Low Power Transformer-Feedback VCO Using Tunable DC Power

With the rapid development of wireless communication system and integratedcircuit, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) are growing constantly. Low-powerdesign techniques become more and more important due to the trend of miniaturizationand portable type for wireless transceivers, for they can enhance battery lifetime orreduce the volume of battery.In this thesis, low power design techniques for voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)in CMOS radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) are studied. Firstly, this thesisintroduces the characteristics of RFIC, analyses the working principle of VCO andmanufacture of integrated passive component.Then, some methods proposed theseyears to lower operation voltage of VCOs to achieve low power design are investigated.Advantages and disadvantages of these methods are analysed in this thesis. After that,this thesis proposes a novel architecture of low power VCO using tunable DC power,based on the architecture of transformer feedback VCO.This new type of VCO was manufactured in TSMC90nm1P9M processing. TheVCO operated can be tuned between18.22GHz and20.55GHz and has low powerrange of1.25mW to2.2mW. Phase noise of this VCO at1MHz frequency offset is-98.4dBc/Hz to-114dBc/Hz in the whole tuning range. Results of simulation andtesting show that the new type of VCO could operate in a tunable DC power withproper controlled voltage. It works in deffrent power mode corresponding to differentoscillation frequency and the purpose of low power is achieved.