Integrated planar NRD oscillator suitable for low-cost millimeter-wave applications

A class of oscillators is proposed on the basis of a hybrid integration of planar circuits and nonradiative dielectric (NRD) guide. Compared to the existing design procedure and the conventional geometry, the novel oscillator uses an NRD resonator made of low-loss and low-permittivity material coupled to a planar oscillator through an aperture. This three-dimensional circuit design allows one to have a completely symmetrical circuit and a built-in feedback loop. A HEMT-based experimental prototype shows that the novel scheme for oscillator design is attractive for use in future low-cost millimeter-wave circuits and systems