Skip to main content

β: This English translation is in beta — the Traditional-Chinese original is the authoritative version.

Cheat Sheet

The most frequently used formulas, numbers and knobs of the whole site, condensed onto one page. Every entry links back to its full derivation page.

🖨 Print / save as PDF: press Cmd+P (macOS) or Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) in a desktop browser to save this page as a PDF or send it straight to a printer — this works on every page of the site, not just the cheat sheet. The navbar, sidebar, right-hand table of contents, and footer hide themselves automatically; the controls on interactive widgets (sliders, buttons) hide too, but whatever SVG plot a widget is currently showing stays in the printout. Collapsed <details> blocks (e.g. the worked solutions in exercises) do not auto-expand — open every ▸ in the browser first if you need them on paper.

Core formulas (all verified against the original PDFs)

TopicFormulaSource
ISF operational definitionΔϕ=Γ(ω0τ)qmaxΔq\Delta\phi=\dfrac{\Gamma(\omega_0\tau)}{q_{max}}\Delta q[P1] Eq.(10)(11) → impulse_to_phase_shift
LTV phase responseϕ(t)=1qmaxtΓ(ω0τ)in(τ)dτ\phi(t)=\dfrac{1}{q_{max}}\displaystyle\int_{-\infty}^{t}\Gamma(\omega_0\tau)\,i_n(\tau)\,d\tau[P1] Eq.(11) → convolution
ISF FourierΓ=c02+ncncos(nω0τ+θn)\Gamma=\dfrac{c_0}{2}+\sum_n c_n\cos(n\omega_0\tau+\theta_n)[P1] Eq.(12) → fourier
Parseval / rmsn=0cn2=2Γrms2\sum_{n=0}^\infty c_n^2=2\Gamma_{rms}^2[P1] Eq.(20) → rms_isf
White noise 1/f²L=10log10 ⁣(Γrms2qmax2in2/Δf4Δω2)\mathcal{L}=10\log_{10}\!\Big(\dfrac{\Gamma_{rms}^2}{q_{max}^2}\dfrac{\overline{i_n^2}/\Delta f}{4\,\Delta\omega^2}\Big)[P1] Eq.(21) → white_noise
Flicker 1/f³L=10log10 ⁣(c02qmax2in2/Δf8Δω2ω1/fΔω)\mathcal{L}=10\log_{10}\!\Big(\dfrac{c_0^2}{q_{max}^2}\dfrac{\overline{i_n^2}/\Delta f}{8\,\Delta\omega^2}\dfrac{\omega_{1/f}}{\Delta\omega}\Big)[P1] Eq.(23) → flicker
1/f³ cornerΔω1/f3=ω1/fc022Γrms2\Delta\omega_{1/f^3}=\omega_{1/f}\dfrac{c_0^2}{2\Gamma_{rms}^2}[P1] Eq.(24)
SSB↔PSDL(Δf)12Sϕ(Δf)\mathcal{L}(\Delta f)\approx\tfrac12 S_\phi(\Delta f)psd
phase→timeΔt=Δϕ2πf0\Delta t=\dfrac{\Delta\phi}{2\pi f_0}standard
rms jitterσt=12πf0f1f2Sϕdf\sigma_t=\dfrac{1}{2\pi f_0}\sqrt{\displaystyle\int_{f_1}^{f_2}S_\phi\,df}serdes
Accumulated jitterσΔt=κΔt\sigma_{\Delta t}=\kappa\sqrt{\Delta t}, κ=Γrmsqmax12in2Δf\kappa=\dfrac{\Gamma_{rms}}{q_{max}}\sqrt{\tfrac12\tfrac{\overline{i_n^2}}{\Delta f}}[P2] Eq.(8)(12)
Ring frequencyf0=12NτDf_0=\dfrac{1}{2N\tau_D}[P2] Eq.(15)
Ring Γrms\Gamma_{rms}Γrms=2π23η3  1N1.5ΓrmsN3/2\Gamma_{rms}=\sqrt{\dfrac{2\pi^2}{3\eta^3}}\;\dfrac{1}{N^{1.5}}\Rightarrow\Gamma_{rms}\propto N^{-3/2} (at η=0.75\eta=0.75, 4/N1.5\approx4/N^{1.5}, the solid line in [P2] Fig.8; the radical covers only the constant)[P2] Eq.(16)
Ring FOML=83ηkTPVDDVchar(f0Δf)2\mathcal{L}=\dfrac{8}{3\eta}\dfrac{kT}{P}\dfrac{V_{DD}}{V_{char}}\Big(\dfrac{f_0}{\Delta f}\Big)^2 (no NN!)[P2] Eq.(23)
Generalized Adlerdθdt=(ω0ωinj)+Ω(θ)\dfrac{d\theta}{dt}=(\omega_0-\omega_{inj})+\Omega(\theta), Ω=Γ~iinj\Omega=\langle\tilde\Gamma\,i_{inj}\rangle[P3] Eq.(30)(33)
APF / amplitude decayτ0=2Qωosc\tau_0=\dfrac{2Q}{\omega_{osc}}, Λ~1=τ0qmax0°\tilde\Lambda_1=\dfrac{\tau_0}{q_{max}}\angle0° (in quadrature with the ISF)[P4] Eq.(25)(26)

Canonical numbers (consistent site-wide)

ExampleSetupResult
A: impulse→timeqmax=1q_{max}=1 pC, Δq=1\Delta q=1 fC, Γ=0.5\Gamma=0.5, f0=5f_0=5 GHzΔϕ=5×104\Delta\phi=5\times10^{-4} rad, Δt=15.9\Delta t=15.9 fs
B: white-noise L\mathcal{L}Γrms=0.5\Gamma_{rms}=0.5, qmax=1q_{max}=1 pC, Si=1024S_i=10^{-24} A²/Hz, Δf=1\Delta f=1 MHzL=148\mathcal{L}=-148 dBc/Hz
C: jitter integralL(1MHz)=100\mathcal{L}(1\text{MHz})=-100 dBc/Hz, 1/f², 1→100 MHz, 5 GHzσt=447.9\sigma_t=447.9 fs
Ring FOMγ=2/3\gamma=2/3, VDD/Vchar=3V_{DD}/V_{char}=3, P=1P=1 mW, others as aboveL91\mathcal{L}\approx-91 dBc/Hz

Want to sweep the parameters yourself? Use the interactive calculator.

Conversion anchors at 5 GHz

  • 11 mrad 32\approx 32 fs; 11 rad 31.8\approx 31.8 ps; period =200=200 ps.
  • dBc/Hz → linear: 10L/1010^{\mathcal{L}/10}; Sϕ=2×S_\phi=2\times linear.
  • 2×qmax2\times q_{max} or 12Γrms\tfrac12\Gamma_{rms}L\mathcal{L} drops by 6 dB.

Design knobs (to lower phase noise)

To lowerKnobWhy
1/f² (white noise)qmaxq_{max} (swing/energy), ↓ Γrms\Gamma_{rms}LΓrms2/qmax2\mathcal{L}\propto\Gamma_{rms}^2/q_{max}^2
1/f³ (close-in)make the waveform symmetric → ↓ c0c_0corner c02/Γrms2\propto c_0^2/\Gamma_{rms}^2
Jitter (time domain)same as above (same Γrms2/qmax2\Gamma_{rms}^2/q_{max}^2); or lock in a PLL/CDRκΓrms/qmax\kappa\propto\Gamma_{rms}/q_{max}
Where noise is injectedavoid phases where Γ\lvert\Gamma\rvert is large (small slope)cyclostationary Γeff=Γα\Gamma_{eff}=\Gamma\alpha

v5–v8 quick reference (jitter kernels / κ↔D↔linewidth / App.B / M:N locking / PLL / FOM / SerDes)

Rule for this block: every entry is copied verbatim from its source page, convention flags included. The link is the single source of truth for the derivation.

Jitter kernels (three kernels + white-FM closed form) — jitter_kernels

KernelFormula (one-sided SϕS_\phi, 0\int_0^\infty convention)White-FM closed form
TIE (0th order)σTIE2=1ω02f1f2Sϕdf\sigma_{TIE}^2=\dfrac{1}{\omega_0^2}\displaystyle\int_{f_1}^{f_2}S_\phi\,df
N-period (1st-order difference)σP2(N)=1ω020Sϕ4sin2(πfNT)df\sigma_P^2(N)=\dfrac{1}{\omega_0^2}\displaystyle\int_0^\infty S_\phi\,4\sin^2(\pi fNT)\,df=κ2NT=\kappa^2NT (exact match to [P2] Eq.(8))
Cycle-to-cycle (2nd-order difference)σc2c2=1ω020Sϕ16sin4(πfT)df\sigma_{c2c}^2=\dfrac{1}{\omega_0^2}\displaystyle\int_0^\infty S_\phi\,16\sin^4(\pi fT)\,df=2κ2Tσc2c=2σP(1)=2\kappa^2T\Rightarrow\sigma_{c2c}=\sqrt2\,\sigma_P(1)

The prefactor is 1/ω021/\omega_0^2, not 2/ω022/\omega_0^2 (that 2 belongs to the double-sided-spectrum or L=12Sϕ\mathcal{L}=\tfrac12S_\phi bookkeeping).

κ↔D↔linewidth↔ADEV↔SϕS_\phi dictionary (with the 19.9/39.8 mHz canonical numbers) — diffusion_dictionary

Lead quantity: κ2=Γrms22qmax2in2Δf\kappa^2=\dfrac{\Gamma_{rms}^2}{2q_{max}^2}\dfrac{\overline{i_n^2}}{\Delta f} ([P2] Eq.(11)/(12)); canonical (Γrms=0.5\Gamma_{rms}=0.5) gives κ2=0.125\kappa^2=0.125 rad²/s, true LC (Γrms=1/2\Gamma_{rms}=1/\sqrt2) gives 0.250.25.

"Outfit"FormulaCanonical value
κ\kappa (phase) / κt\kappa_t (time)σΔϕ=κΔt\sigma_{\Delta\phi}=\kappa\sqrt{\Delta t}; κt=κ/ω0\kappa_t=\kappa/\omega_0κ=0.354\kappa=0.354 rad/s\sqrt{\text{s}}
DD convention A / BVar=DAt=2DBtDA=κ2, DB=κ2/2\mathrm{Var}=D_{A}\vert t\vert=2D_{B}\vert t\vert\Rightarrow D_{A}=\kappa^2,\ D_{B}=\kappa^2/20.1250.125 / 0.06250.0625
Lorentzian 3-dB linewidthΔf3dB=κ2/(2π)\Delta f_{3\mathrm{dB}}=\kappa^2/(2\pi)19.9 mHz (true LC 39.8 mHz)
SϕS_\phi coefficient (one-sided)Sϕ=2κ2/(2πf)2S_\phi=2\kappa^2/(2\pi f)^2b2=6.33×103b_{-2}=6.33\times10^{-3} rad²·Hz
White-FM ADEVσy(τ)=κ/(2πf0τ)\sigma_y(\tau)=\kappa/(2\pi f_0\sqrt\tau)1.13×10111.13\times10^{-11}@1s (5 GHz)

Three factor-of-2 families to settle before you convert: one-sided vs double-sided PSD, Var=Dt\mathrm{Var}=D\vert t\vert vs 2Dt2D\vert t\vert, and SSB /2/2 vs /4/4.

App.B closed forms: Γrms(A,N)\Gamma_{rms}(A,N), c0c_0, corner — asymmetric_isf_closed_form

Γrms2=2π23η31N3[41+A3(1+A)3],Γdc=2πη21N2(1A1+A),c0=2Γdc\Gamma_{rms}^2=\frac{2\pi^2}{3\eta^3}\frac{1}{N^3}\left[4\frac{1+A^3}{(1+A)^3}\right],\quad \Gamma_{dc}=\frac{2\pi}{\eta^2}\frac{1}{N^2}\left(\frac{1-A}{1+A}\right),\quad c_0=2\Gamma_{dc} f1/f3=f1/f32ηN(1A)21A+A2([P2] Eq.(52)(57), p.803)f_{1/f^3}=f_{1/f}\cdot\frac{3}{2\eta N}\cdot\frac{(1-A)^2}{1-A+A^2}\qquad([\text{P2}]\ \text{Eq.}(52)\text{–}(57),\ \text{p.803})

Afrise/ffallA\equiv f'_{rise}/f'_{fall}; A=1A=1 degenerates exactly to [P2] Eq.(16) (ΓrmsN1.5\Gamma_{rms}\propto N^{-1.5}); the corner is quadratically flat at A=1A=1, symmetric under A1/AA\to1/A, and 1/N\propto1/N. Convention flag: this corner is the [P2] Eq.(7)/(57) value; [P1] Eq.(24) (substituting c0=2Γdcc_0=2\Gamma_{dc}) =2×=2\times this value.

[P1] appendix: Γ=f/(f2+f2)\Gamma=f'/(f'^2+f''^2)isf_from_waveform

Γ(x)=ff2+f2([P1] Eq.(37), p.193)\Gamma(x)=\frac{f'}{f'^{\,2}+f''^{\,2}}\qquad([\text{P1}]\ \text{Eq.}(37),\ \text{p.193})

Substituting f=cosxf=\cos x: the denominator sin2+cos2=1\sin^2+\cos^2=1, giving Γ=sinx\Gamma=-\sin x exactly, and it stays bounded at the waveform peak (this is what resolves the 1/slope1/\text{slope} heuristic's divergence). Ranking of the three methods: A direct impulse injection (most accurate) → B this closed form (one period of waveform suffices) → C slope approximation Γ=f/fmax2\Gamma=f'/f_{max}'^2 (cheapest, ring-specific, Eq.(38)).

Injection-locked noise shaping corner =ωLcosθss=\omega_L\cos\theta_{ss}injection_locking_noise Part A

ωcωLcosθss=ωL2Δω2([P3] Eq.(40)’s pull-in frequency)\omega_c\equiv\omega_L\cos\theta_{ss}=\sqrt{\omega_L^2-\Delta\omega^2}\qquad([\text{P3}]\ \text{Eq.}(40)\text{'s pull-in frequency})

At lock center (Δω=0\Delta\omega=0) the corner is widest; at the lock edge (ΔωωL\Delta\omega\to\omega_L), cosθss0\cos\theta_{ss}\to0 and the high-pass suppression of the oscillator's own noise disappears entirely. (First-order-PLL picture: own noise is high-passed, reference noise is low-passed.)

Optimal injection waveform ωL=IrmsΓ~rms\omega_L^*=I_{rms}\tilde\Gamma_{rms}injection_locking_noise, final section

For a fixed Irmsiinj2I_{rms}\equiv\sqrt{\langle i_{inj}^2\rangle}, Cauchy–Schwarz gives the lock-range upper bound ([P3] Eq.(43)–(45), pp.2119–2120):

ωL=IrmsΓ~rms,iinj,0(x)=±IrmsΓ~rmsΓ~(x)\omega_L^*=I_{rms}\,\tilde\Gamma_{rms},\qquad i_{inj,0}^*(x)=\pm\frac{I_{rms}}{\tilde\Gamma_{rms}}\tilde\Gamma(x)

Equality holds iff the injection waveform matches the ISF's shape (matched filter). Pure-sinusoid ISF: sinusoidal injection is already optimal (gain 1). Ring narrow-pulse ISF: gain ηN/3\approx\sqrt{\eta N/3} (2.06\approx2.06 at N=17N=17, matching [P3] Fig.19's "almost doubled").

M:N subharmonic locking / ILFD: Γ~N\lvert\tilde\Gamma_N\rvertpaper_004

When locked at Mωinj=NωoscM\omega_{inj}=N\omega_{osc} (M=1M=1 is the ÷NN ILFD case), the half lock range rides on only the NN-th ISF harmonic ([P4] Eq.(28)–(30), p.2129, verified):

Ω(θ)=12IinjΓ~Ncos(Nθ+Γ~N)  ωL=12IinjΓ~N=IinjcN2qmax\Omega(\theta)=\frac12 I_{inj}\lvert\tilde\Gamma_N\rvert\cos(N\theta+\angle\tilde\Gamma_N)\ \Rightarrow\ \omega_L=\frac12 I_{inj}\lvert\tilde\Gamma_N\rvert=\frac{I_{inj}\,c_N}{2\,q_{max}}

A half-wave-symmetric ISF (c2=c4==0c_2=c_4=\cdots=0) means ÷2 cannot lock at first order — the same differential-node symmetry that's good news for phase noise is bad news for ILFD (fix: switch to the tail node to pick up c2c_2).

Subharmonic multiplication (×N, ILCM): ωL\omega_L, β\beta, corner — subharmonic_injection

The other half of the duality: at N=1N=1, locking is carried by the injection waveform's own NN-th harmonic (not the ISF's). Canonical: f0=5f_0=5 GHz, qmax=1q_{max}=1 pC, N=20N=20 (fref=250f_{ref}=250 MHz), qinj=50q_{inj}=50 fC.

QuantityFormulaCanonical value
Multiplier lock rangeωL=12INΓ~1\omega_L=\tfrac12\vert I_N\vert\vert\tilde\Gamma_1\vert (impulse train: ΔωL=qinjqmaxf0N\Delta\omega_L=\dfrac{q_{inj}}{q_{max}}\cdot\dfrac{f_0}{N})fL=1.989f_L=1.989 MHz
Realignment factorβqinjΓ~(θss)\beta\equiv-q_{inj}\tilde\Gamma'(\theta_{ss}) (stable for 0<β<20\lt\beta\lt2, converges in 1/β\approx1/\beta injections)0.04980.0498
Noise cornerfcβfref/2πf_c\approx\beta f_{ref}/2\pi (= ΔfL\Delta f_L at lock center)2.092.09 MHz

ADEV floor: 2ln2h1\sqrt{2\ln2\cdot h_{-1}}allan_variance

σy,floor=2ln2h11.1774h1(flicker FM, the τ-independent floor)\sigma_{y,\text{floor}}=\sqrt{2\ln2\cdot h_{-1}}\approx1.1774\sqrt{h_{-1}}\qquad(\text{flicker FM, the }\tau\text{-independent floor})

Canonical (with a 1/f31/f^3 corner of 3.23.2 kHz): floor 1.06×109\approx1.06\times10^{-9} (1.1 ppb); knee τknee=0.3607/fc113 μ\tau_{knee}=0.3607/f_c\approx113\ \mus (where the white-FM τ1/2\tau^{-1/2} segment meets the floor).

PLL peaking: ζ=0.7072.09\zeta=0.707\to2.09 dB — pll_noise_budget, supplementary derivation

A type-II loop with a zero always peaks: fpk=fn2/(s+1)f_{pk}=f_n\sqrt{2/(s+1)}, s=1+1/ζ4s=\sqrt{1+1/\zeta^4} (golden-ratio easter egg: at ζ=1/2\zeta=1/\sqrt2 the peak value =φ=1.618=\varphi=1.618).

ζ\zetafpk/fnf_{pk}/f_nPeaking (dB)Phase margin
0.7070.7862.0965.5°
1.00.7071.2576.3°

Cascading 20 SONET regenerator stages: 20×2.09=41.820\times2.09=41.8 dB, which is why specs cap peaking at the 0.1 dB level per stage.

FOM =173.810log10Feff=173.8-10\log_{10}F_{eff}fom_limit

FOM=173.8 dB10log10Feff(T=300 K, paired with 1kT, not 2kT)\mathrm{FOM}=173.8\ \text{dB}-10\log_{10}F_{eff}\qquad(T=300\ \text{K, paired with }1\cdot kT\text{, not }2kT)

Ring ceiling (γ=2/3,η=1\gamma=2/3,\eta=1): Feff,min=32/9FOMmaxring=168.32F_{eff,min}=32/9\Rightarrow\mathrm{FOM}_{max}^{ring}=168.32 dB; the LC ceiling rises with QQ (Feff1/Q2F_{eff}\propto1/Q^2).

Aperture SNR: 20log10(2πfinσt)-20\log_{10}(2\pi f_{in}\sigma_t)adc_aperture_jitter

SNRjitter=20log10(2πfinσt) dB,ENOB=SNR1.766.02 bit\text{SNR}_{jitter}=-20\log_{10}(2\pi f_{in}\sigma_t)\ \text{dB},\qquad \text{ENOB}=\frac{\text{SNR}-1.76}{6.02}\ \text{bit}

Canonical σt=447.9\sigma_t=447.9 fs: at fin=f0=5f_{in}=f_0=5 GHz, 2πfinσt=σϕ=14.072\pi f_{in}\sigma_t=\sigma_\phi=14.07 mrad \Rightarrow SNR =37.0=37.0 dB (carried over directly from example C).

TJ =DJδδ+2Q1(BER)σ=\mathrm{DJ}_{\delta\delta}+2Q^{-1}(\mathrm{BER})\sigmadj_dual_dirac

TJ(BER)=DJδδ+2Q1(BER)σ\mathrm{TJ}(\mathrm{BER})=\mathrm{DJ}_{\delta\delta}+2\,Q^{-1}(\mathrm{BER})\,\sigma

At BER=1012=10^{-12}, Q1=7.034Q^{-1}=7.034, so TJ=DJδδ+14.07σ\mathrm{TJ}=\mathrm{DJ}_{\delta\delta}+14.07\,\sigma. DJ does not change with BER (bounded, paid once); the RJ term grows only slowly as BER tightens (1012101510^{-12}\to10^{-15}: 14.07σ15.88σ14.07\sigma\to15.88\sigma).

×N / ÷N / buffer bookkeeping — clock_chain_budget

ElementPhase relationL(f)\mathcal{L}(f) bookkeeping
Ideal ×N multiplicationϕout=Nϕin\phi_{out}=N\phi_{in}L+20log10N\mathcal{L}+20\log_{10}N
Ideal ÷N divisionϕout=ϕin/N\phi_{out}=\phi_{in}/NL20log10N\mathcal{L}-20\log_{10}N
Through a PLL (×N)in-band tracks ref, out-of-band tracks VCON2SrefHlp2+SvcoHhp2N^2S_{ref}\lvert H_{lp}\rvert^2+S_{vco}\lvert H_{hp}\rvert^2
Buffer/divider additive floorϕout=ϕin+ϕadd\phi_{out}=\phi_{in}+\phi_{add} (uncorrelated)Lout=10log10(10Lin/10+10Lbuf/10)\mathcal{L}_{out}=10\log_{10}(10^{\mathcal{L}_{in}/10}+10^{\mathcal{L}_{buf}/10}) (convert to linear, add, then convert back to dB)

Conserved quantity: under ideal ×N/÷N, the time-domain σt\sigma_t (in seconds) never changes — only the L\mathcal{L}/rad bookkeeping does.

KpushK_{push} path: Sϕ=K2Sv/Δf2S_\phi=K^2S_v/\Delta f^2varactor_tuning_supply_pushing

KVCOf0Vtune,Kpushf0VDD,Sϕ(Δf)=KVCO2Sv(Δf)Δf2  (the supply version is identical, with KVCOKpush, SvSv,DD)K_{VCO}\equiv\frac{\partial f_0}{\partial V_{tune}},\quad K_{push}\equiv\frac{\partial f_0}{\partial V_{DD}},\qquad S_\phi(\Delta f)=\frac{K_{VCO}^2\,S_v(\Delta f)}{\Delta f^2}\ \ (\text{the supply version is identical, with }K_{VCO}\to K_{push},\ S_v\to S_{v,DD})

Side by side with the ISF white-noise result: both have a Δω2\Delta\omega^2/Δf2\Delta f^2 integrator in the denominator, differing only in what feeds it (Γrms/qmax\Gamma_{rms}/q_{max} vs 2πKVCO2\pi K_{VCO}). White tune/supply noise 1/f2\to 1/f^2; 1/f1/f tune/supply noise 1/f3\to 1/f^3 (parallel to the device c0c_0 mechanism). lab_38 gives a first-principles measurement of KpushK_{push} (ratio to β\beta of 1.002).

The five papers in one line each

  • [P1] Hajimiri–Lee 1998: the ISF theory itself (the oscillator is LTV).
  • [P2] 1999: ISF applied to rings — closed-form jitter/PN, NN-independence.
  • [P3] Hong 2019 I: ISF generalizes Adler → generalized injection locking.
  • [P4] Hong 2019 II: the APF (amplitude counterpart of the ISF), τ0=2Q/ω0\tau_0=2Q/\omega_0, frequency division.
  • [P5] a sense amplifier paper, unrelated to the ISF (honestly labeled).

Full cross-reference: paper_summary_table, equation_index.