Spectral performance of sapphire dielectric resonator-controlled oscillators operating in the 80 K to 275 K temperature range

This paper reports on the phase noise performance obtained for X-band oscillators using cooled, sapphire dielectric resonators as the frequency-determining element. We report on results obtained using: (1) a TE-cooled, high-order mode resonator purchased from Poseidon Industries exhibiting a loaded Q of 140,000 at an operating temperature of 275 K, and (2) a low-order (TE02) mode resonator fabricated at Westinghouse exhibiting a loaded Q of 350000 at an operating temperature of 77 K. The oscillator sustaining stage designs incorporate GaAs amplifier flicker-of-phase noise feedback reduction techniques as well as a technique that avoids the need for X-band signal amplification altogether. Sustaining stage open loop, flicker of phase noise levels obtained are typically 20 dB below those normally exhibited by GaAs X-band amplifiers.

[1]  M. M. Driscoll,et al.  Low noise, microwave signal generation using cryogenic, sapphire dielectric resonators: an update , 1992, Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium.

[2]  David Blair,et al.  Analysis of a low noise tunable oscillator based on a tunable sapphire loaded superconducting cavity , 1991, Proceedings of the 45th Annual Symposium on Frequency Control 1991.

[3]  M. Driscoll.  Low-noise microwave signal generation using bulk- and surface-acoustic-wave resonators , 1988, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[4]  C.A. Flory,et al.  Microwave oscillators incorporating cryogenic sapphire dielectric resonators , 1995, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[5]  J. Dick,et al.  Measurement and analysis of a microwave oscillator stabilized by a sapphire dielectric ring resonator for ultra-low noise , 1989, Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Symposium on Frequency Control.

[6]  R. W. Laton,et al.  Analysis and Design of a Single-Resonator GaAs FET Oscillator with Noise Degeneration , 1984 .

[7]  D. P. Tsarapkin.  An uncooled microwave oscillator with 1-million effective Q-factor , 1993, 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium.

[8]  S. M. Sparagna.  L-band dielectric resonator filters and oscillators with low vibration sensitivity and ultra low noise , 1989, Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Symposium on Frequency Control.

[9]  K. Zaki,et al.  Higher order modes, high Q dielectric resonators for oscillator applications , 1992, Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium.

[10]  Dependence of SAW resonator 1/f noise on device size , 1993, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[11]  Measured vs. volume model-predicted flicker-of-frequency instability in VHF quartz crystal resonators , 1993, 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium.

[12]  F. Walls,et al.  Investigations of AM and PM noise in X-band devices , 1993, 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium.