Student project: Quadrature Wideband PLL for Multi-Standard RF Transceivers

Next-generation wireless transceivers (TRX) have been posing new challenges for local-oscillator (LO) frequency generation. Frequency synthesizers (PLLs) play an important role in TRXs for high-spectral purity signal modulation and de-modulation. Wireless standards such as IR-UWB and 6G FR3 have defined very wide frequency bands. Also, in a modern advanced wireless system on a chip (SoC), multiple wireless standards are supported. To cover such wide frequency bands, typically a large number of PLLs (including oscillators) are implemented in a SoC, which leads to complexity, and high design and silicon costs.

In this project, we will explore a single-oscillator PLL solution to cover a wide frequency range while achieving state-of-the-art low phase noise for multi-standard wireless applications. One major challenge is the design and implementation of the wideband voltage-or-digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO or VCO) with quadrature phases to support IQ modulation. Compared with a ring oscillator, an LC oscillator features excellently low phase noise by physics but typically has narrow tuning range and non-quadrature phases. Approaches to widen its tuning range as well as realizing quadrature phases are being explored and proposed, although some solutions still occupy relatively large area due to multiple inductors.

You will start from exploring the techniques for a wide-range quadrature LC oscillator and propose a solution. Then, you are highly encouraged to design a high-performance PLL with the proposed oscillator.

What you will do

You will be working on the design of a wideband DCO or VCO and incorporate this oscillator to a PLL. You will carry out the works with the following steps:

• Literature studies and discussions on state-of-the-art PLL/oscillator circuits
• Circuit design and implementation
• Layout and post-layout simulation
• In the case of a high-quality work, making design into a fabricated test chip (tape-out)

What we do for you

As the world-well-known research organization, we are the center of the excellence in nano-electronics design. In this internship project, you will be working on the cutting-edge research project, under the supervision of the excellent researchers with diverse backgrounds.  

Who you are

• A MSc student eligible to do an internship in the Netherlands,
• available for a period of 9-12 months,
• very interested in this project and eager to realize high-performance circuits,
• able to work independently and to expand knowledge in the field,
• with knowledges of CMOS circuits and feedback loops,
• understanding the principle of an analog or digital PLL,
• with good analytical skills (e. g. mathematical skills, logical thinking, etc.),
• with good CAD skills (e. g. MATLAB/Simulink, Verilog, Python, Cadence, etc.),
• with good written and verbal English skills.

Interested

Does this position sound like an interesting next step in your career at imec? Don’t hesitate to submit your application by clicking on ‘APPLY NOW’.
Should you have more questions about the job, you can contact us via jobs@imec.nl.

Please be advised that non-EU/EEA country students that are studying outside of the Netherlands, need to have a work-permit to be able to do an internship in the Netherlands.