Frequency synthesizer with on-chip inductor

A frequency synthesizer, for generating a synthesized signal comprising:

• an input interface configured to receive an input signal having a reference frequency;
• a phase locked loop (PLL) coupled to the input interface, having a fractional N configuration and comprises a voltage controlled oscillator;
• wherein:
• the voltage controlled oscillator is configured to generate the synthesized signal;
• the voltage controlled oscillator includes an on-chip inductor;
• the voltage controlled oscillator includes a plurality of phase synchronous oscillator stages;
• the plurality of phase synchronous oscillator stages are configured to oscillate synchronously with substantially similar phase;
• and
• the plurality of phase synchronous oscillator stages are inductively coupled wherein the inductive coupling is achieved using inductors having areas in which flux is contained that substantially coexist.

A frequency synthesizer for generating a synthesized signal, comprising:

• an input interface configured to receive an input signal having a reference frequency;
• a phase locked loop (PLL) coupled to the input interface, having a fractional N configuration and comprises a voltage controlled oscillator;
• and
• a programming interface for providing configuration parameters to the frequency synthesizer;
• wherein:
• the voltage controlled oscillator is configured to generate the synthesized signal;
• the voltage controlled oscillator includes an on-chip inductor;
• and
• the configuration parameters include parameters for configuring an output frequency of the frequency synthesizer and an output voltage of a regulator for supplying power to the voltage controlled oscillator.

A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating a synthesized al comprising:

• a plurality of cascaded stages;
• and
• an output interface coupled to the plurality of cascaded stages, configured to send an output signal;
• wherein the plurality of cascaded stages includes a plurality of LC tank oscillators, and at least one of the plurality of LC tank oscillators includes an on-chip inductor.