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A 52-to-67 GHz dual-core push–push VCO in 40-nm CMOS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2018

Vadim Issakov Open the ORCID record for Vadim Issakov [Opens in a new window] ,
Johannes Rimmelspacher ,
Saverio Trotta ,
Marc Tiebout ,
Amelie Hagelauer  and
Robert Weigel
Vadim Issakov*
Affiliation:
Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-12, D-85579 Neubiberg, Germany
Johannes Rimmelspacher
Affiliation:
Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-12, D-85579 Neubiberg, Germany University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 9, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
Saverio Trotta
Affiliation:
Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-12, D-85579 Neubiberg, Germany
Marc Tiebout
Affiliation:
Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Siemensstr. 2, A-9500 Villach, Austria
Amelie Hagelauer
Affiliation:
University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 9, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
Robert Weigel
Affiliation:
University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 9, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
*
Author for correspondence: Vadim Issakov, Email: Vadim.Issakov@infineon.com
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Abstract

We present a continuously tunable 52-to-67 GHz push–push dual-core voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) in a 40 nm bulk complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The circuit is suitable for 60 GHz frequency-modulated-continuous-wave radar applications requiring a continuously tunable ultra-wide modulation bandwidth. The LC-tank inductor is used to couple the two VCO cores. The fundamental frequency of the VCO can be tuned from 26 to 33.5 GHz, which corresponds to a frequency tuning range of 25%. The second harmonic is extracted in a non-invasive way using a transformer. The primary side acts simultaneously as a second harmonic filter. The VCO achieves in measurement a low phase noise of −91.8 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset at 62 GHz and an output power of −20 dBm. The VCO including buffers dissipates in the dual-core operation mode 60 mA from a single 1.1 V supply and consumes a chip area of 0.58 mm2.

Keywords

Active circuitsOscillators
Type
Research Papers
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 10 , Special Issue 7: Electronic Warfare , September 2018 , pp. 783 - 793
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2018 

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