Multi-stage sub-THz frequency generator incorporating injection locking

An oscillator system, comprising:

• a pulse generator having relatively good phase noise operative to generate a reference frequency signal containing a plurality of harmonics;
• a first oscillator operative to receive said reference frequency signal and to resonate at and generate a millimeter wave output fundamental frequency signal and a higher harmonic signal, wherein said first oscillator is injection locked to said reference frequency signal output of said pulse generator at one of the plurality of harmonics generated by the pulse generator;
• and
• a second oscillator having relatively poor phase noise operative to receive the higher harmonic signal, and to generate an output oscillator signal therefrom at a frequency of the higher harmonic signal and at an output node having relatively good phase noise, wherein said second oscillator is injection locked to said first oscillator at the frequency of the higher harmonic signal, wherein the phase noise of said second oscillator tracks that of said first oscillator.

A method of generating an output oscillator signal, comprising:

• generating a reference frequency signal containing a plurality of millimeter wave harmonics;
• first injection locking a first oscillator to one of the plurality of millimeter wave harmonics thereby generating a millimeter wave fundamental first oscillator signal and a harmonic thereof, said first oscillator operative to resonate at a frequency of said fundamental first oscillator signal;
• and
• second injection locking a second oscillator to the harmonic output of said first oscillator and generating the output oscillator signal therefrom at an output node, said second oscillator operative to resonate at a frequency of said harmonic output of said first oscillator.

An oscillator system, comprising:

• a pulse generator having relatively good phase noise operative to generate a reference frequency signal having a plurality of harmonics;
• a first oscillator operative to receive the reference frequency signal output by said pulse generator and to resonate at and generate a fundamental signal and to also generate a first higher harmonic signal therefrom, wherein said first oscillator is injection locked to a first one of the plurality of harmonics output of said pulse generator;
• a second oscillator operative to receive said first higher harmonic signal, to resonate at said first higher harmonic signal, to generate a first output oscillator signal at an output node at a frequency of said first higher harmonic signal, wherein said second oscillator is injection locked to said first oscillator at the frequency of said first higher harmonic signal causing the phase noise of said second oscillator to track that of said first oscillator;
• and
• a third oscillator operative to receive said reference signal and to generate a second output signal therefrom at a second higher harmonic frequency, wherein said third oscillator resonating at and injection locked to a second one of the plurality of harmonics output of said pulse generator, wherein the phase noise of said third oscillator tracks the relatively good phase noise of said pulse generator.