Large-bandwidth diode convolver using an exceptionally uniform silicon-on-sapphire diode array

An improved diode convolver is described which uses a 150-tap lithium-niobate surface-acoustic-wave delay line and an exceptionally uniform array of silicon-on-sapphire diodes. Uniformity of the 0.012 cm spaced diodes over the 150-tap interaction region is constant within a few percent, leading to larger bandwidth and larger time-bandwidth operation than has previously been possible. Electronically variable chirp signal correlation is demonstrated with chirp bandwidth up to 20 MHz.