Self-scanning pulsed source using mode-locked oscillator arrays

摘要

An array of coupled microwave oscillators operate at equally spaced output frequencies to produce a train of high-power RF pulses. Each oscillator is embedded in a printed planar radiating structure so that they form a classical antenna array. The oscillators are coupled through weak radiative interactions and by adjusting the frequencies of the oscillators so that adjacent devices operate at equally spaced frequencies, the output from the array is a frequency spectrum of equally spaced pulses. The pulses have a pulse repetition rate which is determined by the frequency spacing and the pulse duration and peak power are a function of the square of the number of oscillators in the array. In addition, the signal scans repetitively through space above the array.