A Solution for Minimizing Phase Noise in Low-Power Resonator-Based Oscillators

Studies have shown that topological differences can result in significant differences in phase noise of oscillators under other-wise identical conditions. This work investigates a consequent problem: how to minimize phase noise in an oscillator with a given resonator and a given amount of DC power consumption. An optimal solution is presented along with a proposed circuit topology which can provide up to about 10 dB improvement in phase noise over a widely used oscillator topology in integrated circuit designs.