An octave bandwidth finline frequency tripler

In this paper a nearly octave bandwidth frequency tripler based on bilateral finlines is presented. The tripler covers the frequency range from 23 GHz to 40 GHz. The achieved conversion loss averages out at 17 dB. Design and test data of the tripler using antiparallel Schottky diodes are reported. A low cost, easy-to-handle Arlon AD1000 high frequency laminate substrate, processed by rapid prototyping laser decompositioning technique is used. The tripler design flow is based on cooperative-simulation using commercially available 3D fullwave and harmonic balance circuit solvers. A comparison of simulation results and measurement data is given. The impact of the ambiguity at defining the characteristic impedance of the hybrid finline on the simulation results is discussed.