An Active Low-Noise Receiver With Electronic Beamforming Capability at ${ K}_{ a}$-Band Frequencies

Injection-locked voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) are used for a novel implementation of low-noise receivers used for beamforming. A continuous per-receiver phase shift of 400deg is achieved by locking a low-Q VCO and frequency doubling the signal. The used locking circuit and its locking gain are optimized to obtain a large locking range and a continuous phase-tuning characteristic. Phase noise is minimized by developing a high-Q reference oscillator. The achieved low noise figure of only 2.5 dB enables excellent reception of low-power signals. The realization on a RT/Duroid epsivr=10.2 substrate yields a highly compact module, which serves as a testbed for a planned implementation in low-temperature co-fired ceramic technology.

[1]  Alan Tanner,et al.  A high stability ka-band radiometer for tropospheric water vapor measurements , 2001, 2001 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.01TH8542).

[2]  H. Grubinger,et al.  Continuous Tunable Phase Shifter Based on Injection Locked Local Oscillators at 30 GHz , 2006, 2006 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[3]  Robert A. York,et al.  A new phase-shifterless beam-scanning technique using arrays of coupled oscillators , 1993 .

[4]  K. D. Stephan,et al.  Inter-Injection-Locked Oscillators for Power Combining and Phased Arrays , 1986 .

[5]  Robert A. York,et al.  Enhanced scanning range of coupled oscillator arrays utilizing frequency multipliers , 1995, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium. 1995 Digest.

[6]  R. Adler.  A Study of Locking Phenomena in Oscillators , 1946, Proceedings of the IRE.

[7]  S. Alechno.  Analysis method characterizes microwave oscillators , 1998 .

[8]  H. Barth,et al.  A Compact LTCC Butler Matrix Realization for Phased Array Applications , 2006, 2006 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[9]  K. Stephan,et al.  Analysis of interinjection-locked oscillators for integrated phased arrays , 1987 .

[10]  A. Mediavilla,et al.  Very low-noise differential radiometer at 30 GHz for the PLANCK LFI , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[11]  H. Grubinger,et al.  An Active Electronic Ka-Band Antenna Beam-Forming Network based on Injection-Locked Local Oscillators , 2007, 2007 IEEE/MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[12]  K. Kurokawa,et al.  Injection locking of microwave solid-state oscillators , 1973 .

[13]  L.W. Pearson,et al.  Phase modulation of a loop phase-locked grid oscillator array , 2001, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters.

[14]  Tatsuo Itoh,et al.  A 16 element quasi-optical FET oscillator power combining array with external injection locking , 1992 .

[15]  J. Butler,et al.  Digital, matrix and intermediate-frequency scanning , 1965 .

[16]  W. Rotman,et al.  Wide-angle microwave lens for line source applications , 1963 .

[17]  L.W. Pearson,et al.  Design of coupled-oscillator arrays without a posteriori tuning , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[18]  T. Itoh,et al.  Injection- and phase-locking techniques for beam control [antenna arrays] , 1998 .

[19]  L.W. Pearson,et al.  Enhancement of locking range through reactive loading on the feedback path , 2003, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters.

[20]  Robert A. York,et al.  Nonlinear analysis of phase relationships in quasi-optical oscillator arrays , 1993 .

[21]  M. E. Hines,et al.  FM Noise Suppression of an Injection Phase-Locked Oscillator , 1968 .

[22]  I. M. Stephenson,et al.  Injection locking of microwave solid-state oscillators , 1971 .

[23]  R.A. York,et al.  Coupled-oscillator scanning technique for receiver applications , 1995, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium. 1995 Digest.