Switchable microwave oscillator
First Claim
1. In a frequency stabilized oscillator having a transistor operable for oscillation in the microwave-frequency range, reactive feedback means coupled to a first port of the transistor for providing sufficient negative resistance to allow the transistor to oscillate, and oscillation-tuning means coupled to a second port of the transistor for stabilizing the oscillation frequency of the oscillator, the improvement comprising:
- a quenching circuit coupled to the first port of the transistor and operable for selectively controlling the strength of the output signal of the oscillator, wherein said quenching circuit comprises a diode coupled to the first port of the transistor and diode biasing means for selectively biasing said diode, wherein said diode is operable for reducing the negative resistance of the oscillator when said diode is forward biased.
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Abstract
A switchable microwave oscillator is disclosed that includes a quenching circuit for switching, attenuating, modulating, or otherwise controlling the output amplitude of frequency-stabilized, transistor-based, microwave-frequency oscillators. The quenching circuit includes a diode that is coupled to the transistor at the same port that reactive feedback is present, and includes diode biasing means for selectively applying a bias voltage to the diode. The quenching circuit selectively diverts some of the current flowing through the transistor of the oscillator to control the output thereof.
33 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a frequency stabilized oscillator having a transistor operable for oscillation in the microwave-frequency range, reactive feedback means coupled to a first port of the transistor for providing sufficient negative resistance to allow the transistor to oscillate, and oscillation-tuning means coupled to a second port of the transistor for stabilizing the oscillation frequency of the oscillator, the improvement comprising:
a quenching circuit coupled to the first port of the transistor and operable for selectively controlling the strength of the output signal of the oscillator, wherein said quenching circuit comprises a diode coupled to the first port of the transistor and diode biasing means for selectively biasing said diode, wherein said diode is operable for reducing the negative resistance of the oscillator when said diode is forward biased. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a microwave-frequency oscillator having a transistor, transistor biasing means for applying a bias voltage to said transistor, an oscillation-tuning circuit coupled to one port of said transistor, and reactive feedback means coupled to another port of said transistor for generating negative resistance in a desired frequency band to enable said transistor to oscillate at a frequency determined by said oscillation-tuning means, the improvement comprising:
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a diode coupled at a first side thereof to the same port of said transistor as said reactive feedback means is coupled and operable for diverting current away from said transistor biasing means; and diode biasing means for selectively applying a bias voltage to a second side of said diode for controlling the amount of current diverted by said diode. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A switchable microwave oscillator comprising:
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a transistor capable of oscillation at frequencies in the microwave frequency range; transistor biasing means for supplying a bias voltage to said transistor; an oscillation-tuning circuit coupled to a first port of said transistor; reactive feedback means coupled to a second port of said transistor for providing in combination with said transistor a negative resistance to enable said transistor to oscillate at a frequency determined by said oscillation-tuning circuit; a diode coupled to the second port of said transistor in parallel with said reactive feedback means; and diode biasing means for selectively applying a bias voltage to said diode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification