Title :
A low-cost uniplanar sampling down-converter with internal local oscillator, pulse generator, and IF amplifier
Author :
Lee, Jeong S. ; Nguyen, Cam
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX, USA
fDate :
2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
In this paper, we report on the development of a new integrated-circuit sampling down-converter having its own pulse generator, local oscillator (LO), and IF amplifier. The internal pulse generator uses a step recovery diode together with a unique ultra-wide-band hybrid junction to generate sub-nanosecond balanced pulses for gating the sampling diodes. The down-converter exhibits a conversion gain from 12 to 15.5 dB over an RF frequency of 0.01-3 GHz with 10-MHz LO and sampling pulses of about 100 ps. Return loss at the RF port is better than 15 dB over this RF bandwidth. The down-converter exhibits a good linearity and low harmonic levels. This down-converter employs a coplanar waveguide and slot line to make the entire circuit uniplanar and is, thus, suitable for low-cost production. In addition, if has an internal pulse generator, LO, and IF amplifier, making it a compact receiver subsystem, which can readily be used in many microwave systems
Keywords :
UHF integrated circuits; UHF mixers; coplanar waveguides; pulse generators; receivers; slot lines; 0.01 to 3 GHz; 10 MHz; 12 to 15.5 dB; 15 dB; CPW; RF integrated circuit; RFIC; compact receiver subsystem; coplanar waveguide; internal IF amplifier; internal LO; internal local oscillator; internal pulse generator; low-cost down-converter; sampling diode gating; slot line; step recovery diode; sub-nanosecond balanced pulses; ultra-wide-band hybrid junction; uniplanar sampling down-converter; Diodes; Hybrid junctions; Hybrid power systems; Local oscillators; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse generation; Radio frequency; Radiofrequency amplifiers; Sampling methods; Ultra wideband technology;
Journal_Title :
Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on
