A 77GHz CMOS VCO with 11.3GHz tuning range, 6dBm output power, and competitive phase noise in 65nm bulk CMOS

We demonstrate, using a foundry-based 65nm bulk technology, mmWave CMOS VCOs in the range of 38GHz and 77GHz with highest reported continuous tuning range (14%-25%), competitive phase noise (-88dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset at 77GHz), and high P_out (6dBm at 77GHz) needed to readily integrate with CMOS PA and to tolerate PVT variations. The DC power consumption of the 77GHz VCO is ~190mW and that of the 38GHz VCOs is ~60mW (~16mW without buffer) from 1V supply (VDD). Device and design optimizations responsible for the high performance are presented. The impact of temperature and VDD variation (e.g., ~2.6GHz shift in frequency and >;5.3dB variation in P_out at 77GHz) is reported for the first time.