摘要 |
Disclosed is a low noise microwave frequency synthesizer having a plurality of rapidly switchable output frequencies. Two banks of oscillators are selectively mixed to yield a range of output signals of low phase noise and low spurious noise. The first bank of oscillators comprises low noise, highly stable oscillators of a frequency range below the desired synthesized output signal. The second bank of oscillators comprises low noise, highly stable oscillators of a frequency range lower than the first bank. The signal from the second bank of oscillators is frequency multiplied to a desired frequency range by a low multiplication factor and then mixed with the signal from the first bank of oscillators. Multiplied phase noise is reduced by using a low multiplication factor. The upper sideband of the mixed signals is output as the synthesized output signal. Rapid switching between oscillators in both banks provides a frequency range of synthesized output signals which may be rapidly stepped through as desired. |