A linear tuning ring VCO for spectrum monitor receiver in cognitive radio applications

A ring oscillator is designed and implemented on standard 130nm CMOS technology for wide range frequency tuning purpose in a spectrum monitor receiver used in cognitive radio applications. The three-stage differential ring oscillator is tuned by an array of MOS varactors, which is controlled by a novel staggered voltage offset system for improved tuning linearity. The proposed ring oscillator achieves a measured tuning range from 4.85GHz to 7.15GHz, consuming 4.2mA current from a 1.2V supply voltage. The measured phase noise is -82.5 dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset from an operating frequency of 4.88GHz. The die area of the oscillator core is about 70μm×50μm.