Radio frequency integrated circuits for communications: Design, analysis and experiments

This thesis focuses on the research of novel techniques for radio frequency circuits used in communications. The purpose of the research is to develop state-of-the art monolithic circuits as well as to implement novel analysis techniques that are specific to radio frequency applications. These analysis techniques provide the designer with investigation tools that are more powerful than classic simulators such as SPICE.; First, architectures of a communication system are presented. The important functions of building blocks within a communication system are outlined and components such as low noise amplifiers, voltage-controlled oscillators and phase-locked loops are pointed out as key components.; Second, the design principles for low noise and low distortion that are extremely useful in the design of communication circuits are investigated. These principles are of general interest and they will be used throughout this research work. A novel high frequency BJT model and a low noise, low distortion amplifier design are presented and discussed, and comparisons are made between analytic calculations and simulations.; Third, voltage-controlled oscillators are investigated in detail. High performance design solutions are identified that provide high immunity to substrate coupling, low phase noise levels and low power consumption. The principles for low phase noise design in oscillators are investigated. A low phase noise VCO is implemented and characterized. The novel analysis method used to investigate the phase noise performance of this design is described, and good agreement between experiments and simulations/modeling were obtained.; Fourth, phase-locked loops with specific application in communications are analyzed. A low noise, high spectral purity frequency translational loop used in radio transceivers is implemented and characterized. A novel analysis method is developed in order to investigate the spectral purity performance of the frequency translational loop and good results, as well as good agreement between experiments and simulations, were obtained.; Finally, novel radio frequency circuit techniques were developed. At the same time, new and innovative analysis methods were implemented that allow for an in-depth investigation of circuits performance in terms of noise and spectral purity. This research creates the frame work for future developments in the area of radio frequency circuits, such as VCO's and PLL's for communications.