Electronically tunable and modulatable quasi-optic grid oscillator
First Claim
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1. An electronically tunable and modulatable quasi-optic power signal source, comprising:
- (a) a quasi-optic grid oscillator that includes (i) a grid array amplifier having an input and output, (ii) a twist reflector spaced apart from the amplifier by a predetermined distance, and (iii) an oscillator output that sources an output signal; and
(b) means for introducing a signal to entrain the frequency and phase of the oscillator output to a reference signal having a frequency and phase that are specified as a function of time, such that the oscillator output bears a predetermined relationship to the frequency and phase of the reference signal.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses an electronically frequency tunable and phase modulatable quasi-optic grid oscillator. The oscillator includes a reference signal input port whereby a small external reference signal is introduced that entrains the frequency and phase of the oscillator signal to it. Amplitude modulation techniques are introduced to further enhance the utility of the oscillator as a modulator.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electronically tunable and modulatable quasi-optic power signal source, comprising:
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(a) a quasi-optic grid oscillator that includes (i) a grid array amplifier having an input and output, (ii) a twist reflector spaced apart from the amplifier by a predetermined distance, and (iii) an oscillator output that sources an output signal; and
(b) means for introducing a signal to entrain the frequency and phase of the oscillator output to a reference signal having a frequency and phase that are specified as a function of time, such that the oscillator output bears a predetermined relationship to the frequency and phase of the reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronically tunable and modulatable quasi-optic power signal source, comprising:
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(a) a quasi-optic grid oscillator including a grid array amplifier, a polarizing feedback structure and an output that sources an output signal; and
(b) a reference input port associated with the oscillator that accepts an external injection-locking reference signal having a frequency and phase that are specified as a function of time such that the oscillator output bears a predetermined relationship to the frequency and phase of the reference signal.
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11. An electronically tunable and modulatable power signal source, comprising:
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(a) a quasi-optic grid oscillator having an output that sources an output signal;
(b) a reference input port associated with the oscillator that accepts an external injection-locking reference signal having a frequency and phase that are specified as a function of time such that the oscillator output bears a predetermined relationship to the frequency and phase of the reference signal; and
(c) a controller that regulates the amplitude of the output signal of the oscillator. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A system for electronically tuning and modulating a power signal source, comprising:
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(a) a first quasi-optic grid oscillator having an first output that sources a first output signal;
(b) a second quasi-optic grid oscillator having an second output that sources a second output signal that is summed with the first output; and
(c) an outphasing modulation control unit that supplies the first and second grid oscillators with a first and second phase-modulated reference signal, respectively, such that the phasor sum of the oscillators outputs a desired phase and amplitude modulated signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of electronically tuning and modulating a quasi-optic grid oscillator having a signal output, including:
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applying a reference signal to the oscillator; and
adjusting the reference signal to a desired frequency and phase such that the oscillator output is entrained to the frequency and phase of the reference signal.
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Specification