# 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.

## Key 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.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1702.02746