A 3.6 GHz double cross-coupled multivibrator VCO with 1.6-GHz tuning

Abstract

This brief presents a fully monolithic voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) based on double cross-coupled multivibrator architecture with a speed enhancing -load designed and implemented on a standard 0.35-m BiCMOS process. The tuning range achieved is greater than 1.6 GHz with a center frequency of 3.6 GHz and the measured phase noise is 98 2 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 600 kHz. The VCO draws 17.5 mA from a 2.4 V supply.Index Terms-BiCMOS technology, multi-GHz VCO, wide tuning range.