WSA: Frequency Synthesizer Design — from Fundamentals to Advanced Techniques

Presentation Abstract
Frequency synthesizers are among the most critical blocks in wireless, wireline, and digital clocking applications. This workshop will cover both the fundamentals and the latest advances in frequency synthesis circuits and systems to efficiently generate LO signals with low phase noise, low spurious tones, and large modulation bandwidth. Prior-art techniques will be discussed in-depth, such as energy-efficient reference clocks, ultra-low phase noise voltage-controlled oscillators, digital PLL fundamentals, modern low-jitter fractional-N PLLs using both LC-oscillators and ring-oscillators. Special attention will also be given to pulling and spur mitigation techniques and PLL-based chirp generators for FMCW radar applications.