Design sequence for a LC-tank voltage controlled oscillator in CMOS for RF

Abstract

A design sequence for a LC-tank voltage controlled oscillator - VCO - in CMOS for radio frequency is presented in this paper. Details about the design of the components are shown. Among these details, it is a method to reach the active components (transistors) based on simulations using models given by the foundry. A VCO with a frequency range from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz has been designed to validate the method. Due to access facilities it had been chosen the AMS 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS as fabrication technology. The VCO had been fabricated and the measurements done are compatible with the simulations. The good agreement between the measurements and the simulations show that the design sequence is correct.