Noise in radio frequency circuits: analysis and design implications

This paper provides an overview of noise analysis techniques and noise models for radio frequency (RF) circuits and the implication of noise constraints on RF circuit design. In order to accurately account for the circuit nonlinearities, the circuit noise sources are modelled as stochastic processes and the circuit equations are solved with these stochastic processes as inputs, using techniques from stochastic calculus. Noise analysis and modelling techniques are presented for both autonomous (oscillatory) and non-autonomous circuits. Using these models, noise analysis of a phase feedback system (phase-locked loop) is also presented. Additionally, design techniques for minimizing noise in these circuits which are based on these analyses are also presented.

[1]  J. F. Parker,et al.  A 1.6-GHz CMOS PLL with on-chip loop filter , 1998, IEEE J. Solid State Circuits.

[2]  Robert G. Meyer,et al.  A systematic approach to the analysis of noise in mixers , 1993 .

[3]  Beomsup Kim,et al.  Optimal loop bandwidth design for low noise PLL applications , 1997, Proceedings of ASP-DAC '97: Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference.

[4]  D. Leeson.  A simple model of feedback oscillator noise spectrum , 1966 .

[5]  Jacques C. Rudell,et al.  A 1.9-GHz wide-band IF double conversion CMOS receiver for cordless telephone applications , 1997, IEEE J. Solid State Circuits.

[6]  Ali Hajimiri,et al.  A general theory of phase noise in electrical oscillators , 1998 .

[7]  M. Steer,et al.  Nonlinear circuit analysis using the method of harmonic balance—A review of the art. Part I. Introductory concepts , 1991 .

[8]  T. Aprille,et al.  Steady-state analysis of nonlinear circuits with periodic inputs , 1972 .

[9]  Hiroshi Tanimoto,et al.  Noise analysis method for nonlinear circuits with two frequency excitations using the computer , 1991 .

[10]  M. Prigent,et al.  A new approach to nonlinear analysis of noise behavior of synchronized oscillators and analog-frequency dividers , 1998 .

[11]  A. Mehrotra,et al.  Noise analysis of phase-locked loops , 2002 .

[12]  Alper Demir,et al.  Estimating noise in RF systems , 1998, ICCAD '98.

[13]  Amit Mehrotra,et al.  Simulation and Modelling Techniques for Noise in Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits , 1999 .

[14]  Michael B. Steer,et al.  Nonlinear circuit analysis using the method of harmonic balance—a review of the art. II. Advanced concepts , 1991 .

[15]  E. Hafner,et al.  The effects of noise in oscillators , 1966 .

[16]  P.R. Gray,et al.  A 1.4 GHz differential low-noise CMOS frequency synthesizer using a wideband PLL architecture , 2000, 2000 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference. Digest of Technical Papers (Cat. No.00CH37056).

[17]  Alper Demir,et al.  Estimating noise in RF systems , 1998, 1998 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design. Digest of Technical Papers (IEEE Cat. No.98CB36287).

[18]  A. Demir,et al.  Phase noise in oscillators: a unifying theory and numerical methods for characterization , 2000 .

[19]  Li Lin,et al.  Recent developments in high integration multi-standard CMOS transceivers for personal communication systems , 1998, Proceedings. 1998 International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design (IEEE Cat. No.98TH8379).

[20]  T. Aprille,et al.  A computer algorithm to determine the steady-state response of nonlinear oscillators , 1972 .

[21]  Kyoohyun Lim,et al.  Low noise clock synthesizer design using optimal bandwidth , 1998, ISCAS '98. Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (Cat. No.98CH36187).

[22]  Alberto L. Sangiovanni-Vincentelli,et al.  Noise analysis of non-autonomous radio frequency circuits , 1999, 1999 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design. Digest of Technical Papers (Cat. No.99CH37051).

[23]  Ulrich L. Rohde,et al.  Microwave and wireless synthesizers: theory and design , 1997 .

[24]  Behzad Razavi,et al.  A study of phase noise in CMOS oscillators , 1996, IEEE J. Solid State Circuits.

[25]  Beomsup Kim,et al.  Analysis of timing jitter in CMOS ring oscillators , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems - ISCAS '94.

[26]  C. W. Gardiner,et al.  Handbook of stochastic methods - for physics, chemistry and the natural sciences, Second Edition , 1986, Springer series in synergetics.

[27]  Peter Feldmann,et al.  Cyclostationary noise analysis of large RF circuits with multi-tone excitations , 1997, Proceedings of CICC 97 - Custom Integrated Circuits Conference.

[28]  G. J. Coram,et al.  Nonlinear device noise models: Satisfying the thermodynamic requirements , 1999 .

[29]  Rainer Laur,et al.  A novel time-frequency method for the simulation of the steady state of circuits driven by multi-tone signals , 1997, Proceedings of 1997 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems. Circuits and Systems in the Information Age ISCAS '97.

[30]  V. F. Kroupa,et al.  Phase-lock loops of higher orders , 1989 .

[31]  H. G. Brachtendorf,et al.  Numerical steady state analysis of electronic circuits driven by multi-tone signals , 1996 .

[32]  Jacob K. White,et al.  Efficient Steady-State Analysis Based on Matrix-Free Krylov-Subspace Methods , 1995, 32nd Design Automation Conference.

[33]  Alper Demir,et al.  Phase noise in oscillators: a unifying theory and numerical methods for characterisation , 1998, Proceedings 1998 Design and Automation Conference. 35th DAC. (Cat. No.98CH36175).

[34]  John A. McNeill.  Jitter in ring oscillators , 1997 .

[35]  Robert G. Meyer,et al.  A class AB monolithic mixer for 900-MHz applications , 1997 .

[36]  A. Hajimiri,et al.  Corrections to "A General Theory of Phase Noise in Electrical Oscillators" , 1998 .

[37]  Beomsup Kim,et al.  PLL/DLL system noise analysis for low jitter clock synthesizer design , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems - ISCAS '94.

[38]  Alper Demir,et al.  Tools and methodology for RF IC design , 1998, Proceedings 1998 Design and Automation Conference. 35th DAC. (Cat. No.98CH36175).

[39]  A. Abidi,et al.  Noise in relaxation oscillators , 1983 .

[40]  Jaijeet Roychowdhury,et al.  Cyclostationary noise analysis of large RF circuits with multitone excitations , 1998 .

[41]  Franco Mastri,et al.  General noise analysis of nonlinear microwave circuits by the piecewise harmonic-balance technique , 1994 .

[42]  Jaijeet S. Roychowdhury.  Efficient methods for simulating highly nonlinear multi-rate circuits , 1997, DAC.