Circuits and methods for generating an oscillator output. The circuit
generally includes a ring oscillator, with a series of inverters
connected in series and an LC resonator tank (or a variable resistance)
coupled to the input and output of the inverter series. The method
generally includes the steps of applying an operating voltage to such a
circuit and generating an oscillator signal. The circuits and methods may
be employed as a VCO component of a phase-locked loop. The upper limit of
the oscillator signal frequency may be configured by altering or
controlling the variable resistance and/or one or more parameters of the
LC resonator tank. The circuit design demonstrates a high tolerance to
variations in circuit or circuit component values.