Design and analysis of a microwave large-range variable phase-shifter based on an injection-locked harmonic self-oscillating mixer

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless components letters Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 342 - 344
• Main Authors: Hoeye, S.V., Herran, L.F., Fernandez, M., Heras, F.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-06-2006; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit analysis; Circuit properties; Circuit stability; Circuits; Conversion; Design automation; Down-converters; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Frequency conversion; Frequency synchronization; Gain; Harmonic analysis; Harmonics; injection locked self-oscillating mixers; Microstrip antenna arrays; Microstrip antennas; Microwave antenna arrays; Microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits, microwave transmission lines, submillimeter wave circuits; microwave oscillators; Microwaves; Mixers; optimization methods; Phased arrays; Simulation; Stability analysis; Theoretical study. Circuits analysis and design; Microwave phase shifter; Design automation; Microwave mixer; Circuit design; Network analysis; Microwave circuit; microwave oscillators; Selfoscillation; optimization methods; Optimization; injection locked self-oscillating mixers; Injection locked oscillators
• ISSN: 1531-1309; 1558-1764
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWC.2006.875623

In this letter, a new microwave variable phase-shifter based on an injection-locked harmonic self-oscillating mixer, is presented for its application in an active microstrip phased antenna array. The circuit provides the double functionality of variable phase-shifter and down-converter. Maximum conversion gain is obtained, through the optimization of a new multi-harmonic load at the input-port of the circuit. The ranges of synchronized operation are analyzed versus the circuit parameters and the corresponding phase-shifts are calculated. The stability of the synchronized solutions is analyzed using the envelope transient simulation method. An 11.25-1.5-GHz down-converter with a 3.25-GHz free-running frequency has been designed, providing a phase-shift variation at intermediate frequency up to 540/spl deg/, with a 4.5-dB conversion gain. A good agreement between the simulated and experimental results has been found.