FR4 PCB Modulation Transfer MW VCO up to 16 GHz

The CPM modulation scheme allows microwave VCO phase locking to the IF signal: in this way the VCO output, provides directly the modulated RF carrier. The aim of this paper is to suggest the use of the FR4 as microwave substrate to be able to reduce strongly the cost relative to the VCO that, taking into account the above thought, become determinant. By using the multilayer printed circuit board, the microwave structures (microstrip, stripline, matching networks) and the low frequency circuits (voltage regulator. alarms, loop filter) can be achieved overworking the same substrate, resulting in a very low cost structure up to 16 GHz. Moreover it is very important to stress that it is possible to exploit the SMT technology.