RF signal inductors in iUHD for voltage controlled oscillators in configurable RF integrated circuits

Abstract

The miniaturization of radio frequency wireless communications circuitry has resulted in a need for smaller inductors. This thesis presents designs of spiral inductors to be fabricated in Draper Laboratory's integrated Ultra High Density packaging process. The inductor designs are simulated using Ansoft's High Frequency Structure Simulator and the resulting inductor performance parameters are used to design a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) meeting 802.1 lb wireless specifications. The design demonstrates the importance of inductor quality factor in minimizing phase noise. It is also shown that further improvements can be made to RF integrated circuits by increasing the maximum load impedance seen by the VCO.