Fully integrated 10 GHz CMOS VCO for multi-band WLAN applications

A 10 GHz VCO, with 26% tuning range and with -96 dBc/Hz phase noise @ 100kHz offset, has been fabricated in a standard low cost 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS technology with a thick metal option. In order to optimize this VCO for integration in a dual-mode 2.4/5 GHz transceiver product, a 6 bits-trimmable LC-tank with Q ranging from 12 to 18 has been first fabricated and characterized. The use of an on-chip transformer allowed measurements of the VCO to be made in different biasing conditions. This VCO can be used adequately to fit frequency synthesizer's requirements for the 802.11a/b/g standards.