Session 25 overview: RF frequency generation from GHz to THz: RF subcommittee

Frequency generation circuits are ubiquitous building blocks in communication, sensing, and imaging systems. This session covers the latest advances in frequency generation, targetting reduction of noise, chip area, and power consumption in frequency synthesizers and VCOs. The session includes an E-band phase-locked-based frequency synthesizer that employs passive scaling to increase loop-filter capacitance, a phase-locked-based transmission array at 320GHz frequency, and a highly stable thin-film-based acoustic resonator achieving a stability of ±3 ppm from 0 to 90°C. Two papers describe techniques for reducing the effects of flicker noise in oscillators, another describes quantization noise cancellation in a fractional-N PLL, and another reduces PLL noise by manipulating impulse sensitivity and noise modulating functions of transistors. One paper addresses all-digital PLL design using voltage-mode digitization, and another describes inductorless PLL design to reduce power consumption.