Parametric Electronics

In this chapter, first the parametric principle is illustrated by two simple examples, one mechanical and one electrical. Then the realization of time varying reactances is explained, followed by a short history of "parametric electronics". This survey demonstrates the importance of parametric circuits in the field of low-noise microwave electronics as well as explains the organization of this book. 1.1 The Parametric Principle An oscillating system comprising a single or several time-varying energy storing elements is called a parametric system; usually the variations are harmonic functions of time. Everybody knows one example of a mechanical parametric system from his childhood, namely, a swing. Therefore, we will start with this example though as it turns out, a swing is a rather compli cated parametric system. Fortunately, the electrical parametric systems, which form the object of this book, are simpler. Figure 1.1 shows such a swing. If it is removed from its equilibrium position and the child stands on it in a fixed attitude, the swing oscillates with a certain amplitude, the magnitude of which decreases with time due to the mechanical friction of the system. To increase the amplitude of oscil lation, the child changes positions during swinging: it crouches and straightens in a certain way twice during one cycle of the swing.

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 1.1 The Parametric Principle.- 1.2 Problems.- 2. Lumped Nonlinear Reactances.- 2.1 Capacitances.- 2.2 Inductances.- 2.3 Problems.- 3. Distributed Nonlinear Reactances.- 3.1 Ferroelectrics.- 3.2 Nonlinear Magnetics.- 3.3 Electron Beams.- 3.4 Superconductors.- 3.5 Piezoelectrics.- 3.6 Problems.- 4. Basic Relations for Parametric Circuits.- 4.1 The Manley-Rowe Power Relations.- 4.2 The Basic Three-Frequency Circuit.- 4.3 The Small-Signal Conversion Equations.- 4.4 Large-Signal Conversion Equations.- 4.5 Problems.- 5. Signal Performance of Single-Varactor Diode Parametric Circuits.- 5.1 Three-Frequency Converters.- 5.2 Four-Frequency Converters for Small-Signal Operation.- 5.3 Large-Signal Converters.- 5.4 Small-Signal Behavior of the Three-Frequency Amplifier.- 5.5 Large-Signal Effect with Amplifiers.- 5.6 Problems.- 6. Fundamentals of Electronic Noise.- 6.1 Noise What Is It?.- 6.2 Noise Sources in Communication Transmission Systems.- 6.3 Noisy Four-Poles.- 6.4 Noise Measurement Techniques.- 6.5 Problems.- 7. Noise Performance of Single-Varactor Diode Parametric Circuits.- 7.1 Noise Sources in Parametric Circuits.- 1.2 Converters.- 7.3 The Amplifier.- 7.4 Problems.- 8. Multiple Controlled-Reactance Parametric Circuits.- 8.1 Lumped Elements.- 8.2 Distributed Elements.- 8.3 Problems.- 9. Applications of Parametric Circuits.- 9.1 Parametric Amplifiers.- 9.2 Parametric Converters.- 9.3 Problems.- Appendix : Calculation of pn-Diode Barrier Capacitance.- References.- List of Symbols.