A 6.5 to 15.1 GHz ultra-wideband SiGe LC VCO with 80 % continuous tuning range

Abstract

This work describes the theoretical analysis, design and measurement of an ultra-wideband LC voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO was fabricated using a 130 nm SiGe technology and is continuously tunable from 6.5 to 15.1 GHz without any switching behavior and therefore enables frequency chirp generation with high chirp bandwidth for FMCW primary radar application. The combination of a measured low phase noise of −110 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset in average over the tuning range together with a continuous tuning range of 80% and a power consumption of 19 mW was never previously reported for an integrated LC VCO.