Microstrip High-Power High-Efficiency Avalanche-Diode Oscillator

A simple microstrip oscillator circuit has been designed and operated satisfactorily with high-power high-efficiency avalanche diodes. The power output obtained from a single diode chip is ahout 100 watts at 1 GHz with efficiencies of 25 to 30 percent. Mechanical tuning capability of a few hundred megahertz and a combined power output from series-connected diodes have been demonstrated using the circuit. An essential part of the circuit is a low-pass filter tuning section which enables the circuit to support high-order harmonics including the transit-time frequency and prevents them from getting to the load. Probe measurements of the electric field show strong second as well as third harmonics inside the circuit.