USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Brian Meadows

Joseph D Neff

Visarath In

Paul Edward Hasler

Edgar A Brown

David W Fogliatti

Steve P DeWeerth

Ardeshir Ratan Bulsara

William Lawrence Ditto

Antonio Palacios

Patrick Longhini

Yong (Andy) Kho

Robert A York

Yu-Chun Donald Lie

John Cothern

Jerry Lopez

Ted H Heath

A technique for enhancing the frequency tuning range for monolithic RF source generation using fully-integrated coupled Voltage-Controlled-Oscillator (VCO) arrays that contain an odd number of VCOs. Fully-monolithic SiGe VCO arrays using on-chip inductor and varactor with on-chip bias current sources have been carefully designed and simulated in IBM 7HP 0.18 &#x3bc;m BiCMOS technology and taped out for fabrication. The SPICE simulated frequency and phase tuning of the 1-D VCO&#xd7;5 array is dependent on the edge VCOs termination impedance, the tuning voltages, and the VCO coupling strength. The simulated data suggests that the enhanced tuning range and beam steering can be accomplished using coupled-VCO arrays without needing complex and bulky phase shifters. This design technique imposes no apparent phase noise penalty but can provide simulated RF frequency tuning range of &#x2dc;40% and also &#x2dc;+/&#x2212;25&#xb0; beam steering for active antennas applications.

Frequency tuning and phase shifting techniques using 1-dimensional coupled voltage-controlled-oscillator arrays for active antennas

Certain spatio-temporal symmetries induce one array of a two-array coupled network of oscillators to oscillate at N times the frequency of the other array, where N is the number of oscillators in each array.

Multi-frequency sythesis using symmetry in arrays of coupled nonlinear oscillators

This invention exploits the synchronization properties of coupled, nonlinear oscillators arrays to perform power combining, beam steering, and beam shaping. This architecture utilizes interactions between nonlinear active elements to generate beam patterns. A nonlinear array integrates the signal processing concurrently with the transduction of the signal. This architecture differs fundamentally from passive transducer arrays in three ways: 1) the unit cells are nonlinear, 2) the array purposely couples the unit cells together, and 3) the signal processing (beam steering and shaping) is done via dynamic interactions between unit cells. The architecture extends to both 1- and 2-dimensional arrays.

Nonlinear beam forming and beam shaping aperture system

An array of non-identical oscillators, driven by a common external driving force, is synchronized in phase. An example application is the phase synchronizing of non-identical vibratory gyroscopes to provide enhanced gyroscope sensitivity while minimizing the need for gyroscope proof mass alteration and individual gyroscope electronics.

Phase synchronized array of non-identical oscillators using coupling network

A nonlinear oscillator method and apparatus. According to one embodiment, a nonlinear oscillator is closed. The nonlinear oscillator includes a first linear amplifier, a second linear amplifier and nonlinear amplifier having a substantially similar design that includes an adjustable linear transconductance region width. The input/output characteristics of the nonlinear oscillator can be represented by van der Pol equations. In another embodiment, a method for providing nonlinear oscillations is disclosed.

Method and apparatus for an improved nonlinear oscillator

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Brian Meadows