Varactor-Tuned Oscillators
Technical Data
VTO-8000 Series
Pin Configuration
TO-8V
Features
• 600 MHz to 10.85 GHz
Coverage
• Fast Tuning
• +7 to +13 dBm Output
Power
•±1.5 dB Output Flatness
• Hermetic Thin-film
Construction
Description
Agilent Technologies’s VTO-8000
Series oscillators use a silicon
transistor chip as a negative
resistance oscillator. The oscilla-
tion frequency is determined by a
silicon abrupt varactor diode
acting as a voltage-variable
capacitor in a thin-film micro-
stripline resonator. This provides
extremely fast tuning speed,
limited primarily by the internal
impedance of the user-supplied
voltage driver. Fast settling is
another feature of the Agilent
VTO-8000 Series oscillators.
Typical settling times for the
VTO-8090 are <200 kHz within one
microsecond while the VTO-8950
settles to <2 MHz within two
microseconds referenced to ten
milliseconds. The VTO-8850
combines a bipolar transistor
oscillator with a GaAs FET buffer
stage. This GaAs FET buffer
isolates the oscillator from
variations in load impedance for
low frequency pulling, allows the
oscillator to run lighty-loaded for
low phase noise content and
provides +10 dBm of minimum
output power over the full tuning
range. The VTO-8000 Series
varactor-tuned oscillators are
packaged in TO-8 transistor cans
for simple installation in a
conventional 50-ohm micro-
stripline PC board. They are ideal
for most compact, lightweight
commercial and military equip-
ment designs. Test fixturing is
also available for lab bench test
applications. See the “Test
Fixtures for TO-8 Packages”
section for additional information
and outlines.
Applications
Frequency agile systems, such as
digitally controlled receivers and
active jamming transmitters often
use externally linearized
varactor-tuned oscillators.
Agilent oscillators are monotonic
making external linearization
easy using analog (opamp) or
digital (EPROM) linearizing
techniques. The Agilent VTO
Series has been designed with a
tuning input bypass capacitance
which is sufficient to provide the
necessary RF filtering action yet
as low as possible to maximize
∆V/∆T characteristics for excel-
lent tuning speeds. Used in a
phase locked loop PLL circuit, a
VTO provides a receiver LO with
stability equivalent to the refer-
ence oscillator (usually crystal
controlled), yet variable in
discrete steps or continuously
depending on the PLL
configuration.
Another important aspect of VTOs
used in an LO application is their
power vs. frequency flatness
(±1.5 dB). This assures that once a
receiver mixer is biased for best
dynamic range the local oscillator
drive will remain constant
throughout the tuning range
without complex leveling
circuitry.
GROUND
CASE GROUND
+DC
VOLTAGE
RF OUT
+V 3
1
24
TUNE
2
Part Number VTO–8060 VTO–8080 VTO–8090 VTO–8150 VTO–8200
Frequency Range, Min. 600–1000 MHz 800–1400 MHz 900–1600 MHz 1500–2500 MHz 2000–3000 MHz
Power Output into 50–ohm Load,Min. 20 mW/+13 dBm 20 mW/+13 dBm 20 mW/+13 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm
Power Output Variation @ 25°C, Max. ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB
Operating Case Temperature Range 0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C
Frequency Drift Over Operating 8 MHz 10 MHz 10 MHz 18 MHz 30 MHz
Temperature, Typ.
Pulling Figure (12 dB Return Loss), Typ. 25 MHz 25 MHz 25 MHz 35 MHz 35 MHz
Pushing Figure, +15 VDC Supply, Typ. 5 MHz/V 6 MHz/V 6 MHz/V 6 MHz/V 6 MHz/V
Harmonics, Below Carrier, Typ. –15 dB –15 dB –15 dB –15 dB –18 dB
Spurious Output Below Carrier, Min. –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB
Tuning Voltage
Low Frequency 3±1 VDC 2±1.5 VDC 2±1 VDC 2.5±1 VDC 2+2/–1 VDC
High Frequency 40±8 VDC 35±10 VDC 48+8/–10 VDC 47±8 VDC 20±4 VDC
Maximum Tuning Voltage +60 VDC +60 VDC +60 VDC +60 VDC +45 VDC
Tuning Port Capacitance, Nom. 180 pF 180 pF 180 pF 90 pF 45 pF
Phase Noise, Singie Sideband,
1 Hz Bandwidth, Typ.
50 kHz From Carrier –110 dBc/Hz –100 dBc/Hz –100 dBc/Hz –95 dBc/Hz –95 dBc/Hz
100 kHz From Carrier –117 dBc/Hz –107 dBc/Hz –107 dBc/Hz –102 dBc/Hz –102 dBc/Hz
Input Power ±1% Regulation
Voltage, Nom. +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC
Current, Max. 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA
Case Style TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V
Part Number VTO–8240 VTO-8248 VTO-8360 VTO–8430 VTO–8580
Frequency Range, Min. 2400–3700 MHz 2488 MHz 3600–4300 MHz 4300–5800 MHz 5800–6600 MHz
Power Output Into 50–ohm Load, Min. 10 mW/+10 dBm +8 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 5 mW/+7 dBm
Power Output Variation @25°C., Max. ±1.5 dB N/A ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB
Operating Case Temperature Range 0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C
Frequency Drift Over Operating 30 MHz 10 MHz 35 MHz 60 MHz 70 MHz
Temperature, Typ.
Pulling Figure (12 dB Return Loss), Typ. 35 MHz 2 MHz 40 MHz 50 MHZ 70 MHz
Pushing Figure, +15 VDC Supply, Typ. 6 MHz/V * 6 MHz/V 6 MHz/V 6 MHz/V 8 MHz/V
Harmonics, Below Carrier, Typ. –18 dB –20 dB –25 dB –25 dB –25 dB
Spurious Output Below Carrier, Min. –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB
Tuning Voltage
Low Frequency 2+2/–1 VDC 4 VDC 8±2 VDC 1.0 VDC Min 5±2.5 VDC
High Frequency 30±8 VDC 8 VDC 24±4 VDC 20.0 VDC Max. 24+3/–5 VDC
Maximum Tuning Voltage +45 VDC +10 VDC +30 VDC +30 VDC +30 VDC
Tuning Port Capacitance, Nom. 45 pF 23 pF 45 pF 45 pF 45 pF
Phase Noise, Single Sideband,
1 Hz Bandwidth, Typ.
50 kHz From Carrier –95 dBc/Hz –105 dBc/Hz –100 dBc/Hz –90 dBc/Hz –85 dBc/Hz
100 kHz From Carrier –102 dBc/Hz –115 dBc/Hz –108 dBc/Hz –97 dBc/Hz –92 dBc/Hz
Input Power ±1% Regulation
Voltage, Nom. +15 VDC +5 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC
Current, Max. 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA 50 mA
Case Style TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V
* +5 VDC supply
Electrical and Performance Specifications
Guaranteed Specifications @ 25°C Case Temperature (0° to +65°C Operating Temperature)
3
Electrical and Performance Specifications
Guaranteed Specifications @ 25°C Case Temperature (0° to +65°C Operating Temperature)
Part Number VTO–8650 VTO–8810 VTO–8850 VTO–8950 VTO-810750
Frequency Range, Min. 6500-8600 MHz 8100–9100 MHz 8500–9600 MHz 9500–10500 MHz 10650–10850 MHz
Power Output Into 50–ohm load, Min. 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm 10 mW/+10 dBm
Power Output Variation @ 25°C., Max. ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB ±1.5 dB
Operating Case Temperature Range 0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C0° to +65°C
Frequency Drift Over Operating 100 MHz 110 MHz 110 MHz 160 MHz 130 MHz
Temperature, Typ.
Pulling Figure (12 dB Return Loss), Typ. 15 MHz 8 MHz 10 MHz 20 MHz 10 MHz
Pushing Figure, +15 VDC Supply, Typ. 10 MHz/V 12 MHz/V 15 MHz/V 10 MHz/V 5 MHz/V
Harmonics, Below Carrier, Typ. –20 dB –15 dB –25 dB –20 dB –20 dB
Spurious Output Below Carrier, Min. –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB –60 dB
Tuning Voltage
Low Frequency 2±1 VDC 2 VDC Min. 5±2 VDC 4±1 VDC 4 VDC Min.
High Frequency 20±5 VDC 16 VDC Max. 13±5 VDC 10 VDC Max. 6 VDC Max.
Maximum Tuning Voltage 30 VDC +30 VDC +30 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC
Tuning Port Capacitance, Nom. 26 pF 26 pF 26 pF 26 pF 26 pF
Phase Noise, Single Sideband,
1 Hz Bandwldth, Typ.
50 kHz From Carrier –80 dBc/Hz –80 dBc/Hz –82 dBc/Hz –73 dBc/Hz –77 dBc/Hz
100 kHz From Carrier –88 dBc/Hz –88 dBc/Hz –90 dBc/Hz –80 dBc/Hz –85 dBc/Hz
Input Power ±1% Regulation
Voltage, Nom. +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC +15 VDC
Current, Max. 50 mA 100 mA 100 mA 100 mA 100 mA
Case Style TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V TO–8V
Schematic
RF OutputOutput Matching
+15 V
Resonator
Series Feedback
Tuning
Port
Capacitor
V Tune Varactor
4
Typical Performance @ 25ºC Case Temperature
Figure 1. VTO–8060 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
17
16
15
14
1.1
1.0
.9
.8
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Figure 3. VTO–8090 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
15
14
13
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
.9
.8
70
80
100
90
60
50
40
30
20
10
.7
.6
.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
15
14
13
12
11
1500
1000
500
0 8 16 24 32 40 48
125
25
Figure 2. VTO–8080 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
Figure 4. VTO–8150 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
Figure 6. VTO–8240 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivit
y
vs. Tuning Voltage.
15
14
13
1.5
2.0
2.5
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
14
13
12
11
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
160
120
80
40
14
13
12
11
10
0 8 16 24 32 40 48
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
250
50
Figure 5. VTO–8200 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
MHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
MHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
5
Typical Performance (Continued)
Figure 8. VTO–8360 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
11.5
11.0
10.5
4.3
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5 20
40
60
80
5 10 15 20 25 30
10
30
50
70
90
13
12
11
10
9
0 8 16 24 32 40 48
6500
5500
4500
3500
1000
250
Figure 9. VTO–8430 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
MHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
Figure 10. VTO–8580 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
Figure 11. VTO–8650 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
13
12
11
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
80
100
140
120
60
40
20
0
14
13
12
6
7
8
0
200
400
600
800
1000
0 2 4 6 8 101214161820
10
0 5 10 15 20 25
11
10
5
422
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
Figure 12. VTO–8810 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
14
13
10
7
5
048121620
600
0
15
6
8
91200
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
MHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
Figure 7. VTO–8248 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
9
8
2520
2530
2490
2470
0246810
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
10
2480
2500
2510
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
6
Typical Performance (Continued)
TO-8V Case Drawing
.50
DIA .45
DIA
.18
.22
MIN
.150
TYP
.300
TYP GROUND
CASE
GROUND
V
.150
TYP
3
4
2
1
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT 1.7 GRAMS
+
.017 +.002
.300
TYP
VTUNE
–.001
RFOUT
GLASS RING
.060 DIA TYP
(3X)
NOTES (UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED):
1. DIMENSIONS ARE SPECIFIED IN INCHES
2. TOLERANCES: xx ± .02
xxx ± .010
–20
LOG £(f), dBc/Hz
1k
Figure 16. Noise Comparison Single Sideband
Phase Noise.
FOURIER FREQUENCY, Hz
10k 100k 1M
–40
–60
–80
–100
–120
–140
–160 10M
8650
8240
8248
8950
810750
Figure 14. VTO–8950 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
13
12
11
12
10
9
802 46 810 0
200
400
600
800
10
11
12 14 16
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
Figure 13. VTO–8850 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
14
13
10
9
8
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
400
300
200
100
15
0
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
FREQUENCY,
GHz
TUNING VOLTAGE, VDC
POWER
OUTPUT, dBm
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY, MHz/V
Figure 15. VTO–810750 Power Output, Frequency
and Modulation Sensitivity vs. Tuning Voltage.
12
11
11.5
10
9
246810
200
100
13
9.5
10.5
11 300
POWER OUTPUT
TUNING CURVE
MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
7
Test Fixtures for
TO-8 Packages
(TF 801/802)
Oscillators (VTO)
Features
• DC to 11 GHz Frequency
Range
• Connectorized Tuning Port
and RF Output
• Easy to Test Package
• Repeatable Performance
Applications
• Engineering
Characterization
• Incoming Inspection
• System Prototype
• Demonstration of Device
Performance
Description
To facilitate testing and
prototyping of products in the
TO-8V package, a series of test
fixtures is available. Designated
the TF Series test fixtures, they
feature rugged construction for
precise, repeatable
measurements.
The TF Series test fixtures come
supplied with mounting hardware
to ensure excellent ground
contact between the oscillator
package and test fixture. This
assures excellent contact between
package pins and test fixture
connector pins for reliable testing.
The device under test is aligned
according to Figure 15, and
pushed fully down onto the
fixture. The steel mounting ring
clamp is placed over the device
under test and secured by ma-
chine screws prior to testing.
Orientation of pins can be verified
by comparison with part (c) of
Figure 15. It is recommended that
both machine screws be used to
fasten the ring clamp. Screws
should be tightened down snugly
with a jewelers type screwdriver.
For different connector options
check the table in Figure 15 to
identify the correct part numbers.
It should be noted that some
output power variation may be
seen, from unit data, at frequen-
cies above 8 GHz. This is
due to small differences in lengths
of test fixture RF output
connector pins.
Figure 15. TO-8 Test Fixture.
GROUND
TUNING VOLTAGE
.150
TYP
.300
TYP
CASE
GROUND
.150
TYP
RFOUT
34
21
.45
+ TUNING
VOLTAGE
+DC VOLTAGE
(Bottom View)
GROUND
RFOUT
(c)
+ TUNING
VOLTAGE
PIN
GROUND TAB ON PACKAGE
VDC
DCPIN
TUNING VOLTAGE
CONNECTOR
POWER INPUT
CONNECTOR
.35
.35
.35
.70
(b)(a)
.15
.45
.83
.55
VTO IN
PLACE
RFOUT
GROUND
.53
.65
.20
CONNECTOR OPTIONS
SERIES
TF-801
TUNING
VOLTAGE
SMA
RF
OUTPUT
SMA
www.semiconductor.agilent.com
Data subject to change.
Copyright © 2000 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Obsoletes 5964-9815E
5980-1278E (6/00)
