Nonlinear Dynamics

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Research Focus

Our work in NLD focuses on synchronization phenomena in arrays of oscillators (injection-locking) and phase-locked loop circuits, specifically for microwave or RF systems.  We have shown that these systems offer new and interesting methods for achieving coherence and phase-control for beam-forming in microwave antenna systems.  We have also shown that such arrays can have superior noise properties, and posses a rich set of dynamics including chaotic and mode-locking behavior.  Currently our interest is in exploring the applications of such arrays to more sophisticated adaptive beam-forming systems, and developing improved modeling and design techniques for practical realization of the arrays.

Project Descriptions

bulletScanning Oscillator Systems
bulletCoupled Phase-Locked Loops
bulletEnhanced Locking Range ILPLL Circuit
bulletPhase-Noise in Coupled-Oscillators
bulletMode-Locked Oscillator Arrays
bulletChaos in Oscillator Arrays
bulletPhase Locked Loop Design

Evolution of Work at UCSB

This work was initially undertaken in the context of spatial power-combining, using a large array of microwave semiconductor-device oscillators (Gunn, FET, IMPATT, etc.) in an antenna array, and using the mutual coupling to achieve synchronization and coherence through injection-locking.   In 1993, UCSB graduate student Peter Liao showed [Liao 1993] that the injection-locking dynamics could be manipulated for phase-control and beam-scanning, which generated renewed interest in the work.  Subsequently, Jonathan Lynch and Peter Liao developed improved coupling circuits and dynamical models for these arrays [Lynch 2000], and these were used in several experimental demonstrations [Liao 1997,Liao 1998].  Angelos Alexanian extended the scanning range of the system using a frequency-doubler concept [Alexanian 1997], and visiting scientist Xudong Cao demonstrated a scanning receiver using a coupled-LO array.  Lynch made significant progress in modeling of arrays for a wide variety of coupling networks, including  mode-locking analysis and demonstrations.  Lynch also developed a coupled phase-locked-loop (PLL) scheme Heng-Chia (Henry) Chang showed that the phase-noise properties of these arrays scale as 1/N, where N is the number of oscillators, and demonstrated this experimentally.  Henry also developed an unusual circuit using a low-frequency feedback loop in a conventional VCO to extend the locking range, exploiting the self-mixing properties of the oscillator and combining the concepts of phase-locking and injection-locking.  Chang and Shapiro showed that the design of the oscillators was especially important in realizing certain phase relationships [Chang 1998].  Paolo Maccarini developed new oscillator designs specifically for these arrays, and developed a nonlinear test bench for accurate control and testing of the arrays and verification of the modeling.

References

A selected list of UCSB references.  Papers from 1991-2000 are available in a bound reprint volume.  Contact Bob York for a copy.
  1. J.J. Lynch, H.C. Chang, and R.A. York, "Coupled-Oscillator Arrays and Scanning Techniques" in Active and Quasi-Optical Arrays for Solid-State Power Combining , R.York and Z. Popovic, eds., Chapter 4, Wiley: New York, 1997.
  2. R.A. York, "Phase-Locking Dynamics in Active Integrated Antenna Arrays" Analysis and Design of Integrated-Circuit Modules, P.S. Hall and K.C. Gupta, eds., Wiley: New York, 1999.
  3. R.J. Ram, R. Sporer, H.-R. Blank and R.A. York, "Chaotic dynamics in coupled microwave oscillators", to appear in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.
  4. Jonathan J. Lynch and R.A. York, "Synchronization of Oscillators Coupled through Narrowband Networks", to appear in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.
  5. T. Heath, K. Wiesenfeld and R.A. York, "Manipulated synchronization: beam steering in phased arrays", to appear in Chaos, November, 1999.
  6. H.C. Cheng, A. Borgioli, P. Yeh, R.A. York, "Analysis of oscillators with external feedback loop for improved locking range and noise reduction", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-47, pp. 1535-1543, August 1999.
  7. R.J. Pogorzelski, P.F. Maccarini, and R.A. York, "A continuum model of the dynamics of coupled-oscillator arrays for phase shifterless beam-scanning", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-47, pp. 463-470, April 1999 and "Correction", p. 1147, July 1999.
  8. R.J. Pogorzelski, P.F. Maccarini, and R.A. York, "Continuum model of the dynamics of externally injection locked coupled oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-47, pp. 471-478, April 1999 and "Correction", p. 1147, July 1999.
  9. R.A. York and T. Itoh, "Injection- and phase-locking techniques for beam control", (Invited Paper), IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. 46, pp. 1920-1929, November 1998.
  10. H.-C. Chang, X. Cao, M.J. Vaughan, U.K. Mishra and R.A. York, "Phase noise in externally injection-locked oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-45, pp. 2035-2042, November 1997.
  11. H.-C. Chang, E.S. Shapiro, and R.A. York, "Influence of the oscillator equivalent circuit on the stable modes of parallel-coupled oscillators", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-45, pp. 1232-1239, August 1997.
  12. H.-C. Chang, X. Cao, U.Mishra, and R.A. York, "Phase noise in coupled oscillators: theory and experiment", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-45, pp. 604-615, May 1997.
  13. J.J. Lynch and R.A. York, "Stability of mode-locked states of coupled oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Circuits and Systems , IEEE Trans. Circuits and Systems--I. Fundamental Theory and Applications , vol. 42, pp. 413-418, August 1995.
  14. J.J. Lynch and R.A. York, "Mode-locked arrays of coupled phase-locked loops", IEEE Microwave Guided Wave Lett. , vol. 5, no. 7, pp. 213-215, July 1995.
  15. J.J. Lynch and R.A. York, "An analysis of mode-locked arrays of automatic level control oscillators", IEEE Trans. Circuits and Systems--I. Fundamental Theory and Applictions , vol. 41, pp. 859-865, December 1994.
  16. R.A. York, P. Liao, J.J. Lynch, "Oscillator array dynamics with broadband N-port coupling networks", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-42, pp. 2040-2045, November 1994.
  17. P. Liao and R.A. York, "A six-element scanning oscillator array", IEEE Microwave Guided Wave Lett. , vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 20-22, Jan 1994.
  18. R.A. York and P. Liao, "A new phase-shifterless beam-scanning technique using arrays of coupled oscillators", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., special issue on quasi-optical techniques , vol. MTT-41, pp. 1810-1815, October 1993.
  19. R.A. York, "Nonlinear analysis of phase relationships in quasi-optical oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., special issue on quasi-optical techniques , vol. MTT-41, pp. 1799-1809, October 1993.
  20. R.A. York and R.C. Compton, "Measurement and modeling of radiative coupling in oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-41, pp. 438-444, March 1993.
  21. R.A. York and R.C. Compton, "Experimental observation and simulation of mode-locking in coupled-oscillator arrays", J. Appl. Phys. , vol. 71, no. 6, pp. 2959-2965, 15 March 1992.
  22. R.A. York and R.C. Compton, "Mode-locked oscillator arrays", IEEE Microwave Guided Wave Lett. , vol. 1, no. 8, pp. 215-218, Aug 1991.
  23. R.A. York and R.C. Compton, "Quasi-optical power-combining using mutually synchronized oscillator arrays", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. , vol. MTT-39, pp. 1000-1009, June 1991.
  24. A. Alexanian, H.C. Chang and R.A. York, "Enhanced scanning range in coupled oscillator arrays utilizing frequency multipliers", 1995 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Symposium Digest (Newport Beach, CA), pp. 1308-1310.
  25. X. Cao and R.A. York, "Coupled Oscillator Scanning Technique for Receiver Applications", 1995 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Symposium (Newport Beach, CA), pp. 1311-1314.
  26. P. Liao and R.A. York, "A high power two-dimensional coupled oscillator array at X-band", 1995 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (Orlando), pp. 909-912.
  27. J.J. Lynch and R.A. York, "Pulse power enhancement using mode-locked arrays of automatic level control oscillators", IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (San Diego), pp. 969-972, June 1994.

Related Work

There is a large body of work on coupled-oscillator systems in the mathematics, applied physics, and biological sciences.  It would be impossible to list all of them here.  Below are some works by our colleagues, collaborators, or others that have been influential in our thinking and/or relevant to microwave applications:
bulletStephan's work: Mode Stability; Scanning Experiment
bulletPogorzelski's work: Sidelobe reduction
bulletStrogatz
bulletWeisenfeld
bulletTed Heath
bulletItoh: Strongly Coupled Oscillators