Microwave frequency synthesizers with rapid frequency switching

A method for optimizing a frequency switching speed of a computer controlled microwave frequency synthesizer (wideband VCO) comprising a computer processor, a base frequency generator Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider, said method comprising:

• adjusting, using said processor, a first output frequency of said wideband VCO by providing a first voltage setting command and first voltage to said base frequency generator VCO, thereby producing a base frequency output, and also providing a frequency division value command to said frequency divider, thus directing said frequency divider to divide said base frequency output by said frequency division value;
• wherein a wideband VCO output frequency of said wideband VCO is determined by said base frequency output divided by said frequency division value;
• wherein a change in input voltage, from below a critical level to above a critical level, to said base frequency generator VCO produces base frequency oscillations with an undesired stabilization time that exceeds a desired stabilization time;
• switching said wideband VCO to a second wideband VCO output frequency by determining in advance, using said processor, when said second wideband VCO output frequency will require a second voltage setting command with a second voltage that, given said first voltage, will induce said base frequency oscillations;
• and
• using said processor to adjust a second output frequency of said wideband VCO by implementing said second voltage setting command as at least a two-step process;
• wherein an initial step is an initial step voltage resetting command that provides voltage to said base frequency generator VCO at an initial step level above said first voltage, but below said critical level;
• wherein a subsequent step is a subsequent voltage resetting command that provides voltage to said base frequency generator VCO at said second voltage setting;
• and wherein a time difference between said initial step and said subsequent step is less than said undesired stabilization time.