Electronically-Tunable, Low Noise Ka-Band Paramp-Downconverter Satellite Communications Receiver

The K_a-band-to-UHF parametric amplifier-downconverter satellite communications receiver described herein provides less than 4 dB SSB noise figure over either electronically selectable sideband of the externally supplied- 37.5 GHz local oscillator, each of which is downconverted to a fixed 500-650 MHz IF output band. To achieve such widely tunable low noise performance, this receiver utilizes state-of-the-art varactors, a unique, solid-state pumped Ka-band paramp design and a low noise balanced mixer-transistor IF amplifier, incorporated with associated power supply and thermal stabilization in a self-contained 6" × 5" × 4" package.