Abstract:
A stable, low noise voltage-to-current converter is provided to control the tuning current in YIG tuned devices such as YIG tuned transistor oscillators. The circuit provides stable tuning current which is substantially noise free.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     YIG (yttrium iron-garnet) tuned devices such as YIG tuned transistor oscillators are well-known wherein the frequency of the oscillator is varied by varying the current to the tuning coils of the device. 
     The present invention provides a stable, low noise voltage-to-current converter for controlling the tuning current of a YIG tuned oscillator. The circuit is extremely stable and low in noise content and, additionally, includes a bandwidth switch which permits a high tuning speed during tuning voltage transitions and a low noise level when the tuning voltage is stabilized. 
     Thus, the present invention provides a circuit which permits fast tuning speeds during transitional periods, yet one which is low in noise while the oscillator frequency is not being changed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit embodying the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of a practical embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1 the main coil of a YIG tuned device designated 5 is supplied with drive current from control current source 7 and power supply 9. Current through the main coil 5 is sensed by current sensing feedback means 11 and a derived voltage is fed to an operational amplifier 13 after being combined with the input tuning control voltage at 15. The voltage output from the amplifier 13 is passed through a bandwidth switch 17 to the control current source 7. The bandwidth switch 17 is one which permits rapid tuning speed during tuning transitions, yet does not introduce noise into the circuit once the control voltage becomes stable. Placement of the main coil 5 between the control current source 7 and the current sensing means 11 provides direct control over coil current stability and noise level. 
     FIG. 2 shows a practical circuit embodying the present invention. In this circuit, the operational amplifier 19 provides control of the main coil current and feedback error voltage for stability. An input control voltage at 21 is introduced to the inverting input of amplifier 19 through input resistor 23 which provides interface for operating set point. The resistor 25 and capacitor 27 provide a feedback circuit which prevents amplifier oscillation. Resistor 29 and capacitor 31 establish a low noise operating point when the oscillator frequency has stabilized. In other words, when no excursion of control voltage is introduced at 21, these elements provide a stabilized voltage to control the YIG tuned oscillator at its selected constant frequency. 
     Switch transistors 33 and 35 are of the NPN and PNP types, respectively. Their collectors connect to the positive and negative poles of the power supply, the bases of both transistors connect to the output of the operational amplifier 19 at one end of resistor 29 and their emitters connect across resistor 29 at its other end. These transistors provide a bandwidth switch which permits fast tuning during transitions when an appropriate one of them is forward biased and switches on to short out resistor 29 and to rapidly charge capacity 31 to the transition tuning voltage. 
     Control current source 37 may be a field effect transistor which serves as a voltage-to-current converter. It is directly connected to and supplies control current to the tuning coil 39 of the YIG oscillator in response to control voltage supplied through gate resistor 43. Transistors 41 and 43 stabilize the circuit. Resistor 45 and capacitor 47 serve as a damping network for tuning coil 39. Diode 49 suppresses reverse voltage transients. Resistor 51 connected between one end of tuning coil 39 and ground serves as the current sensing means and the voltage drop across this resistor feeds back through line 53 and resistor 55 to the inverting input of the operational amplifier 19 where it is combined with control voltage 21. 
     The stability of the circuit is determined by resistors 23, 51 and 55 as well as the precision operational amplifier 19. Noise performance is determined by resistor 29 and capacitor 31. 
     In one practical embodiment, the circuit values which have been used for tuning control of a 12-18 GHz YIG tuned oscillator are as follows: 
     
         ______________________________________amplifier 19       AD542Lresistor 23        10K ohmsresistor 25        499K ohmscapacitor 27       .033 microfaradsresistor 29        100K ohmscapacitor 31       22 microfaradstransistor 33      2N3904transistor 35      2N3906power transistor 37              Siliconix VN46AFresistor 41        1.5K ohmsresistor 43        100 ohmsresistor 45        47 ohmscapacitor 47       1 microfaradresistor 51        2 ohmsresistor 55        4.99K ohms______________________________________ 
    
     The circuit of the present invention is a substantial improvement over previous circuits in that it provides isolation from power supply noise and ground loops, both of which can degrade the output performance of YIG tuned devices.