Voltage controlled oscillators

Louise Davis

Pasternack, a provider of RF, microwave and millimetre wave products, has just added an all new product line of voltage controlled oscillators covering select bands from 10 MHz to 11 GHz in a variety of package options. This line of voltage controlled oscillators is most commonly deployed in applications such as phase locked loops, frequency synthesisers, electronic jamming equipment and function generators.

Pasternack’s new voltage controlled oscillators, commonly referred to as VCOs, are a type of oscillator where the frequency of the output signal can be varied by adjusting the amplitude of the input tuning voltage. The performance characteristics play a critical role in overall system performance. Unlike oscillators with a single fixed frequency, VCOs have a range of frequencies making them desirable with designers.

A comprehensive and growing portfolio of VCOs from Pasternack includes over 60 different models in true surface mount and coaxial packaged versions available from stock. Some models have added features which include integrated buffer amplifiers and input modulation ports. Tuning voltages can range from 0 to 20 volts, output power ranges from 0 to +12.5 dBm, and all models have an operational temperature range covering -40°C to +85°C. These VCOs also boast exceptional phase noise performance as low as -125dBc/Hz at 10KHz offset. All designs are highly reliable and are designed to meet a series of MIL-STD-202 environmental test conditions, which include shock, vibration, and temperature cycle.