Abstract: A high frequency oscillator which obtains an oscillation output by combining the outputs of two oscillators has a substrate, first and second amplifiers for oscillation so disposed that their output ends be opposite each other, first and second signal lines each configuring a closed oscillation loop by connecting the input ends and the output ends of the first and second amplifiers, respectively, these being disposed on a first principal surface of the substrate, and a grounding conductor disposed on a second principal surface of the substrate and configuring a strip line together with each of the signal lines. An opening, where the grounding conductor is removed, is bored in the second principal surface and a coplanar line structure is configured by arranging the first and second signal lines close to each other in the area of the opening.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a resonant circuit generating a resonant signal, a drive circuit that feeds back the resonant signal to the resonant circuit, and an output terminal connected to a given node of the resonant circuit, an oscillation signal of the oscillator being output via the output terminal.

Abstract: In an oscillator used in a high frequency band such as the microwave band, the millimeter wave band, etc., an oscillation element and circuit components such as a resonator coupled to the oscillation element, etc., are provided inside a casing, the oscillation element is disposed inside a cavity having at least one opening portion, and a part or the whole of the resonator is disposed outside the cavity.

Abstract: An oscillator having a desired output frequency, comprising a cavity resonator 102 loaded with an anisotropic dielectric material and an oscillator circuit 100 including the cavity resonator 102 as a frequency determining element, the oscillator circuit 100 arranged to operate the cavity resonator 102 at a first frequency in a first mode and at a second frequency in a second mode, the first mode and the second mode each being influenced to a different extent by the thermal coefficient of permittivity of at least one crystal axis of the dielectric material, the oscillator circuit arranged to produce the desired operating frequency from the first frequency and the second frequency. The first frequency and the second frequency differ by an amount corresponding to the desired output frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for high power block upconversion having a stand-alone and surface-mountable component is provided. The HP-BUC system of the invention provides a “drop-in” component capable of mixing a local oscillator signal with an IF signal to produce an RF signal in the millimeter-wave and higher bands. In addition, the HP-BUC provides filtering of unwanted spurious signals and requires no further signal amplification prior to transmission, for example in a satellite communications system.

Abstract: A circuit for distributing a clock signal in an integrated circuit includes a capacitive clock distribution circuit having at least conductor therein. At least one inductor is formed in a metal layer of the integrated circuit and is coupled to the clock distribution circuit. The inductor, generally in the form of a number of spiral inductors distributed throughout the integrated circuit, provides an inductance value selected to resonate with the capacitive clock distribution circuit. By operating the clock distribution circuit at resonance, power dissipation is reduced while skew and jitter performance can be improved.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a transistor having a collector receiving a power supply voltage, a first capacitor connected between a base and an emitter of the transistor, a second capacitor connected between the first capacitor and ground, a resistor connected between the collector and base of the transistor, a first inductor connected between the base of the transistor and ground, and a second inductor connected to the emitter of the transistor and the first inductor.

Abstract: A resonator minimizes degradation of the Q factor, accurately adjusts the frequency, and reduces the size and profile thereof. A voltage controlled oscillator including such a resonator includes a multilayer substrate. The multilayer substrate includes a first grounding conductor layer, a first dielectric layer, a strip line layer, a second dielectric layer, a second grounding conductor layer, and a third dielectric layer. A strip line is disposed on the strip line layer, and a microstrip line is disposed on the third dielectric layer. The strip line is connected to the microstrip line via a through hole to define the resonator. A portion of the second grounding conductor layer that faces the microstrip line is removed.

Abstract: A high-frequency module includes a dielectric plate in which a resonator is formed and a cover for covering the dielectric plate. A hole is provided in the cover. A laser beam for laser trimming passes through the hole. The area of opening and the depth of the hole are defined so that electromagnetic waves in a usable frequency band are cut off in the hole. An electrical characteristic is measured in a state where all components including the cover are assembled, and laser trimming is performed through the hole so as to obtain a desired characteristic.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillator includes a dielectric, cylindrical resonator (DR) as a frequency-determining element. The dielectric resonator (DR) is arranged vertically on a substrate (S) on its shell. The resonator (DR) is formed as a hoop, such that the field intensity in the region of the outer edge of the hoop is at a maximum and in the center, is null, that is field-free.

Abstract: Burnout resistance ferroelectric material is used in the feedback path of a microwave oscillator as a frequency control element. The ferractor has rapid broadband frequency tuning capabilities limited only by the speed of an external DC source.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator is provided. The voltage controlled oscillator includes a differential transmission line and another transmission line, which can include a second differential transmission line or other suitable transmission lines. An active device connected to the differential transmission line and the other transmission line controls the current flow between the two transmission lines. A tuning circuit connected to the active device, such as a bias voltage, controls an oscillation frequency of a signal on the differential transmission line and the other transmission line, such as by controlling the level of current flow.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillation device includes a voltage controlled oscillator, fixed-frequency oscillator, frequency mixer, and frequency selector. The voltage controlled oscillator changes the output signal frequency in the microwave band in accordance with the input voltage of a frequency control signal. The fixed-frequency oscillator has a fixed oscillation frequency higher than that of the voltage controlled oscillator. The frequency mixer mixes the output signal from the fixed-frequency oscillator and the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator and outputs the sum frequency and difference frequency between the two signals. The frequency selector selects and outputs one of the sum frequency and difference frequency contained in the output signal from the frequency mixer.

Abstract: An oscillation apparatus has a multi-mode dielectric resonant element; a plurality of oscillation circuits, each including a line coupled to the dielectric resonant element and active devices connected to ends of the line; and a substrate having the lines and the active devices provided thereon. The dielectric resonant element is placed on the substrate. The magnetic fields, occurring in the dielectric resonant element, in a plurality of resonant modes having different resonant frequencies are coupled to the corresponding lines in the plurality of oscillation circuits.

Abstract: A transmission line configured as a looped-stub resonator is disclosed, which can be used as a frequency selective element for an oscillator, such as a VCO of a phase locked loop. The transmission line is a fraction of an electrical wavelength, and can be embedded to provide an inner resonant layer of an overall layered structure. The transmission line is formed into a loop or multiple loops and may be terminated with a capacitor, short circuit, or open circuit. In the embedded case, dielectric insulating material can be used to surround the transmission line on top and bottom surfaces as layers. In addition, electrically conducting material layers can be used to surround the dielectric insulating material.

Abstract: Timing signal generation and distribution are combined in operation of a signal path exhibiting endless electromagnetic continuity affording signal phase inversion and having associated regenerative active means. Two-or more-phases of substantially square-wave bipolar signals arise directly in travelling wave transmission-line embodiments compatible with semiconductor fabrication including CMOS. Coordination by attainable frequency synchronism with phase coherence for several such oscillating signal paths has intra-IC inter-IC and printed circuit board impact.

Abstract: A high-frequency circuit device includes a substrate and a high-frequency circuit. The high-frequency circuit is provided on the substrate and has a signal line. The signal line is configured with a slot line provided by electrodes that are arranged side-by-side with a space therebetween on the substrate. The slot line can facilitates circuit design compared to a microstrip line and has significantly low conduction loss compared to a coplanar line, and can improve the Q-value of the high frequency circuit. This can provide an improved high-frequency circuit device having small phase noise. The high-frequency circuit device, which also serves as an oscillator, employs a slot output and thus can provide an advantage of better continuity for a class-B push-pull amplifier that operates more efficiently than a class-A one.

Abstract: A high-frequency oscillator includes: a substrate composed of a dielectric material; a first transmission line of coplanar structure which is arranged on one principal surface of the substrate; an amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal and which is inserted into the first transmission line such that the input terminal and output terminal connect to the first transmission line; and a second transmission line which is provided on the other principal surface of the substrate, which electromagnetically couples with the first transmission line, and which constitutes a feedback circuit with respect to the amplifier. The first transmission line is typically a coplanar line of finite length, and the second transmission line is typically a microstrip line.

Abstract: A screw-fixing implement which is low in cost and has a high reliability, a resonator device having the screw-fixing implement and having a characteristic adjusting function, a filter, an oscillator, and a communication device each containing the resonator device, and a method of adjusting a characteristic of the resonator device are provided. A nut 2 for fixing a characteristic-adjusting screw 1 is provided with a concave portion d in the vicinity to the axis of the fixing nut 2 and concaved in the thickness direction. A spring-washer 3 is provided with a convex portion p which is engaged with the concave portion d of the screw-fixing nut 2. The spring-washer 3 is sandwiched between a panel 4 and the screw-fixing nut 2. Then, the characteristic adjusting screw 1 is turned under an appropriate load. After the characteristic is adjusted, the screw-fixing nut 2 is tightened till the spring washer 3 is completely broken. Thus, these members are locked.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to facilitate positioning of a metal member for mounting a high-frequency diode and of a dielectric strip, thereby remarkably improving control of oscillation characteristics and workability in production.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor device includes an active area on a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode are disposed on the surface of the active area, so as to define an FET portion. An electrode defining a line for connection to the gate, an electrode defining a line for connection to the source, and an electrode defining a line for connection to the drain are disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The electrodes define a slot line on the input side for supplying a signal to the FET portion, and a slot line on the output side from which a signal of the FET portion is output. The gate electrode has a shape which extends along the direction that approximately perpendicular to the conduction direction of the signal through the slot line on the input side.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate, a transistor, which is an active device, a varactor diode, which is a frequency-variable device, are mounted on one main surface of a package substrate to configure an oscillator. The dielectric substrate is made from a large-dielectric-constant dielectric having high temperature stability. A microstrip-line resonator is formed by thin-film-electrode forming. The microstrip-line resonator and the transistor constitute an oscillating circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modulator which has a high degree of modulation and a good modulation sensitivity. The modulator comprises an oscillating circuit and a resonator portion, and this resonator portion comprises a reflective circuit board, a coupling line which is disposed on the reflective circuit board, a coupled load which is coupled to one end of the coupling line, a dielectric resonator which is disposed on the reflective circuit board and which is magnetically coupled with the coupling line, a window portion which is formed in the undersurface of the reflective circuit board directly beneath the coupling line, a waveguide resonator which is disposed on the undersurface of the reflective circuit board in the area that includes the window portion, and which is magnetically coupled with the coupling line, and a varactor diode which is inserted between the opposite signal conductor surfaces and of the waveguide resonator, and to which the input modulating signal terminal is connected.

Abstract: A multielement oscillator employing a higher mode planar resonator being provided with the planar resonator and a plurality of oscillating elements. The planar resonator has a substrate, a resonation circuit conductor provided on a first principal plane of the substrate, a grounded circuit conductor provided on a second principal plane of the substrate, and being provided with a high-order resonance mode due to an electric field generating between paired plurality of positive and negative potential points and a magnetic field associated with the electric field. The oscillating elements are being connected, in at least one principal plane of the first and second principal planes of the substrate, to a plurality of identical potential points of the planar resonator so as to provide connection between paired circuit conductor portions formed in the one principal plane.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator comprises an oscillation transistor, a varactor diode, a resonance circuit which is coupled to the oscillation transistor, and a switching diode which changes over a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, wherein the resonance circuit includes a first strip conductor which is served for grounding a cathode of the varactor diode in terms of direct current and a second strip conductor which is served for coupling a cathode of the varactor diode with the oscillation transistor, the switching diode is connected to the first strip conductor in parallel in terms of high frequency and has a cathode thereof grounded, and a control voltage which is served for changing a capacitive value of the varactor diode is applied to a connection point between the cathode of the varactor diode and the second strip conductor through a choke inductor.

Abstract: A symmetrical oscillator includes a reactive element, such as an inductor, coupled between first and second active components, where the reactive element defines a fundamental resonant frequency with one or more capacitances of the oscillator. A first feedback circuit is coupled between the first active component and a common node, while a second feedback circuit is coupled between the second active component and the common node such that an output signal at substantially twice the fundamental resonant frequency is obtained at the common node.

Abstract: A high frequency signal source and method of generating a high frequency signal is disclosed. An output signal is generated from a dielectric resonator oscillator and mixed with an output signal from a voltage controlled oscillator having a predetermined tuning range and part of a phase locked loop circuit to sum the frequencies for creating a final output frequency. A portion of the final output frequency is coupled into the phase locked loop circuit that is phase locked to a reference signal from a crystal reference oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator has a tuning range that is used to compensate for the dielectric resonator oscillator initial frequency error and drift over temperature and aging while the balance of the bandwidth is used to provide the tuning range on the local oscillator output.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillator for combining outputs of two oscillator to generate an oscillation output. The oscillators has a substrate, a slot line formed on a first main plane of the substrate and having both longitudinal ends, the both longitudinal ends being electrically short-circuited, a first and a second amplifier for oscillation, each disposed on one and the other side of the slot line, and having outputs of the same oscillation frequency, and an unbalanced transmission line for connecting input terminals of the first and second amplifiers to each other and for connecting output terminals of the first and second amplifiers to each other. The unbalanced transmission line traverses the slot line and forms a closed loop including the first and second amplifiers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to facilitate positioning of a metal member for mounting a high-frequency diode and of a dielectric strip, thereby remarkably improving control of oscillation characteristics and workability in production.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes an active element having a first connection point for connection to a voltage source and an output connection point. A tunable resonator including a first voltage tunable dielectric device is connected to an input of the active element. A first circuit branch is also connected to the active element. The first circuit branch can include a second voltage tunable dielectric device. A tuning voltage controller supplies a control voltage to the first and second voltage tunable dielectric devices to control the frequency of an oscillating voltage at the output connection point. In a reflect type voltage controlled oscillator, the first circuit branch is a bypass circuit. In a transmission type voltage controlled oscillator, the first circuit branch includes a phase shifter and is connected between the active element output connection point and the tunable resonator.

Abstract: An oscillator including a circuit board having a dielectric layer therein; an oscillator circuit comprising its components and an inductor element, the components being mounted on a front surface of the circuit board and at least a part of the inductor element being internally disposed in the dielectric layer; and a back conductor provided on a back surface of the circuit board; wherein the back conductor has two or more slits or pinholes through which a laser beam is passed for partially cutting the dielectric layer together with the internally disposed inductor element at plural sites for adjustment of an oscillation characteristic.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator including a dielectric resonator having a ferroelectric ceramic material placed between two metallized surfaces and biased by an electric field created by a difference in potential applied between the two surfaces as a function of a tuning frequency of the oscillator. Also included is a load impedance, and an active amplifier element coupled between the dielectric resonator and the load impedance. Further, the ceramic material is formed by metal oxides of the family: Bax;Sr(1-x) Ti(1-y)(A)y O3 (1) in which: A is a constituent configured to reduce dielectric losses of the material, and −0.4≲×≲0.9−0.001≲y≲0.2.

Abstract: Timing signal generation and distribution are combined in operation of a signal path exhibiting endless electromagnetic continuity affording signal phase inversion and having associated regenerative active means. Two-or more-phases of substantially square-wave bipolar signals arise directly in travelling wave transmission-line embodiments compatible with semiconductor fabrication including CMOS. Coordination by attainable frequency synchronism with phase coherence for several such oscillating signal paths has intra-IC inter-IC and printed circuit board impact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a local oscillator utilizing an NRD guide applicable to a millimeter wave integrated circuits. A Gunn diode is buried in a bottom of a housing so that a heat generated from the Gunn diode is directly transferred to the housing and is rapidly emitted. Thus, an oscillating power and an oscillating frequency obtained from the local oscillator can be stabilized due to efficient heat-emission. Since a diode mount is not required, manufacturing costs can be reduced while productivity increases. A metal rod resonator, which is easily assembled and has good power and frequency stability as compared with a microstrip resonator, is used as a resonating device. The metal rod resonator is inserted into a fixing block in perpendicular to the NRD guide. An end of the metal rod resonator directly makes contact with an anode of the gun diode. A cavity forming member for defining a cavity, which surrounds main components including the Gunn diode, is installed in the housing.

Abstract: An oscillator comprising an oscillator body having a waveguide and a substantially cylindrical bore intersecting the waveguide, and a package comprising a heat sink having a substantially cylindrical portion and an oscillatory semiconductor device supported at one end of the heat sink. The diameter of the cylindrical portion of the heat sink in relation to the diameter of the bore is such that the heat sink is supported in the bore by one of an interference fit and a tight sliding fit, with the semiconductor device being located in the waveguide. The tight sliding fit or interference fit includes a layer of soft deformable material.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator includes a multilayer substrate having two grounding electrodes. A bare chip IC, a grounding capacitance connected to the collector of a transistor in an oscillator stage disposed in the IC, an electronic component, and other elements, are mounted on one surface of the multilayer substrate, and the electronic components are connected by an electrode pattern. A microstrip line electrode is disposed between the grounding electrodes inside the multilayer substrate, and the collector of the transistor and the capacitor disposed in the IC are connected by through-holes. A sealing resin is filled between the IC and the multilayer substrate to maintain the mounting strength of the IC. A space is provided between the IC and the capacitor to prevent adhesion of the sealing resin to the grounding capacitance.

Abstract: Techniques and structures for tuning integrated, distributed voltage-controlled oscillators (DVCO's) across a wide microwave frequency range are disclosed. One type of DVCO implements a tuning circuit that includes a pair of interconnected amplifying transistors and a current source connected to the transistors, such that a differential voltage input to the circuit adjusts the current to each transistor and effectively adjusts the “electrical length” of one of the transmission lines on which the output frequency is oscillating. This, in turn, adjusts the time delay and thus frequency of the signal propagating on the lines across a wide frequency band. This technique is called “current-steering.” In a preferred embodiment, the tuning circuit is balanced with a complementary tuning circuit to effectively adjust the electrical length of the second transmission line in the oscillator.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry having two circuitry parts each having timing signal generating and distribution means using signal path provisions exhibiting endless electromagnetic continuity affording signal phase inversion with associated regenerative active means so as to serve as source of said timing signals, further comprises inter-connection between the signal path provisions of each of the circuitry parts over an electrical length and at positions of the signal path provisions to coordinate mutual frequency and phase coherence of the circuitry parts, and bidirectional data transfer means at each circuitry part further coordinated with the coordinated timing signals.

Abstract: In a feedback type oscillation circuit including a first microstrip line connected to a signal input terminal of a transistor, a second microstrip line connected to a signal output terminal of the transistor, and a dielectric resonator coupled with the microstrip lines at high frequency, the first and second microstrip lines are provided with patterns that are branched off from the respective microstrip lines, each at an arbitrary angle.

Abstract: A voltage control oscillation circuit is provided on the respective layers of a ceramic multilayer substrate, and an unbalanced transmission line and a balanced transmission line are provided to sandwich a predetermined ceramic layer, whereby an unbalance-balance conversion circuit is defined due to the mutual induction coupling between the transmission lines.

Abstract: In a three-band switching oscillator, a switching circuit is provided to switch the operating conditions of a first and second voltage-controlled oscillator and to switch an oscillation frequency band of the first voltage-controlled oscillator. The switching circuit switches a first switch in accordance with a switching voltage inputted to a first switching terminal and switches an oscillation frequency band in accordance with a switching voltage inputted to a second switching terminal. Only when a high-level switching voltage is inputted to the second switching terminal, the second switch is placed into an open condition by a high-level switching voltage inputted to the first switching terminal and placed into a closed condition by a low-level switching voltage inputted thereto, and when a low-level switching voltage is inputted to the second switching terminal, the second switch is placed into the open condition irrespective of the switching voltage inputted to the first switching terminal.

Abstract: An oscillator is described which exhibits low phase noise characteristics. The oscillator circuit of the invention includes an inductor in series with a low value capacitor, this series combination of an inductor and a capacitor, in parallel with a low value inductor forms a resonator whose inductive and capacitive reactances are a very low value. This causes the loaded Q to be very close to the resonator's unloaded Q.

Abstract: A low phase noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and method are provided. The VCO comprises a negative resistance generator and a resonator that reduces VCO phase noise.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillation device includes a voltage controlled oscillator, fixed-frequency oscillator, frequency mixer, and frequency selector. The voltage controlled oscillator changes the output signal frequency in the microwave band in accordance with the input voltage of a frequency control signal. The fixed-frequency oscillator has a fixed oscillation frequency higher than that of the voltage controlled oscillator. The frequency mixer mixes the output signal from the fixed-frequency oscillator and the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator and outputs the sum frequency and difference frequency between the two signals. The frequency selector selects and outputs one of the sum frequency and difference frequency contained in the output signal from the frequency mixer.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator has a frequency of oscillation that is varied using a substrate on which the same circuit pattern as that of the voltage-controlled oscillator is printed. In a resonant circuit included in the voltage-controlled oscillator, a first land is arranged substantially parallel to an inductor. A second land is arranged substantially parallel to the inductor and to a variable-capacitance diode. The capacitances of capacitors attached to the first land and second land are changed in order to vary the frequency of oscillation of the voltage-controlled oscillator. The frequency of oscillation can be varied without the necessity of scraping the inductor through which a major signal passes. Therefore, electrical characteristics of the voltage-controlled oscillator are not degraded and the frequency of oscillation is very steady. The frequency of oscillation can be varied merely by changing the capacitances of the capacitors attached to the first and second lands.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an inductor with a variable inductance within a semiconductor chip. This inductor includes a primary spiral composed of a conductive material embedded within the semiconductor chip to provide a source of variable inductance. It also includes a control spiral composed of the conductive material vertically displaced from the primary spiral in neighboring layers of the semiconductor chip. This control spiral is magnetically coupled with the primary spiral so that changing a control current through the control spiral induces a change in inductance through the primary spiral. The inductor also includes a controllable current source coupled to the control spiral that is configured to provide the control current. One embodiment of the present invention includes a core surrounding the primary spiral and the control spiral in the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: In a microwave oscillation circuit using a dielectric resonator, a bias resistor for determining a bias voltage supplied to a base terminal of a transistor is located in the neighborhood of a connection point between a feedback circuit side stub for the dielectric resonator and the base terminal of the transistor. The bias resistor has a resistance which basically determines a bias voltage supplied to the base terminal of the transistor and which is enough to make high the impedance of a bias voltage supplying circuit including the bias resistor, viewed at the input terminal of the transistor. Thus, a stable oscillation can be maintained independently of variation in a load impedance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a local oscillator utilizing an NRD guide applicable to a millimeter wave integrated circuits. A Gunn diode is buried in a bottom of a housing so that a heat generated from the Gunn diode is directly transferred to the housing and is rapidly emitted. Thus, an oscillating power and an oscillating frequency obtained from the local oscillator can be stabilized due to efficient heat-emission. Since a diode mount is not required, manufacturing costs can be reduced while productivity increases. A metal rod resonator, which is easily assembled and has good power and frequency stability as compared with a microstrip resonator, is used as a resonating device. The metal rod resonator is inserted into a fixing block in perpendicular to the NRD guide. An end of the metal rod resonator directly makes contact with an anode of the gun diode. A cavity forming member for defining a cavity, which surrounds main components including the Gunn diode, is installed in the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a first stub short bonded across conductive runners of a tuning stub at a distance preferably greater than a distance resulting in the desired frequency of operation of a voltage controlled oscillator tuned by the tuning stub. Thereafter, the voltage controlled oscillator is powered and tested to determine the frequency of operation of the voltage controlled oscillator. The position of a second stub short is determined based on the frequency of oscillation of the oscillator due to the presence of the first stub short, the geometry of the tuning stub and the desired frequency of operation of the voltage controlled oscillator. A second stub short is precisely positioned along the stub using automated equipment, relative to the position of the first stub short, to result in the desired frequency of operation of the voltage controlled oscillator.

Abstract: Techniques and structures for tuning integrated, distributed voltage-controlled oscillators (DVCO's) across a wide microwave frequency range are disclosed. One type of DVCO implements a tuning circuit that includes a pair of interconnected amplifying transistors and a current source connected to the transistors, such that a differential voltage input to the circuit adjusts the current to each transistor and effectively adjusts the “electrical length” of one of the transmission lines on which the output frequency is oscillating. This, in turn, adjusts the time delay and thus frequency of the signal propagating on the lines across a wide frequency band. This technique is called “current-steering.” In a preferred embodiment, the tuning circuit is balanced with a complementary tuning circuit to effectively adjust the electrical length of the second transmission line in the oscillator.