volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

A modified Y-parameters approach is proposed to model the behavior of coupled oscillator arrays (COA's). A coupling network with tunable coupling strength is proposed, which has a near-constant input conductance, to ensure the oscillation condition under different attenuation levels. The parameters of oscillators and the coupling network are derived on the TSMC 0.18 μm technology, and their Y parameters are extracted around 10 GHz for illustration. After being verified with full-circuit simulations and other behavior models, including the Adler's equation and the conventional Y-parameters approach, this method is applied to estimate the maximum allowable number of oscillators that can be coupled together. The inter-element phase shift of a COA is controlled by tuning the free-running frequencies of oscillators at both ends. Injection signals with proper phases are proposed to synchronize multiple COA's into a bigger COA.

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Dr. Yu-Tsung Lo

Prof. Jean-Fu Kiang