Pulsed-waveform oscillators with short nonlinear transmission lines

Soliton oscillators enable the generation of short-time pulses, applicable in sampling of fast signals or as probe signals in radar systems. In this paper, the analysis and design of soliton oscillators and frequency dividers, based on nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL) is presented. Different configurations are compared, considering ease of implementation, stability aspects and efficiency. A method is proposed to reduce the number of NLTL inductance-diode stages, using reflection effects together with a proper selection of the line elements, ensuring a quick evolution of the waveform across the NLTL cells. Special attention is paid to the phase-noise analysis, evaluating the impact of different noise sources with the aid of phase-sensitivity functions. Synchronized behaviour, enabling frequency multiplication of high order, and frequency division due to parametric effects are analyzed.