Maker Pro
Maker Pro

linear oscillator analysis - will it oscillate ?

C

cubeagree

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

I am trying to design a 24GHz transistor oscillator (feedback with
transmission line resonator). I have only s-parameter files from the
transistor available - so I can do only linear analysis to evaluate
whether the oscillator will be unstable. I am using ADS for simulation
- with the modul "osctest" it is possible to evaluate the closed loop
gain. According to Nyquist criterium the loop gain should be greater
than 1 when the phase is zero.
All the examples I have seen are using real transistor models , i.e.
they are starting with the linear analysis and afterwards a harmonic
balance simulation to confirm the oscillation.
My loop gain is only "a little bit" greater than 1, actually 1.006 ! I
have tried to change feedback characteristics and I have taken other
transitor s-parameter, but the result is the same = only 1.006 of loop
gain.
What are your experience with the loop gain when using only s-
parameters ? Does it make sense to build this oscillator on the basis
of this simulation ?

Thanks for your feedback !

Regards
Peter
 
W

Wimpie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

I am trying to design a 24GHz transistor oscillator (feedback with
transmission line resonator). I have only s-parameter files from the
transistor available - so I can do only linear analysis to evaluate
whether the oscillator will be unstable. I am using ADS for simulation
- with the modul "osctest" it is possible to evaluate the closed loop
gain. According to Nyquist criterium the loop gain should be greater
than 1 when the phase is zero.
All the examples I have seen are using real transistor models , i.e.
they are starting with the linear analysis and afterwards a harmonic
balance simulation to confirm the oscillation.
My loop gain is only "a little bit" greater than 1, actually 1.006 ! I
have tried to change feedback characteristics and I have taken other
transitor s-parameter, but the result is the same = only 1.006 of loop
gain.
What are your experience with the loop gain when using only s-
parameters ? Does it make sense to build this oscillator on the basis
of this simulation ?

Thanks for your feedback !

Regards
Peter

Hi Peter,

It comes very strange to me that two different transistors (probably
with different Ft) have same loop gain under same load conditions. I
think there is something wrong in the result.

If I really had a circuit with a (power) loop gain of 1.006 in a
linear simulation, I would not build it. Normal deviation in component
characteristics would result in a very unreliable circuit.

When I have to design an oscillator, I also start with the small
signal model. It doesn't matter in what type of parameter system you
do the analysis, as long as you know what you are doing. If I only
have S-parameter data, I would use negative resistance method.

Did you try to simulate an amplifier based on the S-parameter file? If
so, were the results as expected (for example did they matched the
published data)?.

Did you consider the negative resistance (|input reflection
coefficient| > 1) method for your circuit?

My experience with ADS dates back to the first introduction and I
never used an "osctest" option.

When you could find package data valid up to 24 GHz, in combination
with a spice model, you could use a SPICE simulator. Of course, you
have to convert every structure to transmission line components and or
C's and L's. If you are designing a common emitter oscillator,
parasitic emitter induction has large influence on whether or not your
transistor will oscillate.

Best Regards,

Wim
PA3DJS
 
Top