Frequency domain continuation method for the analysis and stability investigation of nonlinear microwave circuits

A new approach for the analysis of nonlinear microwave circuits, the named frequency-domain continuation method, is presented. It allows the unified, but nevertheless efficient, computer analysis of autonomous and forced nonlinear circuits by utilizing the globalization properties of the continuation technique, and provides stability information in parallel. Its theoretical background and relation to bifurcation theory is outlined. Its high potential is demonstrated by application to problems with single- and multiple-frequency input, strong nonlinearities, hysteresis phenomena and subharmonics.