A distributed “hybrid” wave oscillator array for millimeter-wave phased-arrays

An array of distributed oscillators for millimeter-wave phased-arrays combines LO generation and distribution, leading to a phase noise improvement proportional to the number of array elements. The unit oscillator consists of a rotary traveling-wave oscillator with quadrature outputs, coupled to the other units through standing-wave oscillators. A standalone oscillator and a 4-elements array have a measured phase noise of -125 dBc/Hz and -131 dBc/Hz respectively at 10MHz from the 52 GHz carrier. Each unit consumes 36 mW corresponding to a FoM of -183.7 dBc/Hz. The tuning range is from 51.9 to 56.5 GHz.