RF generation using nonlinear transmission lines for aerospace applications

Abstract

As an alternative to replace microwave tubes used nowadays in compact space systems for satellites communications, this work examines the feasibility of using nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL) consisting of nonlinear components as varactor diodes, or capacitors modeled nonlinearly, as ideal circuits, without ohmic losses and real ones, with ohmic losses. All simulations were confirmed using equations found in the literature to verify the models validity. It was also verified that high voltages prevent the use of varactor diodes in NLTLs. This makes the selection for ceramic capacitors more suitable in such applications.