Dual-Mode Voltage-Controlled Oscillator
- Summary
- Conventionally, frequency tuning is achieved by changing the capacitance of a tank using varactor. However, it is more power efficient to minimize the capacitance of the tank and adjust the inductance for frequency variation. Therefore, the need for a variable inductor arises.
A novel integrated variable inductor using an on-chip transformer together with a variable capacitor has been developed. The variable capacitor is connected to the secondary coil of the transformer. By changing the capacitance at the secondary coil of the transformer, the equivalent inductance looking into the primary coil of the transformer can be adjusted.
In this new design, the frequency tuning range can be extended to be much larger than that can be achieved with existing solution with variable capacitors.
With such variable inductor, the capacitor can be fixed and be small so that all the parameters including frequency tuning range, phase noise, and power consumption, can be greatly improved. It has also been applied to a VCO to achieve wide frequency tuning range and high performance that are not achievable with existing technologies.
- Technology Benefits
- 1. Compared to capacitive tuning, the inductive tuning gives rise to a wider frequency tuning range, smaller chip area, lower phase noise and lower power consumption
2. It is possible to improve performance of many high-frequency integrated circuits and systems
3. It operates at a lower cost
- Technology Application
- - All high-frequency integrated circuits (ICs) and systems that require inductors and frequency tuning, for example, high-frequency LC oscillators, phase-locked loop, frequency synthesizers
- Any other high-frequency wireless or optical communication systems
- Supplementary Information
- Patent Number: US7652541B2
Application Number: US2007833005A
Inventor: Luong, Howard Cam | Leung, Lai Kan
Priority Date: 27 Aug 2004
Priority Number: US7652541B2
Application Date: 2 Aug 2007
Publication Date: 26 Jan 2010
IPC Current: H03J000702
US Class: 331036L | 331181
Assignee Applicant: The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Title: Dual-mode voltage-controlled oscillator
Usefulness: Dual-mode voltage-controlled oscillator
Summary: Dual-mode variable inductor for dual-mode voltage-controlled oscillator (claimed) and high-frequency circuits.
Novelty: Dual-mode variable inductor for use in dual-mode voltage-controlled oscillator, includes transformer having primary and secondary coils, and variable capacitance provided in parallel with secondary coil
- Industry
- Electronics
- Sub Category
- Circuit Design
- Application Date
- 2 Aug 2007
- Application No.
- US 11/833005
- Patent Information
- US 7652541
- ID No.
- TTC.PA.191
- Country/Region
- Hong Kong
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