A 53 GHz DCO for mm-wave WPAN

A digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) for mm-wave wireless applications is demonstrated for the first time. Low phase noise is achieved adopting an efficient complementary topology and optimizing the programmable-capacitor array. A fine frequency resolution of 1.8 MHz is obtained using switched metal-oxide-metal capacitors while coarse frequency tuning is achieved using switched accumulation-mode MOS varactors. The DCO, implemented in 90 nm CMOS technology, has a power consumption of 2.34 mW, an oscillation frequency ranging from 51.3 to 53.3 GHz, and a measured phase noise of -116.5 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz from the carrier, with a resulting figure-of-merit equal to -187.2 dBc/Hz.