Modeling and characterization of VCOs with MOS varactors for RF transceivers

As more broadband wireless standards are introduced and ratified, the complexity of wireless communication systems increases, which necessitates extra care and vigilance in their design. In this paper, various aspects of popular voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) as key components in RF transceivers are discussed. The importance of phase noise of these key blocks in the overall performance of RF transceivers is highlighted. Varactors are identified as an important component of LC-based oscillators. A new model for accumulation-mode MOS varactors is introduced. The model is experimentally verified through measurements on LC-based VCOs designed in a standard 0.13 µm CMOS process.