Distributed Injection-Locked Frequency Dividers

Distributed injection-locked frequency division is introduced as a method to increase the locking range beyond that of conventional injection-locked frequency dividers. It is analytically shown that continuous frequency division can be achieved over a frequency range that spans over multiples of the self-oscillation frequency of the core divider. Design techniques in millimeter-waves are discussed in detail. A proof-of-concept prototype, realized in a foundry 130-nm BiCMOS SiGe HBT technology, achieves a measured locking range of 35-44 and 41-59.5 GHz while consuming 3.8 mW from a 1.15-V supply.