Abstract: A bipolar negative resistance UHF oscillator having a voltage tunable resonator in its emitter circuit is operated at a fixed collector bias current and an RF detector is used as a convenient way to determine the RF current at which the oscillator is operating, by sensing the amplitude of the oscillator's output RF voltage across a constant load. An integrating error amplifier referenced to a desired detector output level responds to the actual detector output level to control the collector bias voltage for the oscillator and maintain the output of the oscillator at a fixed amplitude. Since the collector bias current is fixed, this keeps the operating point at fixed relation with respect to emitter cutoff. That relationship is chosen to be "just below" by initial selection of the constant collector bias current and the reference voltage used by the integrating error amplifier.

Abstract: Problems associated with compromise, fixed base inductances in negative resistance oscillators are overcome by use of an electronically tunable base network. Parameters such as phase noise and output power can thereby be optimized over a wide range of operating conditions. The disclosure is illustrated with reference to a 500-1000 Mhz voltage controlled oscillator employing base-tuning varactors that are slaved to the VCO's tuning signal.

Abstract: Vector modulation is effected by summing output signals from two phase modulators. The lack of amplitude modulation on the signals when summed permits non-linear processing of the signals, such as PLL frequency translation. In one embodiment, the phase modulators comprise fractional-N phase locked loops modulated with digital data words. In another, the phase modulators comprise direct digital synthesizers.