Reflection Soliton Oscillator

We report on an electrical oscillator that self-generates a periodic train of short-duration pulses. The oscillator consists of a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL), one end of which is connected to a one-port amplifier and the other end is open. In the steady state, a self-generated short-duration pulse travels back and forth on the NLTL, reflected at both ends of the NLTL due to impedance mismatches. The one-port amplifier produces a negative output resistance for a voltage beyond a particular threshold and a positive output resistance for a voltage below that threshold, and thus, the reflection from the amplifier provides gain for the main upper portion of the pulse to compensate loss, and attenuates small perturbations to ensure oscillation stability. The NLTL substantially sharpens the pulse.