Extension of the frequency range of ceramic resonator oscillators using push-push circuit topology

Abstract

Commercial ceramic resonator oscillator technology is limited to less than 3 GHz with respect to the output frequency The following paper presents results on ceramic resonator oscillator circuits capable of 4 and 5 GHz operation. Present work that extends the operating frequency of the oscillator to X and Ku bands is outlined. Measured phase noise for the oscillators at 10 kHz offset is better than -100 dBc/Hz. It is demonstrated that the push-push oscillator topology is advantageous with respect to its implementation in phase locked loop circuits as a second output signal at half the oscillation frequency can be obtained from the oscillator for use as the RF input signal for a phase locked loop synthesizer. The results represent a significant breakthrough in the field of ceramic resonator oscillator technology and present a viable low cost signal source solution to high QAM microwave radio applications.