A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) tuning range refers to the range of frequencies over which the oscillator's output can be adjusted or tuned by varying the input voltage applied to its control port. In other words, the VCO's frequency output can be changed by changing the voltage at the control input.
Typically, a VCO's tuning range is specified in terms of the minimum and maximum frequencies it can generate. For example, if a VCO has a tuning range of 100 MHz to 500 MHz, it means that by applying different control voltages within the specified voltage range, the VCO can output frequencies between 100 MHz and 500 MHz.
The tuning range of a VCO is an essential parameter in various applications, especially in electronic circuits, communication systems, frequency synthesizers, and phase-locked loops (PLLs). A wide tuning range is desirable as it allows for more flexibility and adaptability in different applications, while a narrow tuning range may be suitable for specific niche purposes where a limited frequency range is sufficient.