Microwave frequency divider having regenerative oscillation

摘要

A microwave frequency divider circuit. The frequency divider comprises a nonlinear amplifier including input and output ports for amplifying signals applied to the input port. The amplifier exhibits a nonlinear transconductance characteristic between its input and output ports. The amplifier input port is adaptable to receive a first signal having a frequency fl. The frequency divider further includes a feedback network coupled between the amplifier output and input ports to couple a second signal having a frequency fo appearing at the amplifier output port back to the input port. The first and second signals combine at the amplifier input port to modulate the nonlinear transconductance of the amplifier such that said first and second signals are mixed together and amplified. The circuit regeneratively oscillates such that the frequency fo equals a frequency fl/2. The frequency fl of the first signal is thus divided by the circuit.