Spin Transfer Torque Driven Coupled Oscillators for Self-Oscillating RF Mixers

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of coupled spin transfer torque oscillators as self-oscillating RF mixers, leveraging their tunability and phase noise improvements for potential RF signal processing applications.

Contribution

It proposes a novel application of coupled STO networks as RF mixers, analyzing their key performance parameters for the first time.

Findings

Coupled STOs can achieve significant phase noise reduction.

The proposed mixers demonstrate promising conversion gain and output power.

Linearity of the coupled STO mixers is suitable for RF applications.

Abstract

Spin transfer torque oscillators (STOs) based on magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices are emerging as a possible replacement for complementary metal-oxide semiconductors for radio-frequency (RF) signal generation. Advantages include low power consumption, small device area, and large frequency tunability. But such a single device cannot achieve the necessary noise performance for RF applications. It has been reported lately that a network of globally coupled STOs achieves significant improvement in phase noise. The study here is to propose use of such coupled STOs as self-oscillating RF mixers. Critical mixer performance parameters, including conversion gain, output power, and linearity, are discussed.