ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the performance of diode frequency multipliers in order to better understand their performance and limitations. It also describes the properties of Schottky barrier diodes, the most useful form of a varactor multiplier and the analytic tools developed to predict multiplier operation. Multiplier operation depends on the nonlinear properties of Schottky diodes. Heterodyne receivers are an important component of most high frequency communications systems and other receivers. The basic problem is to calculate the diode current and voltage waveforms when the device is embedded in an external linear circuit. The diode waveforms are best represented in the time domain. The simulation tools and simple device model do a good job of predicting the performance of low frequency diode multipliers. Since the major application of frequency multipliers is for high frequency local oscillator sources, it would be reasonable to try to fabricate higher order multipliers, triplers for example, instead of doublers.
