Oscillator circuit

A negative resistance effect in conjunction with a resonant circuit produces oscillations at high power levels (high for semiconductors).

Oscillator circuit and heavily doped P and N layers

The resonant circuit in the schematic diagram of Figure above is the lumped circuit equivalent of a waveguide section, where the IMPATT diode is mounted. DC reverse bias is applied through a choke which keeps RF from being lost in the bias supply. This may be a section of waveguide known as a bias Tee. Low power RADAR transmitters may use an IMPATT diode as a power source. They are too noisy for use in the receiver.