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A high-power self-oscillating active integrated antenna with an extended voltage tuning frequency for X-band applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2025

Hanaa El Moudden*
Affiliation:
Electronic and Smart Systems (ESS) Team, Intelligent Systems Design (ISD) Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
Franco Ramírez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ingeniería de Comunicaciones, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
Taj-Eddin Elhamadi
Affiliation:
Electronic and Smart Systems (ESS) Team, Intelligent Systems Design (ISD) Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
Naima Amar Touhami
Affiliation:
Electronic and Smart Systems (ESS) Team, Intelligent Systems Design (ISD) Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
*
Corresponding author: Hanaa El Moudden; Email: hanaa.elmoudden@etu.uae.ac.ma
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Abstract

This paper introduces a high-power, compact active integrated antenna with extended voltage tuning capability, featuring a nearly 1 GHz oscillation range in the X-band (8.35–9.21 GHz). This broad frequency range enhances the oscillator’s flexibility and adaptability for advanced applications in radar systems and wireless communication. The design integrates InGaAs HEMT technology using a feedback circuit. The self-oscillating antenna, manufactured on a RO4003C substrate with a height of 0.508 mm and dimensions of 0.23 × 0.27 ${{\lambda}}_0^2$, demonstrates impressive performance through small- and large-signal analyses. The obtained results are based on harmonic balance simulation using the auxiliary generator technique within the Advanced Design Systems (ADS) tool. Simulation results indicate power levels from 10.928 dBm to 8.062 dBm, while measured output power ranges from 10.90 dBm to 7.916 dBm, and Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) values were between 12.68 dBm and 10.198 dBm in the interval 8.35–9.21 GHz. Phase noise measurements are −102.94 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz and −124.13 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement, highlighting the robustness and reliability of the oscillator, as well as the effectiveness of the design, which is well suited for applications requiring high stability, precise frequency control, high output power, and efficient performance for microwave applications.

Information

Type
Research Paper
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with The European Microwave Association.
Figure 0

Figure 1. Architecture of the proposed self-oscillating active integrated antenna.

Figure 1

Figure 2. Configuration the C-shaped antenna loop.

Figure 2

Table 1. Passive antenna parameters

Figure 3

Figure 3. Self-oscillating active integrated antenna with extended frequency tuning. (a) Equivalent circuit diagram. (b) Proposed layout.

Figure 4

Figure 4. Reflection coefficient S11 for a passive antenna.

Figure 5

Figure 5. Passive antenna analysis: (a) Gain variation vs. oscillation frequency. (b) 3D radiation pattern.

Figure 6

Figure 6. Small-signal admittance analysis of the proposed self-oscillating active integrated antenna with extended frequency tuning. (a) Without the stability circuit LsCs, the SOAIA start-up conditions are not fulfilled. (b) With the stability circuit LsCs, the SOAIA start-up conditions are fulfilled.

Figure 7

Figure 7. Harmonic balance and transient analysis of a tunable self-oscillating active integrated antenna proposed. (a) Power spectrum of the output power as a function of frequency at Vvar = 2 V. (b) Output voltage as a function of time domain.

Figure 8

Figure 8. Simulation results. (a) Spectrum of the SOAIA with extended frequency tuning. (b) Oscillation frequency as a function of the varactor diode voltage, ranging from 2 V to 16 V.

Figure 9

Figure 9. Phase noise of the self-oscillating active integrated antenna.

Figure 10

Figure 10. Fabricated prototype of the proposed self-oscillating active integrated antenna with extended frequency tuning.

Figure 11

Figure 11. (a) Measurement setup. (b) Experimental validation of the output power at Vvar = 2 V.

Figure 12

Figure 12. Experimental validation of the output power and oscillation frequency as a function of the diode voltage Vvar ranging from 2 V to 16 V.

Figure 13

Figure 13. Evaluation of simulated and measured results. (a) Output power as a function of oscillation frequency. (b) Oscillation frequency as a function of the diode voltage Vvar, ranging from 2 V to 16 V.

Figure 14

Figure 14. Experimental validation of EIRP and oscillation frequency as functions of the diode voltage Vvar, ranging from 2 V to 16 V.

Figure 15

Figure 15. Experimental phase noise validation of the proposed self-oscillating active integrated antenna.

Figure 16

Table 2. State-of-the-art review of self-oscillating active integrated antenna