@article{10902/10084, year = {2015}, month = {12}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10902/10084}, abstract = {This paper presents an in-depth analysis of a recently proposed frequency divider by two, which is based on a parallel connection of varactor-inductor cells, in a differential operation at the subharmonic frequency. The analytical study of a single-cell divider enables the derivation of a real equation governing the circuit at the frequency-division threshold. This equation is used for a detailed investigation of the impact of the circuit elements on the input-amplitude threshold and the frequency bandwidth. Insight provided by the analytical formulation enables the derivation of a thorough synthesis methodology for multiple-cell dividers, usable in harmonic balance with an auxiliary generator at the divided frequency. Two different applications of this topology are demonstrated: a dual-phase divider and a dual-band frequency divider. The former is obtained by using Marchand balun to deliver 180 ° phase-shifted signals to the two dividers. On the other hand, the dual-band divider is based on a novel configuration which combines cells with parallel varactors and cells with series varactors. Departing from the optimization procedure of the single-band divider, a simple synthesis method is presented to center the two division bands at the desired values. The techniques have been applied to three prototypes at 2.15 GHz, 1.85 GHz, and 1.75 GHz/3.95 GHz, respectively.}, organization = {This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under project TEC2014-60283-C3-1-R and by the Parliament and University of Cantabria under the project Cantabria Explora 12-JP02-640.69}, publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}, publisher = {IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2015, 63(12), 4458-4472}, title = {Optimized design of frequency dividers based on varactor-inductor cells}, author = {Pontón Lobete, María Isabel and Suárez Rodríguez, Almudena}, }