Circuit aspects of the noise performance of microwave oscillator modules

An extension of Kurokawa´s noise analysis for determining the form of the noise characteristics of broad-band negative-conductance oscillators is described. The method employs a full large-signal experimental characterisation of the active device, and is applicable to any oscillator structure. Some simple oscillator models are used to illustrate the technique. An investigation of the role of particular circuit elements on the noise characteristics of a commonly used oscillator structure is described which indicates the power of the method in the design of oscillator modules.