Chaotic behavior in super regenerative detectors

In this paper the super regenerative detector, as proposed by Armstrong in 1922, is investigated. We show that in a simplified model the current in the circuit behaves chaotically during a small period in time after which the circuit becomes an oscillator. Armstrong was not aware of the circuits' chaotic behavior, but reported strange irregular start-ups of the oscillator. Chaotic behavior of the circuit is demonstrated in this paper using computer simulation. During the period in which the irregularities appear, the amplification of the circuit is maximal.