Voltage controlled oscillator module with ball grid array resonator

• US 20080116981A1
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Knecht, Thomas A., Reeser, Glen, Das Neves, Elisio C., Jacobson, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,646,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 331/17
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 2200/0008 Colpitts oscillator
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 2200/0034 including a buffer amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 2200/004 including a variable capacitance, e.g. a varicap, a varactor or a variable capacitance of a diode or transistor
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1847 the active element in the amplifier being a semiconductor device
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0243 Printed circuits associated with mounted high frequency components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09181 Notches in edge pads
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10068 Non-printed resonator
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10734 Ball grid array [BGA]; Bump grid array
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/403 Edge contacts; Windows or holes in the substrate having plural connections on the walls thereof H05K3/4092 takes precedence

Abstract

A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) assembly and module incorporating a ball grid array resonator as part of the tank circuit of the voltage controlled oscillator. The VCO module preferably incorporates at least an oscillator circuit, the tank circuit, and an output buffer stage circuit all defined by a plurality of interconnected electrical/electronic components including the ball grid array resonator which are mounted to a printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the oscillator assembly also includes a phase-locked loop circuit defined at least in part by an integrated circuit mounted to the printed circuit board.

Claims

1. An oscillator assembly comprising:

a circuit board;

a voltage controlled oscillator defined on the circuit board;

a tank circuit defined on the circuit board and defining at least a portion of the voltage controlled oscillator; and

a ball grid array resonator mounted to the circuit board and defining a portion of the tank circuit.

2. The oscillator assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lid adapted to engage and cover the circuit board.

3. The oscillator assembly of claim 1 further comprising a buffer circuit defined on the circuit board.

4. The oscillator assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank circuit includes first and second varactors and first and second capacitors mounted to the circuit board, the first varactor being positioned in series with the ball grid array resonator and in parallel with the second varactor and the second capacitor, the second capacitor being positioned in series between the first and second varactors.

5. The oscillator assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank circuit includes first and second capacitors and a varactor mounted to the circuit board, said first capacitor being positioned in series with the ball grid array resonator and the varactor being positioned in parallel with the first capacitor and the resonator, the second capacitor being positioned in series between the varactor and the first capacitor.

6. The oscillator assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank circuit includes a varactor mounted to the circuit board which is positioned in series with the ball grid array resonator and a capacitor also mounted to the circuit board which is positioned in parallel with both the varactor and the ball grid array resonator.

7. The oscillator assembly of claim 1, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator is defined by a Colpitts oscillator circuit defined on the circuit board.

8. The oscillator assembly of claim 1 further comprising a phase-locked loop circuit defined on the circuit board and electrically connected to the voltage controlled oscillator and the tank circuit.

9. The oscillator assembly of claim 8, wherein the phase-locked loop circuit includes a loop filter.

10. An oscillator assembly comprising:

a circuit board;

a voltage controlled oscillator defined on the circuit board;

a phase-locked loop circuit defined on the circuit board;

a tank circuit defined on the circuit board and defining at least a portion of the voltage controlled oscillator; and

a ball grid array resonator mounted to the circuit board and defining a portion of the tank circuit.

11. The oscillator assembly of claim 10 further comprising a lid adapted to engage and cover the circuit board.

12. The oscillator assembly of claim 10 further comprising a buffer circuit defined on the circuit board.

13. The oscillator assembly of claim 12 further comprising first and second buffer circuits defined on the circuit board.

14. The oscillator assembly of claim 10, wherein the tank circuit includes a varactor and a capacitor mounted to the circuit board, the varactor being connected in series with the ball grid array resonator and in parallel with the capacitor.

15. The oscillator assembly of claim 10, wherein the phase-locked loop circuit is contained within an integrated circuit that is mounted to the circuit board.

16. The oscillator assembly of claim 10, wherein the phase-locked loop circuit includes a loop filter.

17. The oscillator assembly of claim 10, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator is a Colpitts type circuit defined on the circuit board.