A 1-GHz Tuning Range DCO with a 3.9kHz Discrete Tuning Step for UWB Frequency Synthesizer

Abstract

This paper presents a wide range DCO with fine discrete tuning steps using a ΣΔ modulation technique for UWB frequency synthesizer. The proposed discrete tuning scheme provides a low effective frequency resolution without any degradation of the phase noise performance. With its three step discrete tunings, the DCO simultaneously has a wide tuning range and fine tuning steps. The frequency synthesizer was implemented using 0.13µm CMOS technology. The tuning range of the DCO is 5.8-6.8GHz with an effective frequency resolution of 3.9kHz. It achieves a measured phase noise of −108dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset and a tuning range of 16.8% with the power consumption of 5.9mW. The figure of merit with the tuning range is −181.5dBc/Hz.