Rigorous Q Factor Formulation and Characterization for Nonlinear Oscillators

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the definition of Q factor for nonlinear oscillators. While available definitions of Q are often limited to linear resonators or oscillators with specific topologies, our definition is applicable to any oscillator as a figure of merit for its amplitude stability. It can be formulated rigorously and computed numerically from oscillator equations. With this definition, we calculate and analyze the Q factors of several oscillators of different types. The results confirm that the proposed Q formulation is a useful addition to the characterization techniques for oscillators.