A 20–40 MHz low-power clock oscillator with open-loop frequency calibration and temperature compensation

In this paper, a 20–40 MHz low-power clock oscillator is presented to provide the frequency reference in data interface applications. The frequency source is referenced to a frequency-calibrated and temperature-compensated 2.5 GHz LC VCO that is implemented with a bondwire inductor. Class-C type VCO is adopted in order to improve the phase noise and reduce the current consumption. A full digital frequency calibration circuit is proposed to cover the wide output frequency range minimizing the frequency variation. External crystal oscillator (REF_CLK) is used only for the absolute frequency calibration at the initial programming stage and is not needed after the programming stage. On the other hand, temperature compensation is performed in an analogue way by controlling the varactor in the LC VCO. This chip is fabricated using 0.18-µm CMOS with the option of lateral PNP transistor. Lateral PNP transistors are used in the temperature compensation circuits. It can be implemented laterally in standard CMOS process. The power consumption is 4.8 mW from a 1.8 V supply. The accuracy of the frequency is ±58 ppm from −20°C to 80°C. The nominal phase noise at 1 MHz and period jitter is −122 dBc/Hz and 2 ps, respectively, when the output frequency is 25 MHz.

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