Design and performance of microwave oscillators in integrated fin-line technique

Guidelines are outlined for the design of oscillators for various applications, which are realized in integrated fin-line technique. The characteristic features are derived and compared to one another. The results are then applied to cavity-stabilized oscillators, injection-locked amplifiers, and varactor-tuned oscillators, which have all been realized in fin-line technique. Stabilization by an integrated transmission cavity is shown to be the best configuration for fin-line. For injection-locked amplifiers the stable locking range has been considerably improved by reactance compensation. Finally, it is shown how a varactor diode should be integrated in order to achieve wideband electronic tunability. Performance data of realized (Gunn or Impatt) oscillators are given for each case of application.