Compact frequency sources using high-order multipliers

Paper in proceeding, 2009

High-order multipliers are a suitable method for making compact frequency sources for high frequencies (> 100 GHz). A fixed frequency phased-locked source, where a fundamental source is multiplied up using among an in-house varactor diode multiplier, has a low phase noise and will be described in this article. These multipliers are based on the Heterostructure Barrier Varactor (HBV) diode, and can either triple or quintuple the frequency. Fixed frequencies from 90 to 220 GHz can be produced by using a combination of only one diode multiplier and a common source unit. A design rule for next generation of multipliers, where the power handling is emphasised, is also included. These multipliers will take the signal source up to a frequency of 500 GHz.