A current-excited large-signal analysis of IMPATT devices and its circuit implications

A large-signal analysis of a Read-type IMPATT diode is carried out with a sinusoidal current as the excitation. The results are compared with analyses that assume a sinusoidal voltage excitation. The large-signal impedance of the diode with current excitation is expressed in closed form. The circuit implications of choosing voltage or current as the excitation are discussed.