A 2-GHz, 6-mW BiCMOS frequency synthesizer

A 128-channel pulse-swallow frequency synthesizer includes a 3-mW VCO, a 2.2-mW 16/17 dual-modulus prescaler, a 9-b program counter, and a 7-b swallow counter. The circuit is fully integrated with the exception of the loop-filter capacitor. The ECL prescaler incorporates current sharing and circuit stacking techniques to reduce power consumption. Fabricated in a 1-/spl mu/m, 20-GHz BiCMOS process, the circuit operates from a 3-V supply and occupies an active area of 0.28 mm/sup 2/.