Diodes, Switching

PIN diodes and microstrip have found widespread use in modern
microwave systems. A design theory for the design of microwave
PIN diode switches and limiters is presented. Resonant
mi crostrip transmission line networks are shown to improve the
performance of packaged diodes. A systematic approach is used
to analyze the transmission line networks. Four types of
resonant diode switches are presented: an unmatched reverse
mode switch, a matched reverse mode switch, a series forward
mode switch, and a shunt forward mode switch. The utility of
this approach is illustrated by designing and testing several
PIN diode modules at both C and X-Band.

Portable UHF transceivers typically require minimal current
drain frequency converters to multiply the frequencies generated
by crystal controlled oscillators up to the UHF band. The step
recovery diode (SRD) provides an approach to frequency multiplication
that requires no d.c. bias and hence minimizes battery drain.
This thesis compares the SRD to the more conventional varactor
and analyzes SRD device physics and characteristics. SRD operation
is explained in terms of the conduction and depletion intervals.
The rapid transition from the conduction to the depletion
mode allows the SRD to generate high order harmonics of the input
frequency. A step-by-step design procedure for a series mode
frequency multiplier is presented and empirical observations are
used to help explain multiplier operation. The jump phenomena
and hysteresis effects previously unexplained in relation to SRD
multipliers are explored. Finally, it is shown that the SRD can
function as a parametric amplifier.