A circuit mode chart for high-efficiency avalanche diode oscillators

A circuit mode chart for use with TRAPATT diode microwave oscillators is described. The chart relates the diode mean voltage and mean current levels to the parameters of the diode microwave waveforms. It consists of lines drawn in the diode `mean current-mean voltage' plane which define boundaries to an area in which the oscillator can operate. With the exception of a bias load line, these lines originate from consideration of the maximum and minimum values of the diode voltage waveform and from the properties of the two components, the trigger waveform, and the extraction waveform, into which the diode voltage may be resolved. It is shown how the chart takes account of waveform clipping at the breakdown voltage, frequency doubling, triggering, trapping, frequency shifts, an efficiency reduction effect, and the existence of a low-frequency cutoff. It is also shown how a dynamic characteristic, as well as a static breakdown characteristic may be incorporated on the chart.