8-GHz CMOS quadrature VCO using transformer-based LC tank

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless components letters 2003-10, Vol.13 (10), p.446-448
• Main Authors: BAEK, Donghyun, SONG, Taeksang, YOON, Euisik, HONG, Songcheol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bias; Circuit properties; CMOS technology; Electric potential; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Feedback; Frequency measurement; Noise; Noise levels; Noise measurement; Oscillators, resonators, synthetizers; Phase noise; Q factor; Quadratures; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Signal generators; Tanks; Transformer cores; Transformers; Transistors; Turning; Voltage; Voltage-controlled oscillators
• ISSN: 1531-1309; 2771-957X; 1558-1764; 2771-9588
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWC.2003.815685

A fully integrated quadrature VCO at 8 GHz is presented. The VCO is implemented using a transformer-based LC tank in 0.18 μm CMOS technology, in which two VCOs are coupled to generate I-Q signals. The VCO is realized employing the drain-gate transformer feedback configuration proposed here. This makes use of the quality factor enhancement in the resonator using a transformer and the deep switching-off technique by controlling gate bias. By turning off switching transistors of the differential VCO core deeply, the phase noise performance is improved more than 10 dB. The measured phase noise values are -110 and -117 dBc/HZ at the offset frequencies of 600 kHz and 1 MHz respectively. The tuning range of 250 MHz is achieved with the control voltage from 0 to 1 V. The VCO draws 8 mA in two differential core circuits from 3 V supply. When the bias voltage goes down to 2.5 V, the phase noise decrease only 2 dB compared to that of 3 V bias. The VCO performances are compared with previously reported quadrature Si VCOs in 5/spl sim/12 GHz frequency range.