A general theory of phase noise in electrical oscillators

A general model is introduced which is capable of making accurate, quantitative predictions about the phase noise of different types of electrical oscillators by acknowledging the true periodically time-varying nature of all oscillators. This new approach also elucidates several previously unknown design criteria for reducing close-in phase noise by identifying the mechanisms by which intrinsic device noise and external noise sources contribute to the total phase noise. In particular, it explains the details of how 1/f noise in a device upconverts into close-in phase noise and identifies methods to suppress this upconversion. The theory also naturally accommodates cyclostationary noise sources, leading to additional important design insights. The model reduces to previously available phase noise models as special cases. Excellent agreement among theory, simulations, and measurements is observed

Generation of picosecond pulsed coherent state superpositions

We present the generation of approximated coherent state superpositions - referred to as Schr\"odinger cat states - by the process of subtracting single photons from picosecond pulsed squeezed states of light at 830 nm. The squeezed vacuum states are produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal while the single photons are probabilistically subtracted using a beamsplitter and a single photon detector. The resulting states are fully characterized with time-resolved homodyne quantum state tomography. Varying the pump power of the SPDC, we generated different states which exhibit non-Gaussian behavior.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, 3 table

Fast, non-monte-carlo estimation of transient performance variation due to device mismatch

This paper describes an efficient way of simulating the effects of device random mismatch on circuit transient characteristics, such as variations in delay or in frequency. The proposed method models DC random offsets as equivalent AC pseudo-noises and leverages the fast, linear periodically time-varying (LPTV) noise analysis available from RF circuit simulators. Therefore, the method can be considered as an extension to DC match analysis and offers a large speed-up compared to the traditional Monte-Carlo analysis. Although the assumed linear perturbation model is valid only for small variations, it enables easy ways to estimate correlations among variations and identify the most sensitive design parameters to mismatch, all at no additional simulation cost. Three benchmarks measuring the variations in the input offset voltage of a clocked comparator, the delay of a logic path, and the frequency of an oscillator demonstrate the speed improvement of about 100-1000x compared to a 1000-point Monte-Carlo method

Generalized Bloch wave analysis for fiber and waveguide gratings

We have developed a generalized Bloch wave approach for the analysis of aperiodic gratings. This method yields both a macroscopic (i.e., reflection or transmission coefficient) as well as a microscopic (i.e., dispersion diagram and microstructure of the propagating internal field) characterization of fiber and waveguide aperiodic gratings

Oscillator phase noise: a tutorial

Linear time-invariant (LTI) phase noise theories provide important qualitative design insights but are limited in their quantitative predictive power. Part of the difficulty is that device noise undergoes multiple frequency translations to become oscillator phase noise. A quantitative understanding of this process requires abandoning the principle of time invariance assumed in most older theories of phase noise. Fortunately, the noise-to-phase transfer function of oscillators is still linear, despite the existence of the nonlinearities necessary for amplitude stabilization. In addition to providing a quantitative reconciliation between theory and measurement, the time-varying phase noise model presented in this tutorial identifies the importance of symmetry in suppressing the upconversion of 1/f noise into close-in phase noise, and provides an explicit appreciation of cyclostationary effects and AM-PM conversion. These insights allow a reinterpretation of why the Colpitts oscillator exhibits good performance, and suggest new oscillator topologies. Tuned LC and ring oscillator circuit examples are presented to reinforce the theoretical considerations developed. Simulation issues and the accommodation of amplitude noise are considered in appendixes

A Software-Defined Channel Sounder for Industrial Environments with Fast Time Variance

Novel industrial wireless applications require wideband, real-time channel characterization due to complex multipath propagation. Rapid machine motion leads to fast time variance of the channel's reflective behavior, which must be captured for radio channel characterization. Additionally, inhomogeneous radio channels demand highly flexible measurements. Existing approaches for radio channel measurements either lack flexibility or wide-band, real-time performance with fast time variance. In this paper, we propose a correlative channel sounding approach utilizing a software-defined architecture. The approach enables real-time, wide-band measurements with fast time variance immune to active interference. The desired performance is validated with a demanding industrial application example.Comment: Submitted to the 15th International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS 2018