30 results about "Rotary traveling wave oscillator" patented technology

Local oscillator circuitry for an antenna array is disclosed. The circuitry includes an array of rotary traveling wave oscillators which are arranged in a pattern over an area and coupled so as to make them coherent. This provides for a set of phase synchronous local oscillators distributed over a large area. The array also includes a plurality of phase shifters each of which is connected to one of the rotary oscillators to provide a phase shifted local oscillator for the array. The phase shifter optionally includes a cycle counter that is configured to count cycles of the rotary oscillator to which it is connected and control circuitry that is then operative to provide a shifted rotary oscillator output based on the count from the cycle counter. A system and method for operating a true-time delay phased array antenna system. The system includes a plurality of antenna element circuits for driving or receiving an rf signal from the elements of the array. Each element circuit has a transmit and a receive path and a local multiphase oscillator, such as a rotary traveling wave oscillator. Each path has an analog delay line for providing a true-time delay for the antenna element. Preferably, the analog delay line is a charge coupled device whose control nodes are connected to phases of the local multiphase oscillator to implement a delay that is an integer number local multiphase oscillator periods. A fractional delay is also included in the path by using a sample and hold circuit connected to a particular phase of the oscillator. By delaying each antenna element by a true time delay, broadband operation of the array is possible.

A sampling circuit and method are disclosed. The sampling circuit includes a buffer, a holding capacitor, a set of switches, and at least two voltage references. The buffer drives buffered analog input signal via a first switch to a first node of holding capacitor. A second switch connects a second node of the holding capacitor to a first reference voltage. A third switch connects the second node of the holding capacitor to a second reference voltage. When the first and second switches are closed, charge accumulates on the holding capacitor. Opening the second switch terminates charging. The third switch biases the charged capacitor to the second reference voltage and the sampled output is taken from the first node of the holding capacitor. A rotary clock and control circuit provide the precise timing for the switches, especially the opening of the second switch, which determines the end of the sampling time.

A system and method for synthesizing a frequency using a multi-phase oscillator. A state machine operating on one of the phases of the oscillator computes, based on a pair of input integers, a phase select vector that indicates when a particular phase of the multi-phase oscillator should be selected when a transition of the waveform of the output frequency is needed. The phase select vector is then re-timed to form a retimed phase vector so that each phase select signal is in phase with signal it is designed to select. The signals in the retimed phase vector then can be combined to create the output frequency directly or can be used to select the corresponding phase of the multi-phase oscillator, if more accuracy is desired. In one embodiment, the multi-phase oscillator is a rotary traveling wave oscillator which provides highly accurate multiple phases.

The invention belongs to the technical field of millimeter wave integrated circuits, and particularly relates to a rotary traveling wave voltage controlled oscillator with high power and large tuning ranges. The rotary traveling wave voltage controlled oscillator is mainly composed of a rotary traveling wave oscillator, a negative resistance network, a voltage controlled variable capacitor and a voltage controlled phase shift network. According to the rotary traveling wave voltage controlled oscillator, parasitic effects to the oscillator can be reduced. Simultaneously, the tuning range of the output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator is increased by coupling the voltage controlled variable capacitor in the oscillator; and waves with different phases are identical in phases after passing through the voltage controlled phase shift network by coupling the voltage controlled phase shift network in the oscillator, so that the waves with the identical phases are stacked together to achieve high power output.

The invention belongs to the technical field of millimeter wave integrated circuits, and particularly relates to a rotary traveling wave oscillator of multiple energy injection locking. The circuit mainly comprises a rotary traveling wave oscillator, a negative resistance network, a voltage controlled variable capacitor, a voltage controlled phase shifter and a harmonic generation circuit. Parasitic resistances in a capacitance device and an inductance device are high with the rising of the signal frequency, particularly when the frequency in ranges of millimeter waves or sub-millimeter waves in the integrated circuit, and simple capacitance inductance oscillator is difficult to achieve the output of wide tuning ranges and large power. According to the rotary traveling wave oscillator, a voltage-controlled rotary traveling wave oscillator is used to produce fundamental frequency signals to couple the harmonic generation circuit at different positions of the oscillator. The produced high sub-harmonic signals are injected into another oscillator to achieve oscillation with high frequency. The injection locking range is increased by injecting a plurality of energy and choosing appropriate phase of the injected signal.

A system and method for dividing a clock in a way that achieves low phase noise. In one embodiment, a multi-phase oscillator such as a rotary traveling wave oscillator operates a state machine which determines times at which a transition of a coupled phase signal of the multi-phase oscillator should be suppressed. Suppression of the transition is performed by a transistor structure that holds the phase signal at a high or a low so that the transition does not occur at the output. Fewer transitions in the phase signal create a divided clock. In another embodiment, a decoder determines times for suppressing transitions in a true and complement clock and a polarity flip-flop determines the correct polarity for suppressing edges on both clocks. In yet another embodiment, a multiplexer is used to selectively pass either a true or complement clock to an output load.

There is disclosed herein clock generation circuitry, in particular rotary travelling wave oscillator circuitry. Such circuitry comprises a pair of signal lines connected together to form a dosed loop and arranged such that they define at least one transition section where both said lines in a first portion of the pair cross from one lateral side of both said lines in a second portion of the pair to the other lateral side of both said lines in the second portion of the pair.

An oscillator is described. The oscillator includes segments of two-conductor transmission line being connected together by an odd number of connection means to form a closed loop. A plurality of current switches is connected to the conductors of the segments and a high impedance element, such as an inductor or transmission line, is connected to a conductor of at least one segment. The high impedance element sources current into the closed loop and the current switches sink current from one or the other of the conductors of the loop depending on the state of the switch. The switches cause a wave to be established and maintained on the loop and the wave changes the state of the switches as it oscillates. One embodiment of the switches employs npn transistors whose emitters are connected to a current source and another uses NMOS transistors.