An Automated Oscillator Tuning System for Gunn Oscillator Characterisation at MM-Wavelengths

Abstract

This article presents an ‘Automated Oscillator Tuning System’ (AOTS) that together with mechanical motorized fixtures can be used to automatically adjust the frequency and backshort tuners of a coaxial cavity, resonant cap mm-wave oscillator via a computer program. Here we demonstrate how the AOTS can be used to quickly and accurately characterise a coaxial cavity, resonant cap mm-wave oscillator with frequency increments of 100MHz. The oscillator characterisation took 10 minutes with the AOTS as compared to 1hr+ minutes if performed manually and with larger frequency increments. By writing an appropriate computer control program, the AOTS can be adapted to many types of application. Thus, the AOTS has the potential to be versatile with wide functionality.