On the design of coupling networks for coupled oscillator arrays

Arrays of voltage-controlled oscillators can be coupled by means of a network so as to be mutually injection locked and thus oscillate as an ensemble. This ensemble may be used to excite the elements of a phased array antenna in such a manner as to radiate an agile beam. Design of the coupling network requires attention to three key parameters: the inter-oscillator coupling strength, the network bandwidth, and the oscillator loading. These parameters can be related to the network admittance matrix elements, which, in turn, are related to the lumped element values. This provides convenient formulas for use in designing networks, which provide the necessary values of the above three key design parameters.