Nonlinear analysis of a microwave synthesizer based on a sampling-phase detector

A microwave synthesizer operating at 6.52 GHz and based on a sampling-phase detector has been designed and simulated. The employment of nonlinear analysis tools has enabled an in-depth study of the system dynamics. Hold-in and lock-in bands are determined in a direct and accurate way through the use of the Poincare-map technique. The nonlinear analysis has also made possible the a-priori determination of the loop-filter and VCO characteristics for a good performance in terms of phase noise and loop dynamics.