Title :
High-performance microstrip directional coupler for radio-astronomical receivers at cryogenic temperature
Author :
Valente, G. ; Montisci, G. ; Mariotti, S.
Author_Institution :
INAF - Oss. Astron. di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
Abstract :
A microstrip directional coupler with high directivity is proposed for microwave applications requiring a weak coupling factor. This component has been used in the L-band radio-astronomical receiver of the Sardinia radio telescope. To improve the performance of the receiver, the operating temperature is lowered to 20 K. An in-house cryostat has been manufactured to perform measurements on the directional coupler, and very good agreement with the design specification is achieved.
Keywords :
cryogenic electronics; cryostats; microstrip directional couplers; radio receivers; radioastronomy; radiotelescopes; L-band radio-astronomical receiver; Sardinia radio telescope; cryogenic temperature; high-performance microstrip directional coupler; in-house cryostat; microwave coupler; weak coupling factor;
Journal_Title :
Electronics Letters
DOI :
10.1049/el.2014.0078