VCO Trims Phase Noise From 902 To 928 MHz

May 13, 2009

Model ZRO0915C2LF from Z-Communications is a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) designed for RFID and digital communications systems operating from 902 to 928 MHz. Supplied in a surface-mount module, the low-noise VCO features typical phase noise of -128 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier and -148 dBc/Hz offset 100 kHz from the carrier. It operates with tuning voltages of 0 to 11 V and provides typical output power of +5 dBm across the tuning range. Harmonics are typically -35 dBc, frequency pushing is 0.2 MHz/V worst case, and frequency pulling is 1.5 MHz into a 12-dB return loss load. The VCO is designed for a +10 VDC supply and 23 to 28 mA current.

About the Author

Jack Browne

Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.