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In this chapter, first the parametric principle is illustrated by two simple examples, one mechanical and one electrical. Then the realization of time varying reactances is explained, followed by a short history of "parametric electronics". This survey demonstrates the importance of parametric circuits in the field of low-noise microwave electronics as well as explains the organization of this book. 1.1 The Parametric Principle An oscillating system comprising a single or several time-varying energy storing elements is called a parametric system; usually the variations are harmonic functions of time. Everybody knows one example of a mechanical parametric system from his childhood, namely, a swing. Therefore, we will start with this example though as it turns out, a swing is a rather compli cated parametric system. Fortunately, the electrical parametric systems, which form the object of this book, are simpler. Figure 1.1 shows such a swing. If it is removed from its equilibrium position and the child stands on it in a fixed attitude, the swing oscillates with a certain amplitude, the magnitude of which decreases with time due to the mechanical friction of the system. To increase the amplitude of oscil lation, the child changes positions during swinging: it crouches and straightens in a certain way twice during one cycle of the swing.
List of contents
1. Introduction.- 1.1 The Parametric Principle.- 1.2 Problems.- 2. Lumped Nonlinear Reactances.- 2.1 Capacitances.- 2.2 Inductances.- 2.3 Problems.- 3. Distributed Nonlinear Reactances.- 3.1 Ferroelectrics.- 3.2 Nonlinear Magnetics.- 3.3 Electron Beams.- 3.4 Superconductors.- 3.5 Piezoelectrics.- 3.6 Problems.- 4. Basic Relations for Parametric Circuits.- 4.1 The Manley-Rowe Power Relations.- 4.2 The Basic Three-Frequency Circuit.- 4.3 The Small-Signal Conversion Equations.- 4.4 Large-Signal Conversion Equations.- 4.5 Problems.- 5. Signal Performance of Single-Varactor Diode Parametric Circuits.- 5.1 Three-Frequency Converters.- 5.2 Four-Frequency Converters for Small-Signal Operation.- 5.3 Large-Signal Converters.- 5.4 Small-Signal Behavior of the Three-Frequency Amplifier.- 5.5 Large-Signal Effect with Amplifiers.- 5.6 Problems.- 6. Fundamentals of Electronic Noise.- 6.1 Noise - What Is It?.- 6.2 Noise Sources in Communication Transmission Systems.- 6.3 Noisy Four-Poles.- 6.4 Noise Measurement Techniques.- 6.5 Problems.- 7. Noise Performance of Single-Varactor Diode Parametric Circuits.- 7.1 Noise Sources in Parametric Circuits.- 1.2 Converters.- 7.3 The Amplifier.- 7.4 Problems.- 8. Multiple Controlled-Reactance Parametric Circuits.- 8.1 Lumped Elements.- 8.2 Distributed Elements.- 8.3 Problems.- 9. Applications of Parametric Circuits.- 9.1 Parametric Amplifiers.- 9.2 Parametric Converters.- 9.3 Problems.- Appendix : Calculation of pn-Diode Barrier Capacitance.- References.- List of Symbols.
