Phase Noise and Frequency Stability in Oscillators


Book Description

Presenting a comprehensive account of oscillator phase noise and frequency stability, this practical text is both mathematically rigorous and accessible. An in-depth treatment of the noise mechanism is given, describing the oscillator as a physical system, and showing that simple general laws govern the stability of a large variety of oscillators differing in technology and frequency range. Inevitably, special attention is given to amplifiers, resonators, delay lines, feedback, and flicker (1/f) noise. The reverse engineering of oscillators based on phase-noise spectra is also covered, and end-of-chapter exercises are given. Uniquely, numerous practical examples are presented, including case studies taken from laboratory prototypes and commercial oscillators, which allow the oscillator internal design to be understood by analyzing its phase-noise spectrum. Based on tutorials given by the author at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, international IEEE meetings, and in industry, this is a useful reference for academic researchers, industry practitioners, and graduate students in RF engineering and communications engineering.




The Design of Low Noise Oscillators


Book Description

It is hardly a revelation to note that wireless and mobile communications have grown tremendously during the last few years. This growth has placed stringent requi- ments on channel spacing and, by implication, on the phase noise of oscillators. C- pounding the challenge has been a recent drive toward implementations of transceivers in CMOS, whose inferior 1/f noise performance has usually been thought to disqualify it from use in all but the lowest-performance oscillators. Low noise oscillators are also highly desired in the digital world, of course. The c- tinued drive toward higher clock frequencies translates into a demand for ev- decreasing jitter. Clearly, there is a need for a deep understanding of the fundamental mechanisms g- erning the process by which device, substrate, and supply noise turn into jitter and phase noise. Existing models generally offer only qualitative insights, however, and it has not always been clear why they are not quantitatively correct.







The Designer's Guide to High-Purity Oscillators


Book Description

try to predict it using mathematical expressions. His heuristic model without mathematical proof is almost universally accepted. However, it entails a c- cuit specific noise factor that is not known a priori and so is not predictive. In this work, we attempt to address the topic of oscillator design from a diff- ent perspective. By introducing a new paradigm that accurately captures the subtleties of phase noise we try to answer the question: 'why do oscillators behave in a particular way?' and 'what can be done to build an optimum design?' It is also hoped that the paradigm is useful in other areas of circuit design such as frequency synthesis and clock recovery. In Chapter 1, a general introduction and motivation to the subject is presented. Chapter 2 summarizes the fundamentals of phase noise and timing jitter and discusses earlier works on oscillator's phase noise analysis. Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 analyze the physical mechanisms behind phase noise generation in current-biased and Colpitts oscillators. Chapter 5 discusses design trade-offs and new techniques in LC oscillator design that allows optimal design. Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 discuss a topic that is typically ignored in oscillator design. That is flicker noise in LC oscillators. Finally, Chapter 8 is dedicated to the complete analysis of the role of varactors both in tuning and AM-FM noise conversion.




Phase Noise in Signal Sources


Book Description

This book contains a thorough treatment of phase noise, its relationship to thermal noise and associated subjects such as frequency stability. The design of low phase noise signal sources, including oscillators and synthesisers, is explained and in many cases the measured phase noise characteristics are compared with the theoretical predictions. Full theoretical treatments are combined with physical explanations, helpful comments, examples of manufactured equipment and practical tips. Overall system performance degradations due to unwanted phase noise are fully analysed for radar systems and for both analogue and digital communications systems. Specifications for the acceptable phase noise performance of signal sources to be used in such systems are derived after allowing for both technical and economic optimisation. The mature engineer whose mathematics may be somewhat rusty will find that every effort has been made to use the lowest level of mathematical sophistication that is compatible with a full analysis and every line of each mathematical argument has been set out so that the book may be read and understood even in an armchair. Due to a novel approach to the analytical treatment of narrow band noise, the book is simple to understand while simultaneously carrying the analysis further in several areas than any existing publication.




Design of High-Performance CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillators


Book Description

Design of High-Performance CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillators presents a phase noise modeling framework for CMOS ring oscillators. The analysis considers both linear and nonlinear operation. It indicates that fast rail-to-rail switching has to be achieved to minimize phase noise. Additionally, in conventional design the flicker noise in the bias circuit can potentially dominate the phase noise at low offset frequencies. Therefore, for narrow bandwidth PLLs, noise up conversion for the bias circuits should be minimized. We define the effective Q factor (Qeff) for ring oscillators and predict its increase for CMOS processes with smaller feature sizes. Our phase noise analysis is validated via simulation and measurement results. The digital switching noise coupled through the power supply and substrate is usually the dominant source of clock jitter. Improving the supply and substrate noise immunity of a PLL is a challenging job in hostile environments such as a microprocessor chip where millions of digital gates are present.




Understanding Jitter and Phase Noise


Book Description

Gain an intuitive understanding of jitter and phase noise with this authoritative guide. Leading researchers provide expert insights on a wide range of topics, from general theory and the effects of jitter on circuits and systems, to key statistical properties and numerical techniques. Using the tools provided in this book, you will learn how and when jitter and phase noise occur, their relationship with one another, how they can degrade circuit performance, and how to mitigate their effects - all in the context of the most recent research in the field. Examine the impact of jitter in key application areas, including digital circuits and systems, data converters, wirelines, and wireless systems, and learn how to simulate it using the accompanying Matlab code. Supported by additional examples and exercises online, this is a one-stop guide for graduate students and practicing engineers interested in improving the performance of modern electronic circuits and systems.




Microwave Circuit Design Using Linear and Nonlinear Techniques


Book Description

The ultimate handbook on microwave circuit design with CAD. Full of tips and insights from seasoned industry veterans, Microwave Circuit Design offers practical, proven advice on improving the design quality of microwave passive and active circuits-while cutting costs and time. Covering all levels of microwave circuit design from the elementary to the very advanced, the book systematically presents computer-aided methods for linear and nonlinear designs used in the design and manufacture of microwave amplifiers, oscillators, and mixers. Using the newest CAD tools, the book shows how to design transistor and diode circuits, and also details CAD's usefulness in microwave integrated circuit (MIC) and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. Applications of nonlinear SPICE programs, now available for microwave CAD, are described. State-of-the-art coverage includes microwave transistors (HEMTs, MODFETs, MESFETs, HBTs, and more), high-power amplifier design, oscillator design including feedback topologies, phase noise and examples, and more. The techniques presented are illustrated with several MMIC designs, including a wideband amplifier, a low-noise amplifier, and an MMIC mixer. This unique, one-stop handbook also features a major case study of an actual anticollision radar transceiver, which is compared in detail against CAD predictions; examples of actual circuit designs with photographs of completed circuits; and tables of design formulae.




Analysis and Design of CMOS Clocking Circuits For Low Phase Noise


Book Description

As electronics continue to become faster, smaller and more efficient, development and research around clocking signals and circuits has accelerated to keep pace. This book bridges the gap between the classical theory of clocking circuits and recent technological advances, making it a useful guide for newcomers to the field, and offering an opportunity for established researchers to broaden and update their knowledge of current trends.




The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits


Book Description

This book, first published in 2004, is an expanded and revised edition of Tom Lee's acclaimed RFIC text.