Monolithic integration of a 5.3 GHz regenerative frequency divider using a standard bipolar technology

Abstract

A monolithic microwave frequency divider IC with an operating range of 1.4–5.3 GHz was developed and fabricated in a standard bipolar technology. The circuit operates on the principle of ‘regenerative frequency division’. Compared to the most popular divider concepts based on a master-slave D-flip-flop, an almost twice as high input frequency can be divided, provided that the same technology is used. A further advantage is the low power consumption.