An area and phase noise improved 19-GHz down-converter VCO for 77-GHz automotive radar frontends in a SiGe Bipolar Production Technology

A down-converter including a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), buffer, mixer, and prescaler is presented. The fully differential circuit configuration of the down-converter operates in a frequency range from 17.7 GHz to 19.4 GHz at a 5.5 V supply. The overall current consumption at room-temperature is 186 mA. The VCO has been improved in terms of area consumption and phase noise.