A Multiple Input and Gain Adjustable Phase Detector in 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS Technology

Abstract

Mutual network synchronization of electronic oscillators relies on their bidirectional coupling. Each oscillator receives at least one input signal from another oscillator. However, in most cases there is more than one input. Consequently, the architecture design of the phase-detectors (PD) of phase-locked loop (PLL) needs to be revised to allow for more than one input signal. This work investigates a PD which has three external inputs, in addition to the feedback signal. It is designed and fabricated in 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The inputs can be fed independently of each other over a wide range of high input frequencies, ranging from 6 GHz to 17 GHz and it’s gain can be adjusted to correct for variations in the PD output characteristics and to control the PLL’s loop gain. It’s architecture is scalable and can be easily modified to accommodate more input signals. Hence, arbitrary network coupling topologies where PLLs receive input from many other nodes in the network can be realized. It enables setting up, e.g., distributed systems of mutually coupled sensors and sustainable analog computers, so called Ising machines.