Self-Oscillation in a Transmission Line with a Tunnel Diode

Self-oscillation is observed in a transmission line with a tunnel diode on one end. The voltage waveform across and the current waveform through the tunnel diode are, in general, pulse form or stair-case form. This paper discusses the theoretical analysis of the circuit, and also presents the experimental results, which are in good agreement with the analysis. This circuit can be used as a pulse or staircase wave generator, pulse-frequency modulator with discontinuous levels, analog-digital converter, etc. It is simple in construction, requires little source power, and has a wide frequency range (e.g., μsec~mμsec).