VCO Behavioral Modeling

This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of different aspects of oscillator theory, design and practical implementation. Topics include the principles of oscillator design, including start-up and steady-state operation conditions, simplified circuit analysis and basic equations using bipolar and field-effect transistors and the theories required to design low phase noise oscillators with predictions of the optimum conditions for minimum phase noise. The effect of flicker noise and four techniques currently available for flicker noise reduction will then be described. Wideband voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) are used in a variety of RF and microwave systems. The basic concepts of their circuit design and specific circuit solutions using lumped elements and transmission lines to improve the frequency tuning characteristics are described. A special topic will focus on accurate VCO behavioural modelling based on the Volterra-series approach with possible implementation in the system-level simulation tools. Finally, numerous practical examples of RF and microwave oscillators including VCOs based on MOSFET, MESFET, BJT and HBT technologies are given