Compact Altered Current Starved CMOS VCO in 130 nm with Broad Linear Tuning and Ultra-Low Power Dissipation

Abstract

Excellent linearity with broad tuning range, low power dissipation, and less die area are the challenges existing in Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) employing CMOS technology. This work demonstrates an ultra-low power, altered Current-Starved (CS) VCO having a reduction in the number of transistors while achieving a linear tuning range for a broad range of frequencies. Simulated in AWR, the proposed VCO uses PTM 0.13 μm SPICE parameters at 1.3 V. Within the control voltage of 0.55 V – 1 V, linearity in oscillation frequencies from 1.709 GHz – 5.939 GHz indicating a broad tuning range of 95.12 % is obtained. The maximum power dissipated by the loaded oscillator circuit is 0.1977 μW (-37.04 dBm). Phase noise of -66.3 dBc/Hz is observed for a 1.709 GHz carrier at an offset frequency of 1 MHz, corresponding to a calculated Figure of Merit (FOM) of 248.82 dBc/Hz/mW. This ultra-low power consuming CS VCO having the characteristics of linear as well as broad tuning range, and low phase noise is acceptable for satellite applications in the L-C band.