27.5 A $17.9-\text{to}-22.4 \text{GHz} 195.6 \pm 1.3 \text{dBc} / \text{Hz}$ FoM Quad-Core Class-F −1 VCO Featuring Improved Synchronization Using a Circular Pentafilar Transformer-Based Tank
Abstract
A$17.9$-to-22.4GHz quad-core inverse-Class-F VCO achieving PN of −145.6 to$-141 \text{dBc} / \text{Hz}$and an FoM of 194.3 to$196.9 \text{dBc} / \text{Hz}$is reported. The VCO features a circular pentafilar transformer tank that provides high Q1/Q2 without requiring extra CM resonators. Multi-path synchronizations—in-phase at gates, out-of-phase at drains, and an auxiliary dual-path coil—equalize impedances at both$\mathrm{f}_{0}$and$2 \mathrm{f}_{0}$. A segmented alignment technique is proposed to preserve 1D tuning with improved robustness against PVT variations.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design
Advancements in PLL and VCO Technologies
Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Design
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Digest of technical papers/Digest of technical papers - IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference
- Pages
- 474–476
- Publication date
- 15 February 2026
- Language
- EN