1.16 GHz dual-modulus 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS prescaler

The authors have designed a dual-modulus prescaler dividing either by 8 or 9 in a 1.2 /spl mu/m industrial CMOS process. With the use of advanced dynamic circuit techniques, a maximum frequency of 1.16 GHz has been reached at a supply of 5 V and 9 mA. With a reduced supply voltage of 3 V, operation at up to 654 MHz requiring 3.2-mA supply current is achieved. To simplify testing, a VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator), covering a frequency range of 600 to 1050 MHz, has been included on-chip. Two VCO-prescalar combinations, two isolated prescalers, and a VCO have been designed, integrated, and tested.