Abstract
The design of a prototype monolithic Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) electronic circuits, namely the Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) is presented. The components can achieve the stringent requirements of wireless communication applications such as GSM cellular telephony. The VCO meets the low phase noise specifications of -136 dBc/Hz at large offset frequency of 3MHz, over the appropriate frequency range. The model of the monolithic VCO is based on the topology of the Colpitts Oscillator. It is relatively less complicated, which facilitates the practical integration of the MEMS components into the configuration. The variable capacitor and the monolithic 3-D coil inductor are suitable for low phase-noise and low power consumption at the application frequencies. A PSpice simulation model was developed with MEMS switching devices that can be integrated into the system. The model helps in determining the design parameters, which affect the performance and operation reliability of the RF transceiver system, for which a prototype has been tested and proved successful.
Highlights
Mobility and portability are features, which have a strong driving force in the miniaturization process of wireless communication interfaces
A low phase noise Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) operating at radio frequency (RF) can be designed by integrating a variety of suitable Mechanical Systems (MEMS) components
The MEMS technology is attractive for the implementation of on-chip high-quality RF variable capacitors and inductors, especially in low noise power amplifiers, matching networks, and monolithic low-noise VCOs
Summary
Mobility and portability are features, which have a strong driving force in the miniaturization process of wireless communication interfaces They have raised much interest in single-chip applications. The integration of passives devices such as variable capacitors and inductors, typically involves some trade-offs between noise, power consumption, linearity, frequency range, gain and supply voltage. MEMS can be used to replace standard variable capacitors (varicaps) and inductors Both of these passive components can be fabricated on silicon substrates and are amenable to monolithic integration by standard IC processes. The MEMS technology is attractive for the implementation of on-chip high-quality RF variable capacitors and inductors, especially in low noise power amplifiers, matching networks, and monolithic low-noise VCOs. the Q-factor of these components may determine the phase noise performance, which is critical in high performance communication systems [1]. The challenge remains in how to minimize the phase noise while maintaining lowest possible power consumption
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