Driven Oscillator Harmonic Balance Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit analysis and simulation techniques are inadequate for handling driven oscillator circuits with periodic input signals, leading to challenges in accurate steady-state simulation and phase noise prediction, as they fail to account for the interaction between the oscillator and the periodic input signals effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves formulating a system of equations for driven oscillator circuits where the frequency of the local oscillator is treated as an extra unknown, allowing for multi-tone harmonic balance analysis and phase noise analysis using a multitone phase noise vector (MPNV) method, enabling direct simulation of waveforms and phase noise prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional circuit analysis and simulation techniques are used for driven oscillator circuits, then the analysis process is simple, but the accuracy of steady-state simulation and phase noise prediction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis by separating the oscillator frequency as an independent unknown variable from the circuit equations. This allows the system to be analyzed in distinct parts: the circuit behavior equations and the frequency determination equation, enabling accurate steady-state simulation without requiring complex coupled analysis of the entire system simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using phasor representations and harmonic balance equations as intermediate mathematical forms. These intermediaries bridge the gap between time-domain circuit behavior and frequency-domain analysis, enabling accurate phase noise prediction while maintaining manageable computational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional simulation techniques are used, then the computational resources required are low, but the ability to handle periodic input signals and oscillator interaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the analysis parameters by treating the oscillator frequency as an explicit unknown variable rather than a fixed parameter. This parameter change enables the simulation to naturally adapt to periodic input signals while maintaining efficient computation through harmonic balance methods, which are computationally lighter than full time-domain simulations for periodic systems.
3Measurement precision
If the frequency of the local oscillator is treated as an extra unknown, then the accuracy of waveform description improves, but the complexity of the system of equations increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frequency variable as a separate unknown, the patent enables accurate waveform description through harmonic balance equations without requiring complex coupled differential equations. The segmentation allows standard numerical solvers to handle the system efficiently while maintaining high accuracy in waveform predictions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a circuit simulation tool in a computer system having one or more computer processors and computer-readable storage, a method for characterizing a driven oscillator circuit having an oscillator coupled to a time-varying input signal includes retrieving information provided in a circuit description of the oscillator circuit. The method also includes forming a frequency-domain harmonic balance equation for the oscillator circuit using the retrieved information provided in the circuit description of the oscillator circuit. The harmonic balance equation includes a first differential operator in a frequency domain of the input signal and a product of a differential operator in a second frequency domain of the oscillator and a frequency variable of the oscillator. The frequency variable is independent of the frequency domain of the input signal. The method further includes solving the harmonic balance equation to obtain a waveform description of the oscillator circuit.