Low-cost waveguide oscillator for research and educational purposes

A low cost, high performance Gunn X Band oscillator for educational and research purposes has been developed. The cavity has been manufactured on standard waveguide WR90, with UBR100 flange, in order to make it compatible with the rest of waveguide circuitry available in a basic microwave laboratory. The ability to sweep the whole X Band (8-12 GHz) with constant output power and low phase noise, added to its low cost makes this oscillator an interesting tool for users at any level. As an example of its many educational applications, a multiple frequency continuous-wave (MFCW) radar has been developed, and the results of the laboratory implementation are shown.