Interleaved voltage controlled oscillator
View Patent ↗An interleaved voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is disclosed. The VCO includes a ring circuit comprising a series connection of main logic inverter gates, a plurality of delay elements connected in parallel with a selected sequence of the main logic inverter gates, at least one temperature compensation circuit comprising a logic inverter gate in series connection with one or more field effect transistors, the field effect transistor responsive to a compensating voltage input that is proportional to temperature, and an electronic circuit in signal communication with the at least one temperature compensation circuit and configured to provide a voltage signal responsive to temperature. Each delay element includes a feedforward section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through feedforward elements responsive to one or more control voltages, and a proportional section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through at least one logic inverter gate.
1. An interleaved voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) comprising:
a ring circuit comprising a series connection of main logic inverter gates;
a plurality of delay elements connected in parallel with a selected sequence of the main logic inverter gates;
wherein each delay element comprises:
a feedforward section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through feedforward elements responsive to one or more control voltages; and
a proportional section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through at least one logic inverter gate;
at least one temperature compensation circuit comprising a logic inverter gate in series connection with one or more field effect transistors, the field effect transistor responsive to a compensating voltage input that is proportional to temperature;
an electronic circuit in signal communication with the at least one temperature compensation circuit and configured to provide a voltage signal responsive to temperature;
an amplifier in connection with the electronic circuit to amplify the voltage signal; and
a DC offset generator configured to adjust the voltage of the amplified voltage signal, thereby providing the compensating voltage input.
2. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the electronic circuit provides a voltage signal directly proportional to temperature.
3. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the temperature compensation circuit is in parallel connection to the delay element.
4. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the temperature compensation circuit is in parallel connection to at least one of the main logic inverter gates.
5. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the VCO comprises components manufactured with 65 nanometer (nm) technology employing a lithographic mode of manufacture.
6. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the electronic circuit is configured to provide a voltage change responsive to temperature of approximately 1000 parts per million per degree Celsius.
7. The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein:
the amplifier and DC offset generator are configured to provide the compensating voltage input that varies from about 0.6 volts (V) at 5 degrees Celsius to about 1.1V at 85 degrees Celsius.