Oscillators and amplifiers in integrated E-plane technique

An overview is presented of solid-state oscillators and amplifiers realized in E-plane technology. The circuit topology, basic design procedures, and performance characteristics are described and compared. Gunn oscillators, IMPATT oscillators, transistor oscillators, injection-locked Gunn oscillators, and transistor amplifiers are surveyed. Gunn and transistor oscillators have been realized successfully for frequencies from 10 to 110 GHz, thus covering almost the entire frequency range suitable for E-plane technology. IMPATT oscillators are difficult to design and to reproduce in quasi-planar form because of the high impedance ratio that must be overcome by the circuit. E-plane FET amplifiers have been built for frequencies up to 60 GHz