SKYWORKS APN1005

APPLICATION NOTE
APN1005: A Balanced Wideband VCO
for Set-Top TV Tuner Applications
Introduction
VCO Model
Modern set-top TV DBS tuner systems require more channel
coverage, while maintaining competitive prices. This situation
creates tough design goals: to improve performance and simplify
design.
Figure 1 shows the VCO model built for open loop analysis in Libra
Series IV including the SMV1265-011 varactor model.
Balanced VCO configuration could be a competitive circuit
solution, since it provides the widest tuning range with practical
circuitry and layout. However, tuning margins would be further
improved by optimizing the varactor manufacturing process.
Skyworks has developed such a process to satisfy the most
ambitious wideband design goals.
In this publication, we will address the design of the balancedtype voltage control oscillator (VCO) based on the newly
developed varactor SMV1265-011 with the unique set of
capacitance tuning ratios and Q-quality.
The circuit schematic in Figure 2 shows a pair of transistors in a
single feedback loop, connected so that collector currents would
be 180° shifted (ideally). A pair of back-to-back connected
SMV1265-011 varactors is used, rather than a single one. This
allows lower capacitance at the high-voltage range, without
changing the tuning ratio. The reason is that, apart from package
capacitance, certain mounting fringing capacitances, though
small, may strongly affect higher frequency margins. The effects
of parasitic capacitances were summarized in the model as C4
and C3, valued 0.4 pF each. These values may vary depending on
the layout of the board. Varactor DC biasing is provided through
resistors R6 and R8, both 1 k, which may affect the phase noise,
but eliminate the need for inductive chokes. This minimizes
overall costs and the possibility of parasitic resonances — the
usual cause for frequency instability and spurs.
The phase corrector DC chokes, SRL1 and SRL2, were modeled
as lossless inductors at 33 nH since their losses are dominated
by the 30 Ω emitter biasing resistors. DC blocking series capacitances (CSER1 and CSER2) are modeled as an SRC network,
including associated parasitics. Their values were optimized to
10 pF providing smooth tuning over the design band.
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Figure 1. VCO Model, Including SMV1265-011 Varactor Model
Figure 2. Transistor Pair in Single Feedback Loop
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
The pseudo-resonator inductance is formed by microstrip transmission line TL2, which provides necessary circuit response at
high frequencies. This has little effect at the lower band due to
the resonator’s dominantly capacitive nature.
The function of transmission line TL1 is both feedback and
phase alignment — providing flat power response over the
tuning range.
Power output is supplied from the collectors of X1 or X2 through
the series connected resistance and DC blocking capacitance
SRC2 and SRC3.
DC biasing for both of the transistors is supplied through a resistive divider R1/R3/R2 .
The NEC NE68119 bipolar transistors were selected to best fit
performances. Note: The circuit is very sensitive to the transistor
choice (in terms of tuning range and stability) due to wide bandwidth design requirements.
In the Libra test bench shown in Figure 3 we defined an open
loop gain (Ku = VOUT/VIN) as the ratio of voltage phasors at the
input and output ports of an OSCTEST component. Defining the
oscillation point requires the balancing of input (loop) power to
provide zero gain for a zero loop phase shift. Once the oscillation
point is defined, the frequency and output power can be measured. Use of the OSCTEST2 component for the close loop
analysis is not recommended, since it may fail to converge in
some cases, and doesn’t allow clear insight into the understanding of VCO behavior. This property is considered an
advantage of modeling over a purely experimental study.
In the default bench shown in Figure 4 the variables used for
more convenient tuning during performance analysis and optimization are listed in a “variables and equations” component.
For the model of NEC NE68119 we used the Gumel Poon model
of Libra IV with the coefficients provided by CEL RF & Microwave
Semiconductors Catalogue,1997-98.
Figure 3. Libra Test Bench
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Figure 4. Default Bench
SMV1265-011 SPICE Model
Figure 5 shows a SPICE model for the SMV1265-011 varactor
diode, defined for the Libra IV environment, with a description of
the parameters employed.
Figure 5. SMV1265-011 Libra IV SPICE Model
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Parameter
Unit
Default
Saturation current (with N, determine the DC characteristics of the diode)
A
1e-14
RS
Series resistance
Ω
0
N
Emission coefficient (with IS, determines the DC characteristics of the diode)
-
1
TT
Transit time
S
0
CJO
Zero-bias junction capacitance (with VJ and M, defines nonlinear junction capacitance of the diode)
F
0
VJ
Junction potential (with VJ and M, defines nonlinear junction capacitance of the diode)
V
1
M
Grading coefficient (with VJ and M, defines nonlinear junction capacitance of the diode)
-
0.5
IS
Description
EG
Energy gap (with XTI, helps define the dependence of IS on temperature)
EV
1.11
XTI
Saturation current temperature exponent (with EG, helps define the dependence of IS on temperature)
-
3
KF
Flicker noise coefficient
-
0
AF
Flicker noise exponent
-
1
FC
Forward-bias depletion capacitance coefficient
-
0.5
BV
Reverse breakdown voltage
V
Infinity
1e-3
IBV
Current at reverse breakdown voltage
A
ISR
Recombination current parameter
A
0
NR
Emission coefficient for ISR
-
2
IKF
High injection knee current
A
Infinity
NBV
Reverse breakdown ideality factor
-
1
IBVL
Low-level reverse breakdown knee current
A
0
NBVL
Low-level reverse breakdown ideality factor
-
1
TNOM
Nominal ambient temperature at which these model parameters were derived
°C
27
FFE
Flicker noise frequency exponent
1
Table 1. Silicon Varactor Diode Default Values
Table 1 describes the model parameters. It shows default values
appropriate for silicon varactor diodes which may be used by the
Libra IV simulator.
According to the SPICE model in Figure 4, the varactor capacitance (CV) is a function of the applied reverse DC voltage (VR) and
may be expressed as follows:
CV =
CJO
( 1 + VR )
M
+ CP
VJ
This equation is a mathematical expression of the capacitance
characteristic. The model is accurate for abrupt junction varactors
(SMV1400 series); however, the model is less accurate for hyperabrupt junction varactors because the coefficients are dependent
on the applied voltage. To make the equation fit the hyperabrupt
performances for the SMV1265-011, a piece-wise approach was
employed. Here the coefficients (VJ, M, CJO, and CP) are made
piece-wise functions of the varactor DC voltage applied. Thus, the
whole range of the usable varactor voltages is segmented into a
number of subranges each with a unique set of the VJ, M, CJO,
and CP parameters as given in the Table 2.
Voltage Range
(V)
CJO
(pF)
M
VJ
(V)
CP
(pF)
0–2.5
22.5
2.0
4.00
0.00
2.5–6.5
21.0
25.0
68.00
0.00
6.5–11
20.0
7.3
14.00
0.90
11–up
20.0
1.8
1.85
0.56
Table 2. Varactor Voltages
These subranges are made to overlap each other. Thus, if a reasonable RF swing (one that is appropriate in a practical VCO
case) exceeds limits of the subrange, the CV function described
by the current subrange will still fit in the original curve.
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
1.0
100
2.4
0.8
10
0.6
0.4
1
0.2
Series Resistance (Ω)
Capacitance (pF)
Approximation
Measured
2.6
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
RS_PWL
1.4
0
0.1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Varactor Voltage (V)
Figure 6. SMV1265 Capacitance vs. Voltage
Figure 6 demonstrates the quality of the piece-wise fitting
approach.
Special consideration was given to the fit at the lowest capacitance range (high-voltage area) since it dramatically affects the
upper frequency limit of the VCO.
To incorporate this function into Libra, the pwl() built-in function
was used in the “variables” component of the schematic bench.
M = pwl (VVAR 0 2 2.5 2 2.500009 25 6.5 25 6.50009 7.3 11
7.3 11.0009 1.8 40 1.8)
VJ = pwl (VVAR 0 4 2.5 4 2.500009 68 6.5 68 6.50009 14 11
14 11.0009 1.85 40 1.85)
CP = pwl (VVAR 0 0 2.5 0 2.500009 0 6.5 0 6.50009 0.9 11
0.9 11.0009 0.56 40 0.56)
CJO = pwl (VVAR 0 22.5 2.5 22.5 2.500009 21 6.5 21 6.50009
20 11 20 11.0009 20 40 20)*1012
RS Measured
1.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
Figure 7. SMV1265 Resistance vs. Voltage
Since the epitaxial layer for this kind of hyperabrupt varactor has
relatively high resistivity, the series resistance is strongly dependent on the reverse voltage applied to varactor junction. The
value of series resistance (RS) measured at 500 MHz is shown in
Figure 7, with a piece-wise approximation of RS also given.
The piece-wise function may be used as follows:
RS = pwl (VVAR 0 2.4 3 2.4 4 2.3 5 2.2 6 2 7 1.85 8 1.76 9
1.7 10 1.65 11 1.61 12 1.5 40 1.5)
Note: The pwl() function in Libra IV is defined for the evaluation of
harmonic balance parameters rather than variables. Therefore,
although series resistance was defined as dependent on reverse
voltage, for harmonic balance it remains parametric and linear.
The same applies to capacitance, which remains the same as in
the original diode model, but its coefficients (VJ, M, CJO, and CP)
become parametric functions of the reverse voltage.
Note: While CP is given in picofarads, CGO is given in farads to
comply with the default nominations in Libra. (For more details
regarding pwl() function see Circuit Network Items, Variables and
Equations, Series IV Manuals, p. 19–15).
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30
Varactor Voltage (V)
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
VCO Design and Performance
Figure 8 shows the VCO schematic.
C6
1000
VCC1
5-8 V
R5
820
C5
100
R12
50
A
R10
2.4k
R3
120
R6
820
R4
120
R8
1k
V2
NE68119
L1
T1
16 x 0.4 mm
R1
R2
L2
33
33 33 nH
C4
100
R7
51
V1
NE68119
33 nH
C2
10
C1
10
T2
15 x 0.7 mm
D2
D1
T3
SMV1265
3 X 0.7 mm
SMV1265
R11
1000
C3
100
R9
1k
VVAR1
Figure 8. VCO Schematic
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Table 3 shows the bill of materials used.
Designators
Comment
Figure 9 shows the PCB layout. The board is made of standard FR4
material 30 mils thick.
Footprint
C1
0603AU100JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C2
0603AU100JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C3
0603AU101JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C4
0603AU101JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C5
0603AU101JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C6
0603AU102JAT9 (AVX)
0603
C6
0603AU102JAT9 (AVX)
0603
D1
SMV1265-011 (Skyworks)
SOD-323
D2
SMV1265-011 (Skyworks)
SOD-323
L1
LL1608-F33NJ (TOKO)
0603
L2
LL1608-F33NJ (TOKO)
0603
R1
CR10-330J-T (AVX)
0603
R10
CR10-242J-T (AVX)
0603
R11
CR10-102J-T (AVX)
0603
R2
CR10-330J-T (AVX)
0603
R3
CR10-121J-T (AVX)
0603
R4
CR10-121J-T (AVX)
0603
R5
CR10-821J-T (AVX)
0603
R6
CR10-821J-T (AVX)
0603
R7
CR10-510J-T (AVX)
0603
R8
CR10-102J-T (AVX)
0603
R9
CR10-102J-T (AVX)
0603
V1
NE68119 (NEC)
SOT-416
V2
NE68119 (NEC)
SOT-416
The results measured with the circuit in Figure 8, as well as the
simulated results obtained with the model in Figure 9, are shown
in Figures 10 and 11.
Note: The simulated tuning curve in Figure 10 agrees with measured data, which proves the effectiveness of the above piece-wise
approximation technique.
Note: In the middle of the tuning range there is disagreement
between our model and the measured results. This could be attributed to the imperfection of the model, which is highly sensitive to
the way different parasitic effects are treated. The other problem of
modeling this oscillator case was the convergence of the harmonic
balance. To facilitate convergence in this case, we kept the number
of harmonics to at least five. The sweeping frequency range is recommended to keep as close to the oscillation point as possible —
especially when analyzing the middle band area.
In Figure 11, the power response modeled at 7 V was very close to
the measurement. Higher measured power is attributed to the analyzer calibration (the calibration error of the analyzer is known to be
within a couple of decibels). The general trend of the simulated
results reflects the real VCO response almost exactly, which clearly
demonstrates the model’s effectiveness.
Table 3. Bill of Materials
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Figure 9. PCB Layout
8
Measured
2.2
6
Measured @ 7 V
4
1.8
Power (dBm)
Frequency (GHz)
2.0
Simulations
1.6
1.4
1.2
2
Simulated @ 7 V
0
-2
-4
1.0
Measured @ 5 V
-6
0.8
-8
0
5
10
15
20
Varactor Voltage (V)
Figure 10. Frequency Tuning
25
30
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Varactor Voltage (V)
Figure 11. Power Response
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
Table 4 shows the measurement data and shows a useful tuning range
of 0.84–2.23 GHz for the applied varactor voltage from 1–27 V.
VVAR
Frequency
POUT @ 7 V
POUT @ 5 V
(V)
(GHz)
(dBm)
(dBm)
0
0.788
3.5
-8.3
1
0.842
3.7
-7.6
2
0.91
3.7
-6.1
4
1.144
4.8
-2.8
6
1.492
6.5
1
1.8
8
1.714
6.4
10
1.848
6
1.2
12
1.946
5.2
-0.1
14
2.016
4.8
-0.9
16
2.066
4.4
-1.5
18
2.106
4.3
-1.8
20
2.134
4.4
-2.4
25
2.198
3.7
-3.3
28
2.225
3.5
-3.7
30
2.238
3.4
-4
List of Available Documents
1. Balanced Wideband VCO Simulation Project Files for Libra IV.
2. Balanced Wideband VCO Circuit Schematic and PCB Layout for
Protel EDA Client, 1998 version.
3. Balanced Wideband VCO Gerber Photo-plot Files
4. Detailed measurement and simulation data.
For the availability of the listed materials, please call our applications engineering staff.
© Skyworks Solutions, Inc., 1999. All rights reserved.
Table 4. Tabulated Measurement Data
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APPLICATION NOTE • APN1005
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