A K-band Wide-Tuning-Range Low-Phase-Noise Digitally Controlled Oscillator in 22 nm FD-SOI for Automotive Radars

This paper presents a K-band differential LC digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) for long-range and short-range automotive radars. Wideband and low phase noise are therefore our main concerns. The novel back-gate-based fine-tuning structure has a fine frequency resolution of 2.1 MHz. The DCO covers the frequency band from 18.4 to 24.3 GHz, corresponding to a wide frequency tuning range (FTR) of 27.6 % The post-layout simulation results show that this DCO achieves a best-in-class phase noise (PN) lower than -110 dBc/Hz over the entire frequency range at 1 MHz frequency offset and a figure of merit considering FTR $(\mathbf{FoM}_{\mathbf{T}})$ of -196 dBc/Hz. It is implemented in an advanced 22 nm FD-SOI technology and consumes 14.4 mW from a 1.2 V supply voltage.