How to select a Voltage Controlled Oscillator - VCO
It is important to understand the key parameters that are required to select a voltage controlled oscillator. everything RF lists 2148 vco’s from 11 manufacturers and lets engineers narrow down on this list by specification. Below is a brief description of the various parameters that can be used to select a vco.
Frequency (MHz): This is the output frequency range at which the vco (Voltage controlled Oscillator) operates.
Tuning Voltage (V): This is the voltage that is applied to voltage controlled oscillator to tune its output frequency range.
Tuning Sensitivity (MHz/V): This is the measure of change in the output frequency of the vco with respect to varying the tuning voltage.
Output Power (dbm): This is the RF output power that is delivered by the vco to a load.
Phase Noise (dBc/Hz): This is a measure of the clarity of the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator. The lower the phase noise of the vco the cleaner the signal will be. The phase noise is measured at various intervals, Standard ones being 1 kHz, 10 KHz, 100 KHz and 1 MHz.
Supply Voltage (V): This is the DC voltage required to set the bias point for the voltage controlled oscillator.
Operating Temperature (°C): This is the temperature range within which the VCO specification can be guaranteed.
Pulling (MHz): Pulling is the measurement of the drift in the output frequency due to load variation.
Pushing (MHz/V): Pushing is the measurement of the drift in the output frequency due to variations in the supply voltage.
