A Low Close-in Phase Noise 2.4 GHz RF Hybrid Oscillator using a Frequency Multiplier

Abstract

This paper proposes a 2.4 GHz RF oscillator with a very low close-in phase noise performance. This is composed of a low frequency crystal oscillator and three frequency multipliers such as two doubler (X2) and one tripler (X3). The proposed oscillator is implemented as a hybrid type circuit design using a discrete silicon bipolar transistor. The measurement results of the proposed oscillator structure show -115 dBc/Hz close-in phase noise at 10 kHz offset frequency, while only dissipating 5 mW from a 1-V supply. Its close-in phase noise level is very close to that of a low frequency crystal oscillator with little degradation of noise performance. The proposed structure which is consisted of a low frequency crystal oscillator and a frequency multiplier provides new method to implement a low power low close-in phase noise RF local oscillator.