A varactor-tuned patch oscillator for active arrays

The design and construction of a relatively wideband quasi-optical voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is described. This VCO uses a varactor-tuned microstrip patch antenna and may be used as an element in quasi-optical power combining oscillator arrays. Measurements of this VCO indicate that over 1.3 GHz of tuning was achieved, with less than /spl plusmn/1.5 dB of amplitude variation over that range.<>