A multichannel, multicore mm-Wave clustered VCO with phase noise, tuning range, and lifetime reliability enhancements

Clustering and multi-core transformer coupling techniques are presented to improve phase noise, tuning range, and reliability of a mm-wave VCO. A proofof-concept design targeting the WiGig protocol is shown. Each cluster of VCOs covers one channel resulting in better phase noise performance. Multicores of VCOs with uncorrelated noise are combined using transformers to further enhance phase noise and combat the voltage swing reliability issues. Furthermore, due to realization of multiple inductive elements in parallel instead of one small inductor, this approach bypasses Q-degradation of small inductors (<;50pH). The VCO achieves a phase noise of -101.8dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset with over 12.6% tuning range (50.7GHz to 57.5GHz) and an FOM of -183dB/Hz.