Broad-Band Varactor-Tuned Impatt-Diode Oscillator (Short Papers)

A varactor-tuned IMPATT-diode oscillator with a continuous and monotonic tuning bandwidth of 27 percent and a potential tuning range in excess of 40 percent is described. The results of a computer program which optimizes the tuning bandwidth of the equivalent circuit of the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) are presented. The VCO consists of two varactors located symmetrically on each side of an IMPATT diode all mounted in a ridged waveguide with two matched outputs into 50-Omega coaxial. Experimental results on bandwidth, power output, frequency linearity, and FM noise are presented.