A 209-233 GHz frequency source in 90 nm CMOS technology

This letter presents a J-band signal source based on a third harmonic generation of a differential Colpitts voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The source covers a frequency range from 209.3 to 233.3 GHz, which corresponds to a 10.8% total tuning range. This is the widest tuning range in a J-band source signal reported to date. The VCO was fabricated using a 90 nm Mixed-Mode/RF CMOS process; it provides -6.2 dBm output power at 228 GHz, while consuming 48 mA from a 1.8 V supply, and an estimated phase noise of -90.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier.