A device and method for terahertz signal generation are disclosed. Oscillators are arranged in a two-dimensional array, each oscillator connected to a corresponding antenna. Each oscillator is unidirectional connected to its adjacent oscillators by a phase shifter. A method for generating a steerable terahertz signal utilizes an array of oscillators connected by corresponding phase shifters. A terahertz signal having a fundamental frequency is generated using the array. The phase shift of one or more of the phase shifters is varied in order to vary the fundamental frequency and/or steer the signal generated by the array.

A device and method for terahertz signal generation are disclosed. Oscillators are arranged in a two-dimensional array, each oscillator connected to a corresponding antenna. Each oscillator is unidirectional connected to its adjacent oscillators by a phase shifter. A method for generating a steerable terahertz signal utilizes an array of oscillators connected by corresponding phase shifters. A terahertz signal having a fundamental frequency is generated using the array. The phase shift of one or more of the phase shifters is varied in order to vary the fundamental frequency and/or steer the signal generated by the array.

A phase locked loop system has a voltage-controlled variable-load ring oscillator (VLCO) that operates in a frequency band determined by a selected load on each stage of the ring oscillator. Each stage of the VLCO has multiple load selection transistors, each coupled to a load capacitor. Apparatus is provided for driving the load selection transistors according to a load configuration; and apparatus is provided for determining an operating load configuration such that a period of a divided reference signal approximately matches a period of a divided VLCO signal with the VLCO control voltage input clamped to a reference voltage. Once the load configuration is set, the loop is allowed to lock. In a particular embodiment, devices are provided for slowly tweaking the VLCO load to help keep the VLCO operating near an optimum control voltage despite drift of circuit parameters with temperature or time.

A phase locked loop system has a voltage-controlled variable-load ring oscillator (VLCO) that operates in a frequency band determined by a selected load on each stage of the ring oscillator. Each stage of the VLCO has multiple load selection transistors, each coupled to a load capacitor. Apparatus is provided for driving the load selection transistors according to a load configuration; and apparatus is provided for determining an operating load configuration such that a period of a divided reference signal approximately matches a period of a divided VLCO signal with the VLCO control voltage input clamped to a reference voltage. Once the load configuration is set, the loop is allowed to lock. In a particular embodiment, devices are provided for slowly tweaking the VLCO load to help keep the VLCO operating near an optimum control voltage despite drift of circuit parameters with temperature or time.

A method includes injecting a reference input signal into each Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) of a number of VCOs forming a coupled VCO array to reduce a level of injection energy required therefor. The reference input signal is configured to control operating frequency of the coupled VCO array. The method also includes utilizing a phase shift circuit: between individual VCOs of the coupled VCO array and/or in a path of injection of the reference input signal into one or more VCO(s) of the individual VCOs, and mixing outputs of the number of VCOs with signals from antenna elements of an antenna array to introduce differential phase shifts in signal paths coupled to the antenna elements during performing beamforming with the antenna array. Further, the method includes reducing a phase-steering requirement of the coupled VCO array during the beamforming based on the utilization of the phase shift circuit.

A method includes injecting a reference input signal into each Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) of a number of VCOs forming a coupled VCO array to reduce a level of injection energy required therefor. The reference input signal is configured to control operating frequency of the coupled VCO array. The method also includes utilizing a phase shift circuit: between individual VCOs of the coupled VCO array and/or in a path of injection of the reference input signal into one or more VCO(s) of the individual VCOs, and mixing outputs of the number of VCOs with signals from antenna elements of an antenna array to introduce differential phase shifts in signal paths coupled to the antenna elements during performing beamforming with the antenna array. Further, the method includes reducing a phase-steering requirement of the coupled VCO array during the beamforming based on the utilization of the phase shift circuit.

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. An internal state of a frequency divider of a local oscillator (LO) may be stored using a storage device in order to facilitate phase flipping of one or more signals output by the LO. The frequency divider may also include a pulse swallower that swallows a pulse of a signal input into the frequency divider. Using one or more power supply cutting switches in combination with a storage device and pulse swallower, high speed and reliable phase flipping of LO signals may be performed.

The present disclosure relates to an oscillator apparatus comprising a differential transmission line forming a closed loop, a plurality of active core components that are electrically connected to the differential transmission line and that are configured to compensate for loss in the differential transmission line, a plurality of tuning elements that are electrically coupled with the differential transmission line, and a processor configured to control each tuning element of the plurality of tuning elements to activate or deactivate such that an effective electrical length of the differential transmission line is changed.

A quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator circuit with phase shift includes two voltage-controlled oscillators with the same structure, wherein the two voltage-controlled oscillators are connected to each other through input and output ports, and the two voltage-controlled oscillators respectively include a cross-coupled oscillating circuit, an injection locking circuit, a resonant circuit and a voltage-controlled current source circuit which are electrically connected to each other; and signals are injected through the injection locking circuit and coupled with the oscillating circuit, so as to output a quadrature signal. An oscillator is enabled to operate stably in one mode by means of a simple circuit structure, and a good phase shift can be provided for the resonant circuit in a lower frequency band; and meanwhile, a tuning range of the oscillator is improved without increasing phase noise.

A quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator circuit with phase shift includes two voltage-controlled oscillators with the same structure, wherein the two voltage-controlled oscillators are connected to each other through input and output ports, and the two voltage-controlled oscillators respectively include a cross-coupled oscillating circuit, an injection locking circuit, a resonant circuit and a voltage-controlled current source circuit which are electrically connected to each other; and signals are injected through the injection locking circuit and coupled with the oscillating circuit, so as to output a quadrature signal. An oscillator is enabled to operate stably in one mode by means of a simple circuit structure, and a good phase shift can be provided for the resonant circuit in a lower frequency band; and meanwhile, a tuning range of the oscillator is improved without increasing phase noise.