Techniques for co-tuning of inductance (L) and capacitance (C) in a VNCAP-based LC tank oscillator are provided. In one aspect, an LC tank oscillator includes: a capacitor including at least two metal layers, each metal layer having metal fingers that are interdigitated, wherein an orientation of the metal fingers alternates amongst the at least two metal layers; and an inductor on the capacitor. Inter-layer vias can be present interconnecting the at least two metal layers creating conductive loops between the metal fingers, wherein an arrangement of the inter-layer vias in an area between the at least two metal layers is configured to co-tune both inductance and capacitance in the LC tank oscillator. A method of operating an LC tank oscillator and a method of co-tuning inductance and capacitance in an LC tank oscillator are also provided.

Techniques for co-tuning of inductance (L) and capacitance (C) in a VNCAP-based LC tank oscillator are provided. In one aspect, an LC tank oscillator includes: a capacitor including at least two metal layers, each metal layer having metal fingers that are interdigitated, wherein an orientation of the metal fingers alternates amongst the at least two metal layers; and an inductor on the capacitor. Inter-layer vias can be present interconnecting the at least two metal layers creating conductive loops between the metal fingers, wherein an arrangement of the inter-layer vias in an area between the at least two metal layers is configured to co-tune both inductance and capacitance in the LC tank oscillator. A method of operating an LC tank oscillator and a method of co-tuning inductance and capacitance in an LC tank oscillator are also provided.

A clock generator comprise a delta-sigma modulation, DSM, for generating a division control signal and a phase control signal, an oscillator, for generating an oscillation signal with a first frequency, an adjustable frequency divider, for performing a division operation on the oscillation signal according to the division control signal, to generate a first division signal and a second division signal with a second frequency, and a phase interpolator, PI, for performing a phase interpolation operation on the first and second division signals according to the phase control signal, to generate an output signal with an output frequency, wherein the first frequency is greater than the second frequency.

A clock generator comprise a delta-sigma modulation, DSM, for generating a division control signal and a phase control signal, an oscillator, for generating an oscillation signal with a first frequency, an adjustable frequency divider, for performing a division operation on the oscillation signal according to the division control signal, to generate a first division signal and a second division signal with a second frequency, and a phase interpolator, PI, for performing a phase interpolation operation on the first and second division signals according to the phase control signal, to generate an output signal with an output frequency, wherein the first frequency is greater than the second frequency.

An oscillator for generating oscillation signals at two output terminals includes an inductor coupled between the two output terminals, a capacitor coupled between the two output terminals, two P-type transistors and two N-type transistors. Source electrodes of the two P-type transistors are coupled to a supply voltage, and gate electrodes of the two P-type transistors are coupled to the two output terminals, respectively. Source electrodes of the two N-type transistors are coupled to a supply voltage, gate electrodes of the two N-type transistors are coupled to the two output terminals, respectively, and drain electrodes of the two N-type transistors are coupled to drain electrodes of the two P-type transistors, respectively. In addition, the drain electrodes of the two N-type transistors are coupled to two internal nodes of the inductor.

Methods and systems are provided for calibrating voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). frequency control information, relating to output frequency of a VCO, which varies based on changes in operational conditions, may be determined. The frequency control information enables indicating the output frequency within a range of allowable values for control inputs and a range of expected values based on the operational conditions. For each control input setting, calibration control information for a calibration voltage associated with a control input, may be determined, based on the frequency control information, with respect to the operational conditions, to generate a constant output frequency. The operational conditions may be assessed, and a calibration voltage corresponding to the assessed operational conditions may be determined. The calibration voltage may be applied, and based on applying the calibration voltage, a tuning control input for tuning the constant output frequency may be determined and applied to the VCO.

Methods and systems are provided for calibrating voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). frequency control information, relating to output frequency of a VCO, which varies based on changes in operational conditions, may be determined. The frequency control information enables indicating the output frequency within a range of allowable values for control inputs and a range of expected values based on the operational conditions. For each control input setting, calibration control information for a calibration voltage associated with a control input, may be determined, based on the frequency control information, with respect to the operational conditions, to generate a constant output frequency. The operational conditions may be assessed, and a calibration voltage corresponding to the assessed operational conditions may be determined. The calibration voltage may be applied, and based on applying the calibration voltage, a tuning control input for tuning the constant output frequency may be determined and applied to the VCO.

Methods and systems for a distributed transmission line multiplexer for a multi-core multi-mode voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) may comprise a plurality of voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) arranged adjacent to each other, where each of the plurality of VCOs are operable to generate an output signal at a configurable frequency, an impedance matching circuit comprising a respective driver and impedance matching elements coupled to each of the plurality of VCOs, and an output device coupled to the impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching elements may include capacitors and inductors. Between each adjacent pair of the respective drivers coupled to each of the plurality of VCOs, the impedance matching elements may include two inductors coupled in series between the drivers and a capacitor coupled to ground and to a common node between the two inductors. Impedance values of the capacitors and inductors may be configurable.

A package on a die having a low resistive substrate, wherein the package comprises an inductor on low-k dielectric and a capacitor on high-k dielectric. The stacked arrangement having different dielectric materials may provide an inductor having a high Q-factor while still having a high capacitance density. In addition, moving the inductor from the die to the package and fabricating the high density capacitor on the package reduces the silicon area required permitting smaller RF/analog blocks on the chip.

A variable injection-strength injection-locked oscillator (ILO) is described. The variable injection-strength ILO can output an output clock signal based on an input clock signal. The variable injection-strength ILO can pause, restart, slow down, or speed up the output clock signal synchronously with respect to the input clock signal in response to receiving power mode information. Specifically, the variable injection-strength ILO can be operated under relatively strong injection when the input clock signal is paused, restarted, slowed down, or sped up.