Analysis and design of a fully-integrated Colpitts oscillator operating at ultra-low-voltages

摘要

This paper presents an enhanced-swing Colpitts oscillator that operates from supply voltages below 4kT/q. The oscillation frequency, start-up condition, and amplitude of oscillation were analyzed. The condition for the minimum voltage gain, extended to the minimum supply voltage, required for operation of the Colpitts oscillator is derived. Measurement results obtained for a prototype integrated in the IBM 130 nm technology demonstrate the operation of the oscillator with 86 mV of supply voltage.