Abstract
A fully integrated Ku-band voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is presented in an InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology. To achieve the wide tuning range (TR), the VCO employs a Colpitts configuration, and the VCO simultaneously achieves high output power. The implemented VCO demonstrates an oscillation frequency range from 12.82 to 14.97 GHz, a frequency TR of 15.47%, an output power from 0.31 to 6.46 dBm, and a phase noise of −94.9 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from 13.9 GHz center frequency. The VCO consumes 52.75 mW from 5 V supply and occupies an area of 0.81 × 0.78 mm2. Finally, the figures-of-merit for VCOs is discussed.