A 26.5–37.5 GHz frequency divider and a 73-GHz-BW CML buffer in 0.13μm CMOS

This paper presents a frequency divider with a wide operating frequency range and a high bandwidth CML buffer intended for an 80-Gb/s serial link system. The proposed divider uses a pulsed-latch architecture that replaces the slave latch in a flip-flop-based divider with a buffer. The CML buffer employs both shunt-and-double-series inductive peaking and active feedback. Implemented in a 0.13-mum CMOS process with f_T of only 82 GHz, the divider operates over a wide range of 26.5-37.S GHz with an input sensitivity of 1 V_{pp, diff} and produces a nominal output swing of 1 V_{pp, diff}. The CML buffer achieves a -3 dB bandwidth of 73.5 GHz in simulation, which is high enough to buffer an 80-Gb/s NRZ data stream. The fabricated frequency divider and clock buffers dissipate 22.5 mW and 72 mW, respectively, from a 1.8-V supply.