Chaotic dynamics of delayed feedback klystron oscillator and its control by external signal

Complex nonlinear dynamics and applications of a microwave klystron oscillator with delayed feedback are studied in this paper on the basis of a system of delayed differential equations. Results of numerical simulation of self-modulation and chaotic regimes are presented, unveiling a complex bifurcation pattern in a wide range of parameters. Various types of chaotic attractors and transition to chaos scenarios are described. Experimental results for the five-cavity klystron oscillator are presented as well, showing good qualitative agreement with numerical simulations. Special attention is paid to application of the oscillator in direct chaotic communications. Information transmission using chaos shift keying (CSK) modulation and coherent reception is demonstrated via numerical simulation. The driving by an external signal is used to control the chaotic states of the transmitter oscillator for the purpose of generation of CSK basis functions.