A 20-GHz Multi-Core Digitally Controlled Oscillator with -118 dBc/Hz Phase Noise at 1MHz Offset in 28nm CMOS

This paper introduces a 20 GHz multi-core digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) designed for high-speed and high-precision radar applications. The multi-core architecture provides superior output power, lower phase noise, and better stability compared to a single-core oscillator. Fabricated using a 28nm CMOS process, the oscillator comprises four identical cores and exhibits excellent phase noise performance, with a value of −118 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from 19.5 GHz, 18% tuning range and - 189.6 Figure of Merit (FoM).

I. Introduction

In recent years, the growing interest in autonomous and assisted driving applications has been accompanied by significant advances in integrated circuit (IC) technologies and designs, which have enabled the development of integrated radar systems capable of operating in the mm-wave (mm-W) frequency range. Among these systems, the frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar operating in the 76-81 GHz range has emerged, due to its ability to accurately measure target distance and speed.