Design of Low-phase Noise, Low-power Ring Oscillator for OC-48 Application

Abstract

A low-power, low-phase noise, high tuning range, and fully integrated inductorless RC-VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator) for OC-48 application is designed and simulated in standard 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The proposed inductorless RC-VCO has a simulated phase noise of −141 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz, with a bias current of 605 μA and voltage headroom of 1.8 V. It has 50% tuning range at 2.4 GHz of operating frequency and consumes 1.09 mW of power. This RC-VCO shows a figure of merit performance of −208.2 dBc/Hz at the desired frequency.

Keywords:

• CMOS ring oscillator
• Phase noise
• Voltage controlled oscillator

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Harikrishnan Ramiah

Harikrishnan Ramiah received the B.E., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and electronics engineering, majoring in analogue and digital IC design from University Science Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, in 2000, 2003 and 2009, respectively. In the year 2003, he was with SiresLabs Sdn. Bhd, CyberJaya, Malaysia, working on audio pre-amplifier for MEMs ASIC application and the design of 10Gbps optical transceiver solution. In year 2002 he was with Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd., Penang, Malaysia performing high frequency signal integrity analysis for high speed digital data transmission and developing Matlab spread sheet for Eye diagram generation, to evaluate signal response for FCBGA and FCMMAP packages. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University Malaya. Dr. Harikrishnan was the recipient of Intel Fellowship Grant Award, from 2000 to 2006. His research work has resulted in several technical publications. His main research interest includes Analogue Integrated Circuit Design, RFIC Design and VLSI system design. E-mail: [email protected]

Chong Wei Keat

Chong Wei Keat received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from University Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia, in 2008. Currently he is working towards the M.S degree in the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His current research interest includes analogue and Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design. E-mail: [email protected]

Jeevan Kanesan

Jeevan Kanesan received B.S. degree in electrical & electronics engineering from University Technology Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia, in 1999, and M.S. degree and Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from University Science Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia in 2003 and 2006 respectively. From 2000 to 2001, he has worked as equipment engineer at Carsem Semiconductor, Ipoh, Malaysia and IC Design engineer in the thermo-mechanical department, Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd., Penang, Malaysia from 2006 to 2008. He has been with University Malaya, Malaysia as a Senior Lecturer in the electrical engineering department since 2008. His research work has so far generated 20 technical publications. His research interests include CAD of VLSI circuits and design and analysis of algorithms. E-mail: [email protected]