A Highly Efficient 0.2 THz Varactor-Less VCO with -7 dBm Output Power in 130nm SiGe

Pei-Yuan Chiang,Omeed Momeni,Payam Heydari

doi:10.1109/csics.2012.6340100

A Highly Efficient 0.2 THz Varactor-Less VCO with -7 dBm Output Power in 130nm SiGe

Pei-Yuan Chiang, Omeed Momeni + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1109/csics.2012.6340100

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Publication Date: Oct 1, 2012
Citations: 3	License type: public-domain

Affiliation: University of California, Irvine, University of California, Davis

#Voltage Controlled Oscillator #Tuning Technique + Show 8 more

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Abstract

A highly efficient voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with a new varactor-less-based frequency-tuning topology for terahertz (THz) frequencies is presented. The tuning technique is based on a variable inductance seen at the emitter node of a base degenerated transistor. Fabricated in a 130nm SiGe BiCMOS process, the VCO achieves a tuning range of 3.5% and output power of -7.25 dBm at 201.5GHz. The VCO consumes 30mW of DC power, resulting in a record-breaking power efficiency of 0.6%. To demonstrate the functionality of the tuning technique, three other VCO prototypes at different oscillation frequencies, including one operating at 222.7~229 GHz range, have been implemented.

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