In this thesis, VCO phase noise improves using high Q inductor.
Compare with MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) and MCM (Multi Chip Module) VCO, which is using high Q inductor.
Low phase noise oscillator needs high Q inductor. But Q value of the inductor is very lower than capacitor Q value. So inductor Q value is limiting resonator Q value that is inductor Q value determines phase noise of the VCO. Using OPS substrate and BCB dielectric, Cu plating large Q value inductor fabricates. Using this inductor in MCM VCO improve phase noise.
VCO is designed using Knowledge*on InGaP/GaAs HBT foundary. Measurement result are following, MMIC VCO phase noise in -100.5dBc/Hz@100kHz and MCM VCO phase noise is -105.33dBc/Hz@100kHz.
OPS substrate is cheaper than GaAs substrate. So MCM VCO is chpeaper than MMIC VCO.