This article presents experimental evidence demonstrating the feasibility of implementing a quasi-dual-frequency microwave signal generator using a 1 kW commercial magnetron. The injection-pulled magnetron may generate quasi-dual-frequency output with nearly identical amplitudes by injecting signal at specific powers and frequencies out of the Adler locking band. This generator offers the advantage of developing a large-power and tunable quasi-dual-frequency signal at low cost and with simple implementation. In the present study, a tunable quasi-dual-frequency signal with a frequency interval ranging from 0.48 MHz to 13.74 MHz is generated experimentally. Furthermore, the effects of anode voltage ripples on the dual-frequency outputs are experimentally investigated. An empirical relationship between the frequency interval and injection ratio is obtained and presented. In addition, neither the output power nor the efficiency of the magnetron in the dual-frequency mode decreases. This research is promising for improving microwave heating uniformity in large-scale industrial applications.
We propose a novel phase shifter for beam scanning in phased arrays using a cascaded injection-locked voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) array with weak reverse coupling. We analyze the phase noise performance of a multi-signal injection-locked oscillator and establish a phase output model for the array, studying the effects of forward and reverse injection ratios on phase and phase noise at each stage. By decoupling and cascade locking VCO array elements through controlled injection ratios, we design a 2.45 GHz one-dimensional linear array of four VCOs that achieves a continuous fixed phase difference between adjacent oscillators from −180 to 180, enabling electronic tuning of phase shift and beam scanning. Finally, the beam scanning of the antenna array is realized by using the VCO array. Our theoretical and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.