Automated S Parameter-Free Electronic Oscillator Design, Performance Evaluation Scheme, and Step-by-Step Design Examples Using SPICE, Discrete Fourier Transform

Abstract

The automated S parameter-free oscillator design and performance evaluation scheme is examined in detail in this chapter. The differences between the new scheme and the traditional S parameter-based technique are highlighted. An exhaustive set of step-by-step design examples is provided to illustrate the sequence of design calculations of the S parameter-free oscillator design and performance evaluation technique. The design calculation steps are performed by simple C computer language executables. The performance evaluation is done with the gold standard SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) and a simple C language program that implements the powerful discrete Fourier transform (DFT). SPICE provides time domain start-up and steady-state performance characteristics, while DFT generates the frequency domain performance characteristics of the oscillator. The design examples illustrate oscillators operating at the RF and microwave frequency range (100s of MHz–10s of GHz).