Wideband high-linearity low-phase-noise VCO for space communication systems

The paper deals on the design of a Ku-Band monolithic voltage-controlled oscillator for PLL frequency synthesizer in modern space communication systems. The VCO, realized in push-push configuration, includes an innovative linearization circuit able to provide enhanced linearity and sensitivity characteristics, and an output buffer for better isolation and power equalization. The MMIC VCO has been realized in HBT technology with the HB20M process provided by UMS Foundry. The synthesized frequency spans from 10.52 GHz to 12.53 GHz with a tuning range of about the 16%; sensitivity has an average value of 200 MHz/V, while the phase noise at 100kHz of frequency offset from the carrier at 11.7GHz is -98.5dBc/Hz.