MEMS-based, computer systems, clock generation and oscillator circuits and LC-tank apparatus for use therein
US6972635B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03H2007/006
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
MEMS-based, computer system, clock generation and oscillator circuits and LC-tank apparatus for use therein are provided and which are fabricated using a CMOS-compatible process. A micromachined inductor (L) and a pair of varactors (C) are developed in metal layers on a silicon substrate to realize the high quality factor LC-tank apparatus. This micromachined LC-tank apparatus is incorporated with CMOS transistor circuitry in order to realize a digital, tunable, low phase jitter, and low power clock, or time base, for synchronous integrated circuits. The synthesized clock signal can be divided down with digital circuitry from several GHz to tens of MHz—a systemic approach that substantially improves stability as compared to the state of the art. Advanced circuit design techniques have been utilized to minimize power consumption and mitigate transistor flicker noise upconversion, thus enhancing clock stability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.