Heterostructure barrier varactor simulation using an integrated hydrodynamic device/harmonic-balance circuit analysis technique

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Abstract
Accurate and efficient simulations of the large-signal time-dependent behaviour of GaAs-AlGaAs Heterostructure Barrier Varactor (REV) frequency tripler circuits have been obtained. This is accomplished by combining a novel harmonic-balance circuit analysis technique with a physics-based hydrodynamic device simulator. The integrated HBV hydrodynamic device/harmonic-balance circuit simulator allows HBV multiplier circuits to be co-designed from both a device and a circuit point of view. Comparisons are made with the experimental results of Choudhury et al. (see IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., vol. 41, no. 4, p. 595-9, 1993) for GaAs-AlGaAs HBV frequency triplers operating near 200 GHz. These comparisons illustrate the importance of representing active devices with physics-based numerical device models rather than analytical device models based on lumped quasi-static equivalent circuits.