Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for implementing standing wave oscillators (SWOS) using coplanar striplines (CPS). One example is given by a quarter-wavelength (.lamda./4) coplanar stripline standing wave oscillator (SWO), while another implementation utilizes a closed-loop coplanar stripline configuration. In various aspects, SWOs are configured to optimize sinusoidal performance at high frequencies with low power dissipation by incorporating various features that dramatically increase the quality factor Q of the oscillator. In particular, in one aspect, an amplitude-dependent tailored distributed amplification scheme is employed as a mode control technique using multiple amplifiers having different gains along the length of the coplanar stripline. In another aspect, a coplanar stripline configured such that its resistance per unit length R and conductance per unit length G are discreet or continuous functions of position along the coplanar stripline is employed to reduce SWO losses. In another aspect, an enhancement of the quality factor Q is achieved while at the same time reducing the phase velocity of waves propagating in the SWO, thereby also facilitating the fabrication of relatively smaller devices. In yet another aspect, SWOs are configured with frequency adjustability that is again optimized to reduce power dissipation while facilitating significant adjustments of oscillator frequency.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim