Chaos prediction in an MMIC frequency divider in millimetric band

A technique is proposed for the analysis of possible quasi-periodic routes to chaos in microwave circuits. This is based on the systematic application of a Nyquist stability analysis along the solution paths in self-oscillating mixer operation, as a function of a relevant parameter. The steady quasi-periodic solutions, with two fundamental frequencies, are determined from the harmonic balance method. The stability analysis allows the detection of possible asynchronous instabilities, leading to a three-fundamental quasi-periodic solution, from which the transition to chaotic behavior will occur. This technique has allowed the theoretical prediction of the onset of chaos that was experimentally observed in a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) frequency divider by two in the millimetric band