A 21-24 GHz Low-Phase-Noise mmWave VCO with Third-Harmonic Expansion using a Triple-Coupled Transformer based Tank
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arXiv
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866917447039188992 |
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| author | Moudhgalya, Narahari N. |
| author_facet | Moudhgalya, Narahari N. |
| contents | This work presents the design and analysis of a sixth-order triple-coupled transformer-based tank, enabling third-harmonic expansion for mmWave VCOs. Unlike conventional fourth-order tanks, the proposed tank inherently supports three resonance modes, enabling wideband third-harmonic expansion without additional low-Q switched-capacitor tuning elements. In contrast to conventional class-F23 designs, the proposed VCO removes the head resonator and adopts a noise circulating core to maintain low phase noise with reduced area. Implemented in TSMC 65-nm CMOS, post-layout simulation results demonstrate a 21.03-23.99 GHz (13.5%) tuning range, minimum phase noise of -116.25 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, and peak FoM/FoMT/FoMA of 195.86/198.24/212.31 dBc/Hz while consuming 5.4 mW and occupying 0.02268 mm2. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_26405 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | A 21-24 GHz Low-Phase-Noise mmWave VCO with Third-Harmonic Expansion using a Triple-Coupled Transformer based Tank Moudhgalya, Narahari N. Signal Processing This work presents the design and analysis of a sixth-order triple-coupled transformer-based tank, enabling third-harmonic expansion for mmWave VCOs. Unlike conventional fourth-order tanks, the proposed tank inherently supports three resonance modes, enabling wideband third-harmonic expansion without additional low-Q switched-capacitor tuning elements. In contrast to conventional class-F23 designs, the proposed VCO removes the head resonator and adopts a noise circulating core to maintain low phase noise with reduced area. Implemented in TSMC 65-nm CMOS, post-layout simulation results demonstrate a 21.03-23.99 GHz (13.5%) tuning range, minimum phase noise of -116.25 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, and peak FoM/FoMT/FoMA of 195.86/198.24/212.31 dBc/Hz while consuming 5.4 mW and occupying 0.02268 mm2. |
| title | A 21-24 GHz Low-Phase-Noise mmWave VCO with Third-Harmonic Expansion using a Triple-Coupled Transformer based Tank |
| topic | Signal Processing |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.26405 |