A 120GHz quadrature frequency generator with 16.2GHz tuning range in 45nm CMOS

Abstract

Summary form only given. This paper presents a new architecture for a 120GHz quadrature frequency generator with large tuning range and immunity against PA-VCO coupling. Combining the output signals of two independent oscillators, the pulling effect is removed and the oscillator can be integrated with a PA and an antenna on the same chip. This architecture also makes quadrature generation with large tuning range feasible at 120GHz. The chip is fabricated in a 45nm CMOS technology and shows a tuning range of 16.2GHz (13.5%), a phase noise of -112dBc/Hz @ 10MHz offset and a phase error of 5°.