Analysis of frequency divider RTD circuits

The behavior of a novel circuit topology able to implement a frequency divider is studied. This circuit is composed of a resonant tunnelling diode (RTD), an inductor, and a capacitor, so it exhibits a very high operating frequency and low power consumption. It employs the period-adding sequences which appear in its bifurcation diagram to perform the frequency division. Compared to a previously reported similar circuit, it has wider operation windows and a higher division factor for the driver frequency, while maintaining the extremely high operating frequency, its simplicity, and the division factor tunability through the selection of circuit parameters. Simulation results using the HSPICE RTD model from project LOCOM as well as several realistic parasitics elements are given, which confirm the theoretical capabilities previously analyzed.