Compact Left-Handed Transmission Line as a Linear Phase–Voltage Modulator and Efficient Harmonic Generator

We construct a synthetic left-handed transmission line with cascaded varactors and shunt inductors. By modulating dc bias, the capacitance of the varactors can be changed and modulation of the output phase state is possible. For frequencies from 4.7 to 6.4 GHz, a very linear phase variation versus voltages of over 200$^{\circ}$ phase variation with low insertion-loss variation $({\pm}{\hbox {0.5 dB}})$ is demonstrated. This circuit can also act as an efficient harmonic generator when a large signal is applied. Since the left-handed transmission line shows high-pass filter response, harmonics generated are not seriously attenuated. However, because this synthetic transmission line is a very dispersive medium, strong dispersions and instabilities may arise. The circuit size is determined by the diode size and lumped-element inductor, allowing it to be compact.