A Thesis for the Degree of Master Wideband Voltage Controlled Oscillators for Multi-band Multi-standard Radios

In this thesis, a procedure of designing a wideband, low phase noise VCO is proposed. The sequence is presented step by step, from the frequency planning to topology selection, component selection. By exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each VCO topology and each component, the most suitable topology and components are chosen for each application. A technique for extending the tuning range of inherently narrow tuning range LC VCO is also presented. An all-PMOS wideband, low phase noise VCO is designed to demonstrate the designing procedure. Measurement results shows that the power consumption of this VCO is 8.8 mW from the 1.8 V power supply, the tuning range is from 2.85 GHz to 3.77 GHz, and the phase noise at 1 MHz from the carrier frequency of 3.76 GHz is -122.0 dBc/Hz. To reduce the amplitude variation over a wide frequency tuning range and to ensure a fast and reliable startup against process and temperature variations, combining biasing for optimum noise performance, an automatic amplitude controller is proposed. Measurement results of this