PLL Random Jitter Estimation Using Different VCO Phase Noise Simulation Methodologies

Random jitter (RJ) is a significant noise component in PLL systems that use ring-based oscillators. In order to estimate RJ, accurate modeling of the VCO phase noise is essential. In this paper, the authors will present how the VCO phase noise they obtained from HSPICE RF and from the Impulse-Sensitivity Function (ISF) method compared to lab measurements, the limitations of the two methods and how these phase noise estimates can be used to obtain a prediction of RJ noise component in a PLL.