US 12,301,168 B2
Frequency control in a multi-mode VCO
Bodhisatwa Sadhu, Peekskill, NY (US); Herschel Akiba Ainspan, New Hempstead, NY (US); Zheng Xu, Wappingers Falls, NY (US); Armagan Dascurcu, New York, NY (US); and Gary Kurtzman, Lago Vista, TX (US)
Assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, Armonk, NY (US)
Filed by INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, Armonk, NY (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/301,200.
Prior Publication US 2024/0348257 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. H03B 5/12 (2006.01)
CPC H03B 5/1296 (2013.01) [H03B 5/1228 (2013.01); H03B 5/124 (2013.01); H03B 5/1256 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) comprising:
a cross-coupled transconductance cell;
a transformer comprising a primary coil and at least one secondary coil, wherein the primary coil is connected to the cross-coupled transconductance cell;
a primary coil varactor connected to the cross-coupled transconductance cell in parallel to the primary coil;
a variable inductive tuning component connected to the at least one secondary coil; and
a mode switch connected to the at least one secondary coil and configured to select a frequency mode of operation of the VCO by engaging or disengaging the variable inductive tuning component from operation with the primary coil varactor to generate oscillation at a center frequency, wherein the mode switch provides a ground voltage at an end of the at least one secondary coil, when the mode switch is ON.