An Algorithm for Estimating the Signal Frequency at the Output of a Channel with a Controlled Information Flow under Phase Noise Conditions

Research in the field of efficient frequency estimation algorithms is of great interest. The reason for this is the redistribution of the role of additive and phase noise in many modern radio-engineering applications. An example is the area of measuring radio devices, which usually operate at high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The estimation error is largely determined not by the broadband noise, but by the frequency and phase noise of the local oscillators of the receiving and transmitting devices. In particular, earlier works \\cite{Nikiforov} proposed an efficient computational algorithm for estimating the frequency of a quasi-harmonic signal based on the iterative calculation of the autocorrelation sequence (ACS). In \\cite{Volkov}, this algorithm was improved and its proximity to the Rao-Cramer boundary was shown (the sources of this noise are master oscillators and frequency synthesizers). Possibilities of frequency estimation in radio channels make it possible to significantly expand the functionality of the entire radio network. This can include, for example, the problem of adaptive distribution of information flows of a radio network. This also includes the tasks of synchronization and coherent signal processing. For these reasons, more research is needed on this algorithm, the calculation of theoretical boundaries and their comparison with the simulation results.

Optomechanical synchronization across multi-octave frequency spans

Experimental exploration of synchronization in scalable oscillator microsystems has unfolded a deeper understanding of networks, collective phenomena, and signal processing. Cavity optomechanical devices have played an important role in this scenario, with the perspective of bridging optical and radio frequencies through nonlinear classical and quantum synchronization concepts. In its simplest form, synchronization occurs when an oscillator is entrained by a signal with frequency nearby the oscillator’s tone, and becomes increasingly challenging as their frequency detuning increases. Here, we experimentally demonstrate entrainment of a silicon-nitride optomechanical oscillator driven up to the fourth harmonic of its 32 MHz fundamental frequency. Exploring this effect, we also experimentally demonstrate a purely optomechanical RF frequency divider, where we performed frequency division up to a 4:1 ratio, i.e., from 128 MHz to 32 MHz. Further developments could harness these effects towards frequency synthesizers, phase-sensitive amplification and nonlinear sensing.

Aluminum nitride nanophotonics for beyond-octave soliton microcomb generation and self-referencing

Frequency microcombs, alternative to mode-locked laser and fiber combs, enable miniature rulers of light for applications including precision metrology, molecular fingerprinting and exoplanet discoveries. To enable frequency ruling functions, microcombs must be stabilized by locking their carrier-envelope offset frequency. So far, the microcomb stabilization remains compounded by the elaborate optics external to the chip, thus evading its scaling benefit. To address this challenge, here we demonstrate a nanophotonic chip solution based on aluminum nitride thin films, which simultaneously offer optical Kerr nonlinearity for generating octave soliton combs and quadratic nonlinearity for enabling heterodyne detection of the offset frequency. The agile dispersion control of crystalline aluminum nitride photonics permits high-fidelity generation of solitons with features including 1.5-octave spectral span, dual dispersive waves, and sub-terahertz repetition rates down to 220 gigahertz. These attractive characteristics, aided by on-chip phase-matched aluminum nitride waveguides, allow the full determination of the offset frequency. Our proof-of-principle demonstration represents an important milestone towards fully integrated self-locked microcombs for portable optical atomic clocks and frequency synthesizers.

Implementation of types of VCO

A Voltage Controlled Divider (VCO) is a basic building block in most of the electronic systems. Phase-locked loop (PLL), tone synthesizers, Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), frequency synthesizers, etc make use of VCO’s to generate an oscillating frequency that can be decided with the help of components. Voltage Controlled Divider can be implemented for analog applications. The project proposes three types of VCO using Electric tool and LT Spice XVII tool. The three VCO’s that are implemented are CMOS Ring Oscillator, Colpitts Oscillator and Relaxation Oscillator. These circuits generate two oscillating frequencies that is decided by the circult components. Keywords: Voltage Controlled Divider (VCO), CMOS Ring Oscillator, Colpitts Oscillator, Relaxation Oscillator, oscillating frequency.

Current-mode techniques for UWB frequency synthesizers

This thesis deals with current-mode techniques for ultra-wide band applications. An overview of ultra-wide band (UWB) wireless communications is presented. Two standards for UWB data communications, namely direct-synthesis UWB (DS-UWB) and Multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) UWB are presented. MB-OFDM UWB devices must hop among 14 UWB channels within 9.5 ns, imposing stringent constraints on design of frequency synthesizers. A review of the state-of-the-art frequency synthesizers for MB-OFDM UWB applications is provided. Current-mode phase-locked loops with active inductors and active transformers employed in both loop filters and voltage-controlled oscillators are proposed and their performance in analyzed. Current-mode phase-locked loops decouple the PLL dynamic range from the scaling down of the supply voltage. An active-inductor VCO with both coarse and fine frequency adjustment, a hybrid VCO with a step-down passive transformer loaded with an active inductor, and a hybrid VCO with a step-down passive transformer with a varactor are proposed and their performances are analyzed. These VCOs obtain wide frequency tuning ranges without relying on switched back networks. To meet the timing constraint of UWB frequency synthesizers, Current-mode techniques are further developed for UWB frequency synthesizers. An active inductor with a bank of switched capacitors is proposed to provide fast locking. The bank of switched capacitors eliminates the frequency acquisition locking time of the frequency synthesizer, allowing 9.5 ns phase locking time. The proposed current-mode phase-locked loops, active-inductors oscillators and hybrid oscillators were designed and implemented in TSMC-0.18 μm and IBM-0.13 μm CMOS technologies.

Current-mode techniques for UWB frequency synthesizers

This thesis deals with current-mode techniques for ultra-wide band applications. An overview of ultra-wide band (UWB) wireless communications is presented. Two standards for UWB data communications, namely direct-synthesis UWB (DS-UWB) and Multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) UWB are presented. MB-OFDM UWB devices must hop among 14 UWB channels within 9.5 ns, imposing stringent constraints on design of frequency synthesizers. A review of the state-of-the-art frequency synthesizers for MB-OFDM UWB applications is provided. Current-mode phase-locked loops with active inductors and active transformers employed in both loop filters and voltage-controlled oscillators are proposed and their performance in analyzed. Current-mode phase-locked loops decouple the PLL dynamic range from the scaling down of the supply voltage. An active-inductor VCO with both coarse and fine frequency adjustment, a hybrid VCO with a step-down passive transformer loaded with an active inductor, and a hybrid VCO with a step-down passive transformer with a varactor are proposed and their performances are analyzed. These VCOs obtain wide frequency tuning ranges without relying on switched back networks. To meet the timing constraint of UWB frequency synthesizers, Current-mode techniques are further developed for UWB frequency synthesizers. An active inductor with a bank of switched capacitors is proposed to provide fast locking. The bank of switched capacitors eliminates the frequency acquisition locking time of the frequency synthesizer, allowing 9.5 ns phase locking time. The proposed current-mode phase-locked loops, active-inductors oscillators and hybrid oscillators were designed and implemented in TSMC-0.18 μm and IBM-0.13 μm CMOS technologies.

Optomechanical Synchronization across Multi-Octaves Frequency Spans

Experimental exploration of synchronization in scalable oscillator micro systems has unfolded a deeper understanding of networks, collective phenomena, and signal processing. Cavity optomechanical devices have played an important role in this scenario, with the perspective of bridging optical and radio frequencies through nonlinear classical and quantum synchronization concepts. In its simplest form, synchronization occurs when an oscillator is entrained by a signal nearby the oscillator's tone, and becomes increasingly challenging as the frequency detuning increases. Here, we experimentally demonstrate entrainment of a silicon-nitride optomechanical oscillator driven several octaves away from its 32 MHz fundamental frequency. Exploring this effect, we perform a 4:1 frequency division from 128 MHz to 32 MHz. Further developments could harness these effects towards frequency synthesizers, phase-sensitive amplification and nonlinear sensing.