm FDSOI

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a 60 GHz Quadrature Digitally-Controlled Oscillator for a low-power Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave radar System-on-Chip. The accurate detection of vital signs requires I and Q demodulation of the received signal. The quadrature coupling is exploited to achieve a seamless and ultra wide frequency tuning range of 11GHz. The oscillator is designed for integration in an All-Digital Phase-Locked Loop. The presented technique allows to simplify the interface with the digital loop filter without the need for an extensive calibration. A wide-band and low-power divider chain is designed as well using dynamic topologies. The circuits are integrated in GF 22-nm FDX CMOS technology and consume between 12.8 and 22.4 mW across the frequency range (17.6mW on average) with a supply voltage of 0.8V.