A new technique for chaos prediction in RF circuit design using harmonic-balance commercial simulators

In this paper a new method is presented for the detection of chaotic responses using harmonic balance commercial simulators. The method is applicable to circuits exhibiting homoclinic bifurcation routes. The successive period-doublings, often preceding the formation of homoclinic orbits, are predicted and calculated. This is done by means of a new probe technique that overcomes the harmonic balance difficulties when dealing with subharmonic frequencies. This calculation of the steady-state frequency divided responses has allowed an accurate prediction of the onset of chaos, through a homoclinic orbit, in the time-delayed Chua's circuit (TDCC). The method is specially suitable for circuits containing transmission lines that cannot be analyzed by standard time-domain simulations.