Frequency Sensitivity of Integrated Oscillators to Nearby Conductors

A measurement setup including a metal plate probe mounted on a micrometer-controlled positioner is used to quantify the effects of surrounding to voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) characteristics. Including a metal ring shield around the inductor of LC-VCO and placing components underneath the inductor to reduce the circuit area lower the sensitivity of VCO performance to surroundings. It should be possible to incorporate a metal plate on top of the oscillator as part of packaging to shield the VCO from the surrounding with tolerable impact to the oscillator performance.