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The harmonic balance technique is known as a time-frequency simulation technique used for the study of large signal regimes of microwave circuits driven in forced oscillation. The technique can be adapted to self-sustained oscillations, especially for wind musical instruments such as clarinets. The resonator (i.e., the instrument body) is the linear part, treated in the frequency domain, while the driving system (the reed) is the nonlinear part, treated in the time domain. The harmonic balance method is shown to connect the results of two known methods, so-called weakly nonlinear (in frequency domain) and strongly nonlinear (in time domain). The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.

International audienceThis paper presents a design method for phaselocked devices such as frequency dividers or injection-locked oscillators. The method requires a full nonlinear analysis of the circuit. This analysis relies upon harmonic balance techniques and is suitable for monolithic circuits simulation. First, a modified formulation of the general harmonic balance equation is proposed which includes the presence of probes. These probes allow us to suppress the degenerated solution of the HB equation in autonomous cases. Moreover, a global stability analysis of phaselocked regimes is carried out. It provides invaluable information on the nonlinear behavior of the device. In particular, synchronization bandwidths as well as power ranges for which the circuit can be synchronized are obtained from the stability loci drawn in the parameter space. All these features have been used to design a broadband monolithic frequency divider, and the simulated and experimental results have been compared with very good accuracy. Therefore, the method proposed is a very useful tool for the design of potentially unstable circuit