In this paper, optimization of the loaded quality factor Q<sub>L</sub> for reflection-type heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) oscillators is investigated. The main result is an optimum relation between the S-parameter phases at the three transistor ports. A new design strategy for this type of oscillator is proposed. The analysis is verified by comparing several Ka-band monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit oscillators in GaAs HBT technology with different resonators. The measured loaded Q<sub>L</sub> values correspond to the measured phase noise of the circuits. At an oscillation frequency of 33 GHz, an excellent phase noise of -87 dBc/Hz at 100-kHz offset frequency is achieved over the whole tuning range.
A MMIC Colpitts oscillator in push-push configuration with integrated frequency divider using InGaP/GaAs HBTs is presented. The output is taken from the second harmonic port while the fundamental signal is fed to a frequency divider by two thus providing a reference signal at one quarter of the output frequency. The MMIC VCO reaches state-of-the-art phase-noise performance in X-band down to -120dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset frequency at high output power and a tuning range of 4%.
In this paper, optimization of the loaded quality factor QL for reflection-type HBT oscillator is investigated. Main result is an optimum relation between the S parameter phases at the three transistor ports. To support this finding, a 35.5 GHz MMIC VCO phase noise better than -85 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset frequency is demonstrated.
Coplanar W-band push-push VCO MMICs using GaInP/GaAs HBTs are presented. One circuit operates at 77 GHz with phase noise of -92 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset. To our knowledge this is the first fully monolithic W-band VCO with phase noise better than -90 dBc/Hz. A second version with two varactor diodes yields an almost threefold relative tuning bandwidth.
Two differential coplanar MMIC HBT oscillators are presented, a fixed frequency and a VCO version. They provide single-ended output at the second harmonic at 38 GHz as well as differential output at 19 GHz. The oscillators show excellent phase noise performance, the fixed-frequency type reaches -95 dBc/Hz at the fundamental frequency and -89 dBc/Hz at the second harmonic, at 100 kHz offset.
Accurate oscillator phase-noise simulation is a key problem in MMIC design, which is not solved satisfactory so far and needs further investigation. In this paper, a Ka-band MMIC oscillator with GaInP/GaAs HBT and on-chip resonator is treated as an example. Measured phase noise reaches -90 dBc/Hz and below at 100 kHz offset. To evaluate phase-noise prediction, the circuit is simulated using different commercial simulation tools and HBT models. Considerable differences in simulation results are observed.
Low phase-noise MMIC oscillators are key components for microwave and nun-wave systems. As a consequence, phase-noise measurements of these circuits have become a subject of growing interest and importance. This paper demonstrates that MMIC oscillator circuits with their relatively low Q factors are prone to specific measurement errors. Caused by a load-pull effect, the measurement system can become part of the oscillator, which yields phase-noise data significantly below reality. Special care has to be taken in order to avoid such phenomena.