A /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ fractional-N frequency synthesizer using a wide-band integrated VCO and a fast AFC technique for GSM/GPRS/WCDMA applications

A fractional-N frequency synthesizer (FNFS) in a 0.5-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology is implemented. In order to operate in a wide-band frequency range, a switched-capacitors bank LC tank voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and an adaptive frequency calibration (AFC) technique are used. The measured VCO tuning range is as wide as 600 MHz (40%) from 1.15 to 1.75 GHz with a tuning sensitivity from 5.2 to 17.5 MHz/V. A 3-bit fourth-order /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulator is used to reduce out-of-band phase noise and to meet a frequency resolution of less than 3 Hz as well as agile switching time. The experimental results show -80 dBc/Hz in-band phase noise within the loop bandwidth of 25 kHz and -129 dBc/Hz out-of-band phase noise at 400-kHz offset frequency. The fractional spurious is less than -70 dBc/Hz at 300-kHz offset frequency and the reference spur is -75 dBc/Hz. The lock time is less than 150 /spl mu/s. The proposed synthesizer consumes 19.5 mA from a single 2.8-V supply voltage and meets the requirements of GSM/GPRS/WCDMA applications.     

A fast AFC technique with self-calibration for fast-locking PLLs

A fast adaptive frequency calibration (AFC) technique with self-calibration for fast-locking phase-locked loops is presented with frequency-selecting switches. The proposed AFC directly calculates the proper switch states of the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). It requires only six clock cycles of the reference oscillator regardless of the number of VCO switches to reach the final switch state in the ideal case. The proposed method counts the number of VCO cycles per reference clock period for the minimum VCO frequency (MIN) and the maximum VCO frequency (MAX) during the first four-clock periods. For the following two-clock periods, the proper states of the VCO switches are set to the calculated value from MIN, MAX and the desired division ratio for a target frequency (EST). A frequency synthesiser with the proposed AFC was implemented on a 0.18?µm CMOS process. The AFC time decreased from 40 to 0.4?µs employing the proposed scheme such that the total lock time is 40?µs with the loop bandwidth of 40?kHz.     

A time-to-digital converter based AFC for wideband frequency synthesizer

The automatic frequency calibration (AFC) technique is routinely used in wideband frequency synthesizers that contain multiple voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) tuning curves. In this paper, a counter-based AFC that uses a time-to-digital converter (TDC) in the counting process is developed. The TDC is able to capture the fractional VCO cycle information within the counting window. This significantly improves the frequency detection accuracy over the existing counter-based AFC techniques. In addition, a quantitative model is developed to determine the minimally required error-free AFC calibration time for a given VCO tuning curve characteristic. An AFC circuit using the proposed TDC-based counter is designed in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology. Simulation results show that the proposed AFC significantly improves the frequency detection accuracy and consequently for a given frequency detection resolution reduces the AFC calibration time. The simulated error-free AFC time is <2.5 μs with a frequency resolution of 0.04 %.     

具有自校准压控振荡器和精确自动频率校准算法的低噪声频率合成器

A low noise phase locked loop （PLL） frequency synthesizer implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology is introduced. A VCO noise reduction method suited for short channel design is proposed to minimize PLL output phase noise. A self-calibrated voltage controlled oscillator is proposed in cooperation with the automatic frequency calibration circuit, whose accurate binary search algorithm helps reduce the VCO tuning curve coverage, which reduces the VCO noise contribution at PLL output phase noise. A low noise, charge pump is also introduced to extend the tuning voltage range of the proposed VCO, which further reduces its phase noise contribution. The frequency synthesizer generates 9.75-11.5 GHz high frequency wide band local oscillator （LO） carriers. Tested 11.5 GHz LO bears a phase noise of-104 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz frequency offset. The total power dissipation of the proposed frequency synthesizer is 48 mW. The area of the proposed frequency synthesizer is 0.3 mm^2, including bias circuits and buffers.     

A 5 GHz CMOS frequency synthesizer with novel phase-switching prescaler and high-Q LC-VCO

A phase-locked loop(PLL) frequency synthesizer with a novel phase-switching prescaler and a high-Q LC voltage controlled oscillator(VCO) is presented.The phase-switching prescaler with a novel modulus control mechanism is much more robust on process variations.The Q factor of the inductor,I-MOS capacitors and varactors in the VCO are optimized.The proposed frequency synthesizer was fabricated by SMIC 0.13μm 1P8M MMRF CMOS technology with a chip area of 1150×2500μm~2.When locking at 5 GHz,the current consumption is 15 mA from a supply voltage of 1.2 V and the measured phase noise at a 1 MHz offset is -122.45 dBc/Hz.     

RFID射频收发器可编程配置模块设计

为满足RFID射频收发器可灵活配置工作模式,并校准芯片工作频率的要求,设计了一种具有新型双缓冲存储结构和实现自适应频率校准(AFC)的可编程配置模块。采用双缓冲存储结构和数据同步方法简化设计,通过引入可变阶距因子改进自适应频率校准算法,使得频率锁定时间有效降低。采用TSMC0.18μm工艺进行后端设计并流片,芯片面积4mm2,供电电压1.8V。测试结果表明,该模块能正确完成芯片配置,AFC频率跟踪时间缩短到135μs以内。     

A fast-settling frequency-presetting PLL frequency synthesizer with process variation compensation and spur reduction

This paper proposes a fast-settling frequency-presetting PLL frequency synthesizer.A mixed-signal VCO and a digital processor are developed to accurately preset the frequency of VCO and greatly reduce the settling time.An auxiliary tuning loop is introduced in order to reduce reference spur caused by leakage current.The digital processor can automatically compensate presetting frequency variation with process and temperature,and control the operation of the auxiliary tuning loop.A 1.2 GHz integer-N synthesizer with 1 MHz reference input Was implemented in a 0.18μm process.The measured results demonstrate that the typical settling time of the synthesizer is less than 3μs,and the phase noise is-108 dBc/Hz@1MHz.The reference spur is-52 dBc.     

A modified closed-loop auto frequency calibration technique for a 1.571-GHz integer-N PLL

In this paper, a modified closed-loop auto frequency calibration technique (MCL-AFC) is adopted in an integer-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for GPS-L1 application. The ignorance of circuit initial conditions setting in the closed-loop AFC may cause the start-up trap and long frequency calibration time. To solve these problems, the MCL-AFC technique is introduced. The process of MCL-AFC is listed below: first, initialisation process is only used for start-up of PLL; second, closed-loop voltage comparison process and open-loop switching process will take place alternately until optimum frequency control words are obtained. Tuning voltage searching range is reduced by half during the voltage comparison process since VCO’s tuning voltage is set to half of supply voltage through switching process. The MCL-AFC circuit is implemented in a 1-poly 6-metal 180 nm CMOS process and its chip area is 0.0167 mm². The measured locked output frequency of the PLL is 1.571 GHz and the out-band phase noise is ?131.9dBc/Hz at 1 MHz. The calibration time of PLL with MCL-AFC circuit is reduced to only 5µs while whole locking time is about 10.2µs.     

具有工艺补偿和毛刺消除功能的快速锁定频率预置锁相环频率综合器

This paper proposes a fast-settling frequency-presetting PLL frequency synthesizer. A mixedsignal VCO and a digital processor are developed to accurately preset the frequency of VCO and greatly reduce the settling time. An auxiliary tuning loop is introduced in order to reduce reference spur caused by leakage current. The digital processor can automatically compensate presetting frequency variation with process and temperature, and control the operation of the auxiliary tuning loop. A 1.2 GHz integer-N synthesizer with 1 MHz reference input was implemented in a 0.18 μm process. The measured results demonstrate that the typical settling time of the synthesizer is less than 3 μs, and the phase noise is –108 dBc/Hz@1MHz. The reference spur is –52 dBc.     

Single-VCO multi-band DTV frequency synthesizer with a divide-by-3 frequency divider for quadrature signal generation

A multi-band frequency synthesizer for In-phase and Quadrature (I/Q) LO signal generation in Digital TV tuners is presented. Using divisor numbers other than powers of 2 (2 ⁿ ) for quadrature generation, reduces the required frequency range of the VCO, hence the number of VCO circuits, in multi-band frequency synthesizers. In the proposed synthesizer, VHF, UHF and L-band frequencies are covered with only one VCO. This is achieved by using a novel divide-by-3 circuit which produces precise I/Q LO signals. The VCO tuning range in this design is 2,400–3,632 MHz which is covered by a 6-bit switched-capacitor bank. A fast adaptive frequency calibration block selects the closest VCO frequency to the target frequency by setting the coarse-tuning code prior to the start of phase lock. A programmable charge pump is used to reduce variations in PLL characteristics over the frequency range. The synthesizer has been fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology and the die area is 1.7 × 1.6 mm². It consumes 27 mA from a 1.8 V power supply. Measurement results show operation of the proposed divide-by-3 circuit over the entire VCO frequency range. The synthesizer quadrature output phase noise for UHF and VHF bands is <−131dBc/Hz at 1.45 MHz offset.     

使用三位三阶Δ∑调制器的集成1GHz小数频率合成器

本文实现了一个采用三位三阶Δ∑调制器的高频谱纯度集成小数频率合成器.该频率合成器采用了模拟调谐和数字调谐组合技术来提高相位噪声性能,优化的电源组合可以避免各个模块之间的相互干扰,并且提高鉴频鉴相器的线性度和提高振荡器的调谐范围.通过采用尾电流源滤波技术和减小振荡器的调谐系数,在片压控振荡器具有很低的相位噪声,而通过采用开关电容阵列,该压控振荡器达到了大约100MHz的调谐范围,该开关电容阵列由在片数字调谐系统进行控制.该频率合成器已经采用0.18μm CMOS工艺实现,仿真结果表明,该频率频率合成器的环路带宽约为14kHz,最大带内相位噪声约为-106dBc/Hz;在偏离载波频率100kHz处的相位噪声小于-120dBc/Hz,具有很高的频谱纯度.该频率合成器还具有很快的反应速度,其锁定时间约为160μs.     

A constant loop bandwidth fractional-N frequency synthesizer for GNSS receivers

正A constant loop bandwidth fractional-TV frequency synthesizer for portable civilian global navigation satellite system(GNSS) receivers implemented in a 130 nm 1P6M CMOS process is introduced.Via discrete working regions,the LC-VCO obtains a wide tuning range with a simple structure and small VCO gain.Spur suppression technology is proposed to minimize the phase offset introduced by PFD and charge pumps.The optimized bandwidth is maintained by an auto loop calibration module to adjust the charge pump current when the PLL output frequency changes or the temperature varies.Measurement results show that this synthesizer attains an in-band phase noise lower than -93 dBc at a 10 kHz offset and a spur less than -70 dBc;the bandwidth varies by±3%for all the GNSS signals.The whole synthesizer consumes 4.5 mA current from a 1 V supply,and its area(without the LO tested buffer) is 0.5 mm~2.     

全集成低噪声CMOS宽带分数分频频率综合器

设计了一款应用于CMMB数字电视广播接收的全集成低噪声宽带频率综合器。采用三阶ΣΔ调制器小数分频器完成高精度的频率输出,使用仅一个低相位噪声的宽带VCO输出频率范围覆盖900~1 600 MHz,产生的本振信号覆盖UHF的数字电视频段(470~790 MHz)。设计中的频率综合器能在所有的频道下保证环路的稳定以及最小的环路性能偏差。测试结果表明,整个频率综合器的带内相位噪声小于-85 dBc/Hz,并且带外相位噪声在1MHz时均小于-121 dBc/Hz,总的频率综合器锁定时间小于300μs。设计在UMC 0.18μm RFCMOS工艺下实现,芯片面积小于0.6 mm2,在1.8 V电源电压的测试条件下,总功耗小于22 mW。     

A low power fast-settling frequency-presetting PLL frequency synthesizer

This work presents the design and implementation of a 2.4 GHz low power fast-settling frequency-presetting PLL frequency synthesizer in the 0.18μm CMOS process.A low power mixed-signal LC VCO,a low power dual mode prescaler and a digital processor with non-volatile memory are developed to greatly reduce the power consumption and the setting time.The digital processor can automatically calibrate the presetting frequency and accurately preset the frequency of the VCO under process variations.The experiment...     

A fast-locking agile frequency synthesizer for MIMO dual-mode WiFi/WiMAX applications

In this paper, a wide-range and fast-locking phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer using the band selection technique for the agile voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is proposed. The minimum time for band selection, discretely tuned by a time-to-voltage converter, can reach four times of the reference period. In addition, a current-enhanced circuit applied to the PLL can make settling behavior faster. The synthesizer is implemented in a 0.13-μm CMOS process, which provides the range from 4.6 GHz to 5.4 GHz with the phase noise of −106 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset. Combining the fast-locking techniques, the lock time of the synthesizer can be less than 13.2 μs and consume 39 mW from a 1.2-V power supply.     

一种用于短距离器件的带自校准的∑-Δ分数分频频率综合器

介绍了一种应用于433/868MHz频段短距离器件的分数分频频率综合器.采用带自适应频率校准的宽带压控振荡器来覆盖要求的频段,并采用3位量化、3阶的Σ△调制器来实现分数分频和改善锁相环的带外噪声.测试结果表明,自适应频率校准能够正常工作,压控振荡器的频率调节范围为1.31～1.18GHz,在3MHz频偏处的带外噪声为-139dBc/Hz,分数毛刺低于-60dBc.芯片采用0.35μm CMOS工艺,芯片面积仅为1.8mm2,功耗仅为57mW.     

一个自调谐,自适应的1.9GHz分数/整数频率综合器

本文提出了一个具有自调谐,自适应功能的1.9GHz的分数/整数锁相环频率综合器.该频率综合器采用模拟调谐和数字调谐相结合的技术来提高相位噪声性能.自适应环路被用来实现带宽自动调整,可以缩短环路的建立时间.通过打开或者关断 ΣΔ 调制器的输出来实现分数和整数分频两种工作模式,仅用一个可编程计数器实现吞脉冲分频器的功能.采用偏置滤波技术以及差分电感,在片压控振荡器具有很低的相位噪声;通过采用开关电容阵列,该压控振荡器可以工作在1.7GHz~2.1GHz的调谐范围.该频率综合器采用0.18 μ m,1.8V SMIC CMOS工艺实现.SpectreVerilog仿真表明:该频率综合器的环路带宽约为100kHz,在600kHz处的相位噪声优于-123dBc/Hz,具有小于15 μ s的锁定时间.     

一种用于短距离器件的带自校准的∑-Δ分数分频频率综合器

介绍了一种应用于433/868MHz频段短距离器件的分数分频频率综合器.采用带自适应频率校准的宽带压控振荡器来覆盖要求的频段,并采用3位量化、3阶的Σ△调制器来实现分数分频和改善锁相环的带外噪声.测试结果表明,自适应频率校准能够正常工作,压控振荡器的频率调节范围为1.31～1.18GHz,在3MHz频偏处的带外噪声为-139dBc/Hz,分数毛刺低于-60dBc.芯片采用0.35μm CMOS工艺,芯片面积仅为1.8mm2,功耗仅为57mW.     

A constant loop bandwidth in delta sigma fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer with phase noise cancellation

This work presents the design of a new and unique design technique of constant loop bandwidth and phase-noise cancellation in a wideband ΔΣ fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer. Phase noise performance of the proposed ΔΣ fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer has been verified using CppSim simulator with the help of transistor level simulation results in Cadence SpecctreRF. Transient response of the proposed ΔΣ fractional-N PLL has been verified in transistor level simulation using Cadence SpectreRF in 0.13 μm standard CMOS process. The proposed phase-noise cancellation and constant loop bandwidth in wideband ΔΣ fractional-N PLL reduces the out of band phase noise by 18 dBc/Hz at 2 MHz offset frequency for a closed loop bandwidth of 1 MHz, when I_CP,max is equal to 2.6 mA. PLL locking time has been reduced with phase-noise cancellation and a constant loop bandwidth calibration circuits using the proposed CP unit current cell for the mismatch compensated PFD/DAC in wideband ΔΣ fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer. Optimum phase noise performance can be achieved with the help of proposed design technique. Proposed ΔΣ fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer is locked within 14.0 μs with an automatic frequency control circuit of the LC VCO and a constant loop bandwidth calibration circuit through the use of proposed CP unit current cell for the mismatch compensated PFD/DAC for the phase-noise cancellation in worst case condition of K_VFC = 10 and K_LBC = 150. Our new design technique can be extensively integrated for wideband fractional-N PLL for new type of wireless communication paradigm using the thinnest channel subharmonic transistor and low power devices, and it has the potential to open a new era of fractional-N PLLs for wideband application.     

一款低抖动宽调节范围锁相环频率合成器的设计

提出了一种基于SMIC公司0.18μm工艺、输出频率范围为1 GHz～3 GHz的低抖动电荷泵锁相环频率合成器设计方法.该设计方法采用一种新型自动调节复位脉冲的鉴频鉴相器结构,可以根据压控振荡器反馈频率自动调节不同的脉冲宽度,用以适应不同的输出时钟.仿真结果显示该器件能够有效降低锁相环频率合成器的抖动,其最大峰-峰值抖动为20.337 ps,锁定时间为0.8μs,功耗为19.8 mW.