Design of a 1.29–1.61GHz LC-VCO with Improved Phase Noise and Figure-of-Merit (FoMT) for GPS and Satellite Navigation

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a low-phase noise and high FoMT differential CMOS LC-VCO working at 1.29–1.61[Formula: see text]GHz. An RC filter tail current source is used in this design to reduce the second-harmonic oscillation phase noise. The VCO is implemented in 180[Formula: see text]nm process technology. The post-layout simulation results indicate that this proposed VCO operates faithfully in the 1.29–1.61[Formula: see text]GHz band with a frequency tuning range (FTR) of 320[Formula: see text]MHz. By using inversion mode N-MOSFET varactor, the designed VCO obtains 22.06% FTR. The phase noise of the VCO is [Formula: see text]130.21[Formula: see text]dBc/Hz at 1[Formula: see text]MHz offset frequency. It consumes 4.01[Formula: see text]mW average power from 1.3[Formula: see text]V supply. The cell area occupied by the design is [Formula: see text]. Figure-of-merit considering FTR (FoM[Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]194.14[Formula: see text]dBc/Hz at 1[Formula: see text]MHz offset frequency, phase noise and average power consumption. The proposed VCO can be used for low-phase noise GPS and satellite navigation.