Pushing the Boundaries of Purity: Techniques for Ultra-Low Phase Noise CMOS Oscillators

This talk delves into the pursuit of spectral purity in CMOS oscillators, a pivotal challenge for next-generation communication, radar, and sensing systems. We will begin by examining the fundamental phase noise limits that constrain traditional designs. The presentation will then survey the state-of-the-art circuit techniques devised to overcome these barriers, with a dedicated focus on two innovative architectures: multi-core parallel-resonance VCOs that enhance power efficiency and amplitude, and the emerging paradigm of series-resonance LC VCOs, which offer a distinct path to lowering phase noise. The talk will conclude with a comparative analysis of their potential and implementation trade-offs.