A CMOS VCO Architecture Suitable for Sub-1 Volt High-Frequency (8.7–10 GHz) RF Applications

Abstract

This paper proposes an LC-based oscillator structure which enables operation from a supply voltage as low as 0.85 V, while being suitable for high-frequency RF applications. Two VCO prototypes were fabricated in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process. The 8.7 GHz VCO operates from a supply voltage of 0.85 V, consumes 6 mW, and exhibits −100 dBc/Hz phase noise at 600 kHz offset. The 10 GHz prototype operates from a supply voltage of 1 V, consumes 9 mW, and has −98 dBc/Hz phase noise at 600 kHz offset. A tuning range of 400–450 MHz is achieved without using varactors.