INVENTIVE

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware

PLL Methodology to Predict PLL
Behavior Accurately
Helene Thibieroz
Customer Support CIC

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Methodology to

Predict PLL Behavior Accurately
Introduction
Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Flow
and Non-Linear VCO Modeling
Advantages of this flow versus
other commercial approaches
Experimental results
Conclusion

September 17, 2007

Introduction

Phase locked loops are essential blocks in most analog mixedsignal and radio frequency (RF) applications today.
Because of the complexity of PLLs, the different time constants
involved (two widely-spaced time constants), and the fact that the
voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) frequency often oscillates
several order of magnitude faster than the reference frequency,
simulating PLLs at a transistor level presents multiple challenges
and is extremely time demanding.
Cadence SpectreRF Noise-aware PLL flow enables designers to
efficiently and accurately predict PLL response using a non-linear
model approach to capture the VCO dynamic behavior

September 17, 2007

Challenges of PLL Simulation

fref

Ref

PFD

CP

LPF

VCO

Div
N * fref

fref

Divide by N

PLL are stiff circuits

Contain two widely-spaced time constants
For wireless systems, the VCO often oscillates orders of
magnitude faster than the reference frequency

September 17, 2007

Out

Challenges of PLL Simulation

fref

Ref

PFD

CP

LPF

VCO

Out

Div
N * fref

fref

Divide by N

Behavioral model based simulation approaches accelerate

simulation speed, allowing designers to trade-off block
characteristics and PLL performance.
Cadence has developed a new non-linear model that allows
designers to accurately simulate the dynamic behavior of the VCO,
such as injection locking and power-supply interference.

September 17, 2007

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Methodology to

Predict PLL Behavior Accurately
Introduction
Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Flow
and Non-Linear VCO Modeling
Advantages of this flow versus other
commercial approaches
Experimental results
Conclusion

September 17, 2007

Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Simulation

ADE Test Bench
and Analysis

Compute

PSS-PNoise

Automatically
generate model
50

Automated flow for closed

loop PLL noise analysis
ADE test bench and
analysis for all PLL blocks
Automatic generation of
behavioral models
Spectre RF enhanced direct
integration
Closed Loop PLL Noise

V/ Hz

20 V/ Hz
10

V/ Hz

5 V/ Hz
V

PFD

VCO

CP

2 V/ Hz

1 V/ Hz

Verilog-A Transient Analysis

7

September 17, 2007

500 nV/ Hz
200 nV/ Hz
100 nV/ Hz
1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

1 MHz

10 MHz

100 MHz

Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Simulation Flow

1. In SpectreRF, a PLL circuit is partioned as a PFD block and a VCO
block since they have different work frequencies (Other blocks
such as CP, LPF and DIVIDER are being merged in those two
blocks).
2. SpectreRF solves the two test benches at different frequencies with
PSS (using either time domain and harmonic balance solvers) and
get the large signal operation points.
3. The Perturbation Projection Vector (PPV) is extracted in the VCO
test bench. Then a PLL test bench combines the PFD and VCO
macro models.
4. PLL behavior is then simulated with a TRAN analysis. Since PPV is
used to provide the phase changes, the output of VCO/DIVIDER is
tracing the reference frequency. Also noise information
(represented by Jitter) could be added and simulated with the same
test bench.

September 17, 2007

PLL Model Extraction Flow

Place the block to be tested into the testbench

schematic
Invoke ADE, setup simulation and enable model
extraction
Run PSS and PNOISE analysis
PSS calculates the PPV of the VCO and the
transfer function of the other blocks
PNOISE calculates the noise characteristics
of the block
Spectre automatically generates the model
Model is generated in two formats: CMI and
Verilog-A models

Place DUT
in Testbench
Start ADE and
Setup Test
Simulate
PSS/PNOISE
Automatically
Generate Model

September 17, 2007

PLL Simulation Flow

Create new PLL Testbench by placing the

extracted models in a PLL testbench
Start ADE and setup test simulation
Run Transient Analysis
Designers have an option to simulate
either with or without noise
Simulate without noise for PLL large signal
characteristics such as lock Time
Simulate with noise for phase noise and
jitter

Create PLL
Testbench
Start ADE and
Setup Test
Simulate
Transient
Analyze
Results

10

September 17, 2007

PLL testbench using the PPV model

(power supply
noise injection)

(custom veriloga)

(PPV model)
(LC tank
noise injection)

(schematic)
(utility for freq output and saving
periods.txt for phase noise/jitter
calculation)
Cell: pll_bench
11

September 17, 2007

Model Overview

12

Noise-Aware PLL flow supports extraction and modeling of Voltage

Controlled Oscillator, Phase/Frequency Detector, Charge Pump, Divider
VCO Model supports
Single-ended VCO outputs.
Sensitivity to Tuning Voltage, Positive Power Supply, and Negative
Power Supply.
Phase/Frequency Detector and Charge Pump
P/FD and CP are merged. .
Divider model
Divider noise is not extracted.
The divider is merged into the VCO for faster simulation.
Models are single-ended, voltage output levels
Two types of models are generated
CMI model will not be editable.
Verilog-A model will be editable and designers will be able to extend the
model themselves.

September 17, 2007

Non-Linear VCO Modeling

13

Why do we need nonlinear oscillator models?

Oscillators are fundamentally nonlinear systems.
Linear oscillator models often fail to accurately predict oscillation
amplitude and phase deviations under perturbations [1].

Nonlinear oscillator models can capture the nonlinear dynamics of

oscillators such as injection locking, power supply interference,
cycle slipping,

September 17, 2007

Non-Linear VCO Modeling

14

Two main approaches are available and provide the same

information:
Impulse Sensitivity Function ISF ([1], [2], [3]).
Perturbation Projection Vector PPV ([1], [4]).

The two models are tightly related by further observing the

definitions of ISF and PPV. ISF defines the phase sensitivity to state
variables. PPV represents the time sensitivity to the state variables
([1], [6]).

PPV is a more mathematical and precise method of describing the

VCO and is valid for all classes of oscillators contrarily to ISF ([5]).

September 17, 2007

Effect of Noise and Perturbation on an

Oscillator
New State
x (t)
Orbital
Deviation

Phase
Deviation
Steady-State
xs(t)

15

September 17, 2007

Non-linear VCO PPV Model

(t ) = v1 n(t )

16

(10)

(t) is the phase deviation due to perturbation of the VCO and

satisfies the nonlinear differential equation.
Owing to the PPV, T1(t), oscillator phase deviations due to
perturbations can be efficiently evaluated by solving the one
dimensional nonlinear differential equation (1).
The PPV relates the changes in the circuits nodes voltages or
currents to the VCO phase.

September 17, 2007

SpectreRFs PPV-based VCO Model

SpectreRFs PSS analysis calculates and outputs the PPV for an

oscillator in a file stored in the simulation results directory.

SpectreRF uses the information about a VCOs PPV to implement a

trajectory-piecewise PPV model for the VCO.

[6]

17

September 17, 2007

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Methodology to

Predict PLL Behavior Accurately
Introduction
Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Flow
and Non-Linear VCO Modeling
Advantages of SpectreRF flow
versus other approaches
Experimental results
Conclusion

18

September 17, 2007

Strengths of SpectreRF Noise aware PLL flow

Significantly decreases simulation time compared to a
traditional spice/fast spice transient approach:
Even simple PLLs can require 2-3weeks when simulating with
traditional SPICE simulators.
Complex PLLs can easily require 2-3 months.

Provides accuracy comparable to a traditional spice

transient approach:
The VCO dynamic behavior is fully captured by using a non
linear model based on PPV.

Supports both Integer-N and Fractional PLLs

19

September 17, 2007

Strengths of SpectreRF Noise aware PLL flow

20

Calibrates the VCO and PFD/CP model automatically

No behavioral modeling expertise required
Models automatically generated during SpectreRF noise
simulations
Provides an option to simulate either with or without noise: Simulate
without noise for PLL large signal characteristics (Lock Time) or with
noise for phase noise, jitter or injection pulling metrics.

Provides an option to look at PLL advanced metrics such as

injection pulling or power supply noise rejection through ADE direct
plot form.

Benefits from a tight SpectreRF integration using our Simulator

Kernel Interface (SKI) allowing better simulation performances.
September 17, 2007

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Methodology to

Predict PLL Behavior Accurately
Introduction
Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Flow
and Non-Linear VCO Modeling
Advantages of this flow versus other
commercial approaches
Experimental results
Conclusion

21

September 17, 2007

Experimental Results using Cadence RFkit database

22

The test circuit used was a N-Integer 2.4 GHz PLL including a PFD,
charge pump, VCO and divider available in Cadence RFKit ([8], [9]).

Using Cadence SpectreRF PLL flow (versions IC5141/MMSIM611),

the phase noise was extracted for the PFD and VCO blocks to
generate a phase-domain model for the entire PLL.

The closed-loop PLL behavior is then simulated using Spectre

TRAN analysis and compared with transistor level simulation.
Results generated on an IBM MPRO Linux 64 bits OS.

Additional metrics (Injection Pulling, power supply rejection) are

directly evaluated

September 17, 2007

PPV versus transistor-level Settling time

Experimental data extracted from PLL test circuit

available in Cadence RF kit ([8] and [9])

Simulation
results

Spectre
Transistor level
simulation

Spectre
PPV CMI/VerilogA
simulation

Simulation
Ratio

PPV Sampling*=1

46 hours
(165.08Ks)

10.8 s

15285

8 min 35s (515s)

320

PPV Sampling*=50

*Sampling refers to the number of sample points per period. To calculate the phase accurately, the transient time step is
bounded as ((1/(vco frequency)) / sample points per period
23

September 17, 2007

PLL Noise-Aware Flow Experimental results

Impact on Injection Pulling and Power Noise supply on a NInteger PLL performance [10]
Impact of Injection noise pulling on
phase noise:
Spurs in phase noise spectrum

Impact of Power Supply Noise

rejection on PLL phase noise:
No beat freq generated (injection
noise at 10M generates spur at 10M)
24

September 17, 2007

PLL Noise-Aware Flow Experimental results

Same measurements were performed on a fractional PLL [10].
Phase Noise was obtained using ADE Direct Plot form

Impact of Injection noise pulling:

Spurs in phase noise spectrum are
present after noise injection

25

September 17, 2007

Using Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Methodology to

Predict PLL Behavior Accurately
Introduction
Spectre RF Noise-Aware PLL Flow
and Non-Linear VCO Modeling
Advantages of this flow versus other
commercial approaches
Experimental results
Conclusion

26

September 17, 2007

Conclusions

27

Cadence SpectreRF Noise-aware PLL flow predicts the phase noise

of a PLL-based frequency synthesizer using a simulation method
that is both accurate and efficient.

For each block, the phase noise is extracted and applied to a

phase-domain model for the entire PLL.VCO phase noise is
accurately characterized using advanced perturbation technology
(PPV).

Strengths of this flow (automatic calibration, greatly improved

simulation time without loss of accuracy, direct plotting capability of
PLL metrics) were presented.

Compared to traditional approaches, experimental data confirmed a

significant speed-up with comparable accuracy.
September 17, 2007

References

28

[1] Emad Hegazi, Jacob Rael, Asad Abidi. The Designers Guide to
High-Purity Oscillators. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2005
[2] Hajimiri A, Lee T H. A General Theory of Phase Noise in
Electrical Oscillators. IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, 1998,
33(2): 179~194
[3] Lee T H, Hajimiri A. Oscillator Phase Noise: A Tutorial. IEEE
Journal of Solid-State Circuits,2002, 35(3): 326~336
[4] Demir A, Liu E W Y, and Sangiovanni-Vincentelli A L. Timedomain non Monte-Carlo noise simulation for nonlinear dynamic
circuits with arbitrary excitations. IEEE Transactions for ComputerAided Design, 1996, 15(5): 493~505
[5] Vanassche P, Gielen G and Sensen W. On the Difference
between Two Widely Publized Methods for Analyzing Oscillator
Phase Noise Behavior. Proceeding IEEE/ACM ICCAD 2002

September 17, 2007

References

29

[6] Automated oscillator macromodelling techniques for capturing

amplitude variations and injection locking , X. Lai, J.
Roychowdhury , ICCAD, 2004, 687-694
[7] TP-PPV: Piecewise Nonlinear, Time-Shifted Oscillator
Macromodel Extraction For Fast, Accurate PLL Simulation, X. Lai,
J. Roychowdhury , ICCAD, 2006
[8] Cadence RF kit user guide version 5.2.1, February 2007
[9] Cadence RFIC design methodology kit workshop, version 5.2.1,
February 2007
[10] SpectreRF Workshop Noise-Aware PLL Design Flow,
MMSIM6.2, August 2007

September 17, 2007

30

September 17, 2007