A 24–64 GHz Wideband Static CML Frequency Divider in a 90-nm CMOS Technology

This letter presents a divide-by-2 static current-mode logic (CML) frequency divider with inductive peaking. While inductive peaking frequency dividers feature a high-Q resonator that limits the operation range, a frequency tuning technique has been implemented to extend the operation range. An nMOS transistor pair has been employed at the source of the cross-coupled pair to adjust the current flow and output node capacitance, thereby modifying the frequency divider’s operation range. Fabricated in 90-nm CMOS, the frequency divider occupies a core chip area of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$170\times 240~\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>m2 and achieves an operation range of 90.9% (24–64 GHz). It dissipates a maximum dc power of 30.1 mW from a 1.2 V supply voltage.