Microwave Oscillators

Prof. Girish Kumar

Electrical Engineering Department
IIT Bombay

gkumar@ee.iitb.ac.in
prof.gkumar@gmail.com
(022) 2576 7436
 Amplifier with Positive Feedback
𝑒𝑖 𝑒𝑜 𝑒𝑜 = 𝐴(𝑒𝑖 + 𝛽𝑒0
 A
+ 𝑒𝑜 (1 − 𝐴𝛽 = 𝐴𝑒𝑖
β 𝑒𝑜 𝐴
=
𝑒𝑖 1 − 𝐴𝛽
𝑒𝑜
If loop gain = Aβ = 1, then → ∞.
𝑒𝑖
For 𝑒𝑖 = 0, 𝑒𝑜 may have finite value. Oscillation Condition
To start oscillation: Choose Aβ > 1. Generally Aβ ≃ 1.1 to 1.2

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 2

 Amplifier with Positive Feedback

Oscillations start growing from small noise level at a

frequency determined by loop gain Aβ > 1.

As oscillations grow to a limiting level, gain of the amplifier

starts reducing and a condition occurs when Aβ = 1.

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 3

 Two Port Oscillator
Device
Generator Load
Tuning Matching 𝑍𝑜
Network Network

𝛤𝑆 𝛤𝑖𝑛 𝛤𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝛤𝐿
• Generator tuning network determines oscillation frequency
• Three oscillation conditions:
1. Δ < 1 and 𝐾 < 1 Unstable
2. 𝛤𝑖𝑛 𝛤𝑠 = 1
These two conditions are same
3. 𝛤𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝛤𝐿 = 1
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 4
 Two Port Oscillator (contd.)
Derivation of Condition 3 from Condition 2:
𝑆11 − Δ Γ𝐿
Condition 2: 𝛤𝑖𝑛 𝛤𝑆 = 1 Γ𝑠 = 1
1 − 𝑆22 Γ𝐿

𝑆11 Γ𝑆 − Δ Γ𝐿 Γ𝑆 = 1 − 𝑆22 Γ𝐿 ⇒ Γ𝐿 (𝑆22 − Δ Γ𝑆 = 1 − 𝑆11 Γ𝑆

𝑆22 −∆Γ𝑠
Γ𝐿 = 1 ⇒ Γ𝑳 Γ𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝟏 Same as Condition 3
1−𝑆11 Γ𝑠

Since Γ𝑆 and Γ𝐿 are < 1 Γ𝑖𝑛 and Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 are >1

This implies R 𝑖𝑛 and R 𝑜𝑢𝑡 are negative.

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 5

 Negative Resistance
Example: If R𝑜𝑢𝑡 = Z𝑜𝑢𝑡 = -10 Ω, then
Z −Z −10−50
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜 = = 1.5180°
Z𝑜𝑢𝑡+Z𝑜 −10+50
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 > 1
To find negative Rout from Γout
1
Plot ∗ on Smith Chart
𝛤out
1
= 0.66180°
1.5∠ − 180°
Read value of R and make it negative
r𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −0.2 ⇒ Z𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −10Ω
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 6
 Derivation for One Port Oscillator
When Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 > 1, output impedance
of the device has negative resistance.
Two port oscillator circuit reduces to
single port oscillator.
For Loop Gain = 1: Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 > 1 Γ𝐿 < 1
R 𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑗X𝑜𝑢𝑡 − Z𝑜 R 𝐿 + 𝑗X𝐿 − Z𝑜
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 Γ𝐿 = 1 ⇒ . =1
R 𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑗X𝑜𝑢𝑡 + Z𝑜 R 𝐿 + 𝑗X𝐿 + Z𝑜
(R 𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑗X𝑜𝑢𝑡 − Z𝑜 (R 𝐿 + 𝑗X𝐿 − Z𝑜 = (R 𝑜𝑢𝑡 +𝑗X𝑜𝑢𝑡 + Z𝑜 (R 𝐿 + 𝑗X𝐿 + Z𝑜
Real Part: R𝑜𝑢𝑡 − Z𝑜 R𝐿 − Z𝑜 − X𝑜𝑢𝑡 X𝐿 = (R𝑜𝑢𝑡 +Z𝑜 (R𝐿 + Z𝑜 − X𝑜𝑢𝑡 X𝐿
R𝑜𝑢𝑡 R𝐿 − R𝐿 + R𝑜𝑢𝑡 Z𝑜 + Z𝑜 2 = R𝑜𝑢𝑡 R𝐿 + R𝐿 + R𝑜𝑢𝑡 Z𝑜 + Z𝑜 2
So, − R𝐿 + R𝑜𝑢𝑡 = R𝐿 + R𝑜𝑢𝑡 R𝐿 + R𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0
Similarly Imaginary Part: X𝐿 + X𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 7
 One Port Oscillator (contd.)
To start oscillations: Loop gain Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 Γ𝐿 > 1, R 𝑜𝑢𝑡  1.2R 𝐿
One Port Oscillator Design: i Negative Resistance
Region
A Gunn diode has Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 1.2430° at 10GHz.
1
Idc
Plot ∗ = 0.81 30° on Smith chart
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡
Z𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 50 −1.4 + 𝑗3.2 = −70 + 𝑗160Ω Vdc v
1 To start oscillations, choose: -70Ω 60Ω
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 ∗ RL = 60Ω and XC = −XL
𝑗 j160Ω -j160Ω
− = −j160 ⇒ C = 0.1pF
ω𝑐
Γ𝑜𝑢𝑡 Γ𝐿
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 8
 Two Port Oscillator Design Steps
Design Steps for Two Port Oscillator: Input Stability Circle
1. For given S-parameters, find K
2. If Δ < 1 and K < 1  unstable
3. Draw input (source) stability circle.
4. Choose Γ𝑆 (Z𝑠 ) within unstable region
S S Γ
5. Find Γout = S22 + 12 21 S
1−S11 ΓS Choose Z𝑠 on the periphery
6. Γout will be >1  Find Rout and Xout (most unstable point inside the
stability circle)
7. Find R𝐿 and X𝐿 and design impedance Z𝑠 can be realized by an
matching network. inductor or shorted stub.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 9
Two Port Oscillator Design When Device is Stable
If Δ < 1 and K > 1, Device is Stable
Given: Amplifier Gain = A
Use Feedback Factor = β Make Aβ = 1
B2

X2
B3 R𝐿

X1 R𝐿 B1
X3

Series Feedback Shunt Feedback

Design equations are given in Liao’s book, Ch. 9
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 10
 Output Power of Two Port Oscillator
Maximum Output Power of Two Port Oscillator:
1 𝑙𝑛(𝐺
P𝑜𝑠𝑐(𝑚𝑎𝑥 = P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1 − −
𝐺 𝐺
2
where, P𝑠𝑎𝑡 = Saturated amplifier output power and G = S21
Derivation: P𝑜𝑢𝑡 = P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝 − G.P
P𝑠𝑎𝑡
𝑖𝑛
… (1)
P𝑜𝑢𝑡
For small x: 𝑒𝑥 ≅ 1 + 𝑥, so for small P𝑖𝑛 : P𝑠𝑎𝑡
ideal

G.P𝑖𝑛 Practical
P𝑜𝑢𝑡 ≅ P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1− 1− = G.P𝑖𝑛
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 P𝑖𝑛
For large P𝑖𝑛 : P𝑖𝑛 , P𝑜𝑢𝑡 = P𝑠𝑎𝑡
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 11
Output Power of Two Port Oscillator (contd.)
P𝑜𝑢𝑡
Oscillations’ Condition: =1
P𝑖𝑛
Differentiating eq. (1) w.r.t. P𝑖𝑛
G G.P𝑖𝑛
-P𝑠𝑎𝑡 − . 𝑒𝑥𝑝 − =1
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 P𝑠𝑎𝑡
G.P𝑖𝑛 G.P𝑖𝑛
G. 𝑒𝑥𝑝 − = 1  G = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 …... (2)
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 P𝑠𝑎𝑡
G.P𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑛 𝐺
= ln G  P𝑖𝑛 = P𝑠𝑎𝑡
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝐺
1
Using eqs. (1) and (2): P𝑜𝑢𝑡 = P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1 −
𝐺

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 12

Output Power of Two Port Oscillator (contd.)
P𝑜𝑢𝑡
P𝑜𝑠𝑐(𝑚𝑎𝑥. = P𝑜𝑢𝑡 − P𝑖𝑛 Oscillator P𝑜𝑠𝑐

1 𝑙𝑛 𝐺 P𝑖𝑛
= P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1 − − P𝑠𝑎𝑡
𝐺 𝐺
1 𝑙𝑛 𝐺
= P𝑠𝑎𝑡 1 − − G G𝑜𝑠𝑐 P𝑜𝑠𝑐 /P𝑠𝑎𝑡
𝐺 𝐺
P𝑜𝑢𝑡 1.1 1.05 0.004
G𝑜𝑠𝑐(𝑚𝑎𝑥. =
P𝑖𝑛 2 1.44 0.153
𝐺−1 5 2.49 0.478
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝐺 𝐺−1
= 𝑙𝑛 𝐺 = 10 3.91 0.670
P𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝐺
𝑙𝑛 𝐺

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 13

Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
5V

V-Tune To Load

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 14

 Simulated Results of VCO
Frequency Response for one of the values of V-Tune

All the harmonics are < 20 dB

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 15

 VCO PCB Layout
VCO TWG

VCO layout with Triangular

Populated VCO
Waveform Generator (TWG)
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 16
TWG and VCO Measured Results

Triangular Waveform
Generator (TWG) Output VCO Output
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 17
VCO with Amplifier Results

Amplifier Output of VCO with Amplifier

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 18
VCO with Phase Lock Loop (PLL) – LTC6946

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 19

VCO with PLL: Measured Results
Output Frequency = 1.12 GHz for one of the set values

Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay 20