A 0.55-V 1-GHz frequency synthesizer PLL for ultra-low-voltage ultra-low-power applications

An ultra-low-voltage ultra-low-power frequency synthesizer phase-locked loop (PLL) is presented. The presented PLL utilizes different low-voltage techniques to allow operation at high speed while operating from a 0.55 V power supply. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS technology, the PLL occupies a silicon area of 1.2 mm² and consumes 3 mW dc power. The frequency operating range is from 860 MHz to 1.22 GHz, while the measured phase noise is −107 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from a 1.2 GHz carrier frequency. The rms jitter of the PLL is 6.1 ps, measured at 1.2 GHz carrier.