A 9 to 18 GHz Small Size Hybrid Broadband VCO using Active Match Circuits

A 9 to 18 GHz broadband voltage controlled oscillator using active match circuits ("active match VCO") has been designed and fabricated in hybrid form. The active match VCO has several advantages over conventional broadband VCO\´s, including wider frequency coverage, smaller output power variation, better frequency pulling and smaller size. The active match VCO exhibits an output power of 12.4 ± 1.4 dBm, a maximum frequency pulling of 50 MHz into 1.7: 1 load VSWR and a phase noise of less than ¿70 dBc/Hz (100KHz off-carrier) over 9.1 to 18.3 GHz. The circuit size is 3.6 × 3.6 mm.