Low noise CMOS voltage-control oscillator design methodology with emphasis on non-linear effect contributions, 2.4 GHz CMOS design example

This Paper demonstrates an attempt to link nonlinear (transient) oscillator behavior with phase noise. Phase noise generation is first studies, starting with examining Groszkowski's equation. After studying the mechanism, it is found that phase noise is determined by the transfer function and harmonics and based on which, a VCO design guideline is proposed to aid low phase noise VCO design. Then a novel VCO topology is proposed based on this guideline, aiming to reduce the harmonics and decrease the magnitude and the bandwidth of the transfer function. The circuit was designed and implemented in 0.13um IBM CMOS technology. The simulated performance at 2.4GHz was -133dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset with supply current of 3.07mA at 1V supply.