A 7–9 GHz fast-startup low phase noise CMOS LC VCO using Gm-boosted technique and circuit asymmetries for multi-mode radar transmitter

IF 1.9 3区工程技术 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

Microelectronics Journal Pub Date : 2025-01-30 DOI:10.1016/j.mejo.2025.106586

Tao Tan, Xiuping Li, Yubing Li, Peng Ke

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper presents a fast-startup, low phase noise LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for radar transmitters, capable of a multi-mode ultra-wideband(UWB)/continuous wave(CW)/frequency-shift keying(FSK) frequency source using a single VCO. Intended circuit asymmetries, including a pair of stacked asymmetrical transistors with extra asymmetrical parallel capacitors, reduce oscillator startup time to accommodate the wideband signal requirements of impulse-radio ultra-wideband(IR-UWB) radar transmitters. The parallel capacitor stacking enhances the VCO core’s transconductance without additional power consumption, improving phase noise performance. Fabricated in GlobalFoundries 0.13-

μ

m CMOS technology, the VCO features a measured tuning range from 7.43 GHz to 8.21 GHz with a core dc current of 6 mA. The measured phase noise is -117.1 dBc/Hz at a 1-MHz offset, and the startup time is approximately 733 ps, supporting a bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz and meeting UWB modulation requirements.

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来源期刊

Microelectronics Journal 工程技术-工程：电子与电气

CiteScore

4.00

自引率

27.30%

发文量

222

审稿时长

43 days

期刊介绍： Published since 1969, the Microelectronics Journal is an international forum for the dissemination of research and applications of microelectronic systems, circuits, and emerging technologies. Papers published in the Microelectronics Journal have undergone peer review to ensure originality, relevance, and timeliness. The journal thus provides a worldwide, regular, and comprehensive update on microelectronic circuits and systems. The Microelectronics Journal invites papers describing significant research and applications in all of the areas listed below. Comprehensive review/survey papers covering recent developments will also be considered. The Microelectronics Journal covers circuits and systems. This topic includes but is not limited to: Analog, digital, mixed, and RF circuits and related design methodologies; Logic, architectural, and system level synthesis; Testing, design for testability, built-in self-test; Area, power, and thermal analysis and design; Mixed-domain simulation and design; Embedded systems; Non-von Neumann computing and related technologies and circuits; Design and test of high complexity systems integration; SoC, NoC, SIP, and NIP design and test; 3-D integration design and analysis; Emerging device technologies and circuits, such as FinFETs, SETs, spintronics, SFQ, MTJ, etc. Application aspects such as signal and image processing including circuits for cryptography, sensors, and actuators including sensor networks, reliability and quality issues, and economic models are also welcome.