Standing wave oscillators utilizing wave-adaptive tapered transmission lines

In this paper, we introduce a novel standing wave oscillator (SWO) utilizing standing-wave-adaptive tapered transmission lines. This structure enhances Q and lowers phase noise through loss-reducing shaping of the transmission line, such that it is adapted to the position-dependent amplitudes of standing waves. Measurements validate the advantages of the proposed technique. The phase noise of a MOS SWO with the tapered line is 5-10 dB less than that of a uniform-line MOS SWO over a wide range of offset frequencies, centered about 15 GHz. Demonstrating a valuable exploitation of standing wave properties, the novel design concept boosts the potential for the emergence of standing wave oscillators as a useful alternative to the traditional lumped LC oscillator.