Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/5816-new-waves-radar-antenna

New Waves: Radar/Antenna

January 17, 2008

High-power L-band Radar Amplifier

The Aethercomm Model SSPA 1.2-1.4-200 is a high power, pulsed RF amplifier that is employed in military L-band radar systems and operates from 1200 to 1400 MHz. This PA was designed for L-band radars on fighter aircraft but can be employed in any system. The nominal peak input power is 0 dBm for the 200 W minimum peak output power. The amplifier employs a pulse width and duty cycle limiter to ensure no damage if the input is CW. RF rise and fall times are typically 40 ns. Harmonics are –50 dBc typical and in band spurs are < –70 dBc. Nominal pulse conditions are 10–100 μs but longer pulses can be utilized. The power flatness across the band is ±0.6 dB. Input and output VSWR is 1.5:1, typically.

Aethercomm Inc.
San Marcos, CA
(760) 598-4340
www.aethercomm.com

RS No. 216


X-band Synthesizer

Rodelco Electronics has designed a custom X-band synthesizer for airborne military radar applications. The unit incorporates a C-band VCO, frequency divider and PLL circuitry to generate a synthesized C-band frequency that is then doubled to X-band. The microprocessor-controlled synthesizer delivers low phase noise and good spurious suppression while providing a leveled output power of +20 dBm over a 15 percent bandwidth at X-band.

Rodelco Electronics Corp.
Ronkonkoma, NY
(631) 981-0900
www.rodelcocorp.com

RS No. 217

Double-ridged Guide Horn Antenna

A double-ridged guide horn antenna that offers a frequency range of 1 to 18 GHz is available from Schaffner EMC Inc. The versatile BHA 9118 is a linearly polarized, broadband antenna ideal for a wide range applications, particularly RF and EMC measurements to MIL, SAE, IEEE, IEC and FCC standards. The BHA 9118 can be used for both receiving (emissions) and transmitting (immunity) in chambers or open area test sites (OATS). It incorporates a precision “N" connector that provides good power handling capability and low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). The antenna has a field strength capability of 250 V/m at 1 m, and a high typical gain of 5.5–15 dBi.

Schaffner EMC Inc.
Edison, NJ
(732) 225-9533
www.schaffnerusa.com

RS No. 218

Radar-optimized Oscilloscope Cards

Strategic Test has introduced a Multiple Recording (MR) option for its UF2 family of 66 MHz PCI-based oscilloscope/digitizer cards. Primarily intended for recording radar signals, the MR option can be used to record any high-speed series of waveforms such as sonar, ultrasound and laser. The MR option allows an engineer to acquire a fast series of waveforms with a high repetition rate without restarting the hardware during the short dead time (usually only a few milliseconds) between waveforms. Each channel has its own trigger detection with level, edge, re-arm, window and steepness trigger.

Strategic Test Corp.
Woburn, MA
(617) 621-0080
www.strategic-test.com

RS No. 219

Space-based W-band Multiplier

Spacek Labs’ Model A3X2X91F W-band multiplier assembly is available space qualified and is made entirely of Spacek Labs components. The A3X2X91F consists of a X2 frequency multiplier feeding a power amplifier followed by a X3 frequency multiplier. A combination high-pass/low-pass waveguide filter provides suppression of unwanted harmonics for this W-band multiplier. This LO source multiplier drove the Spacek Labs manufactured mixers for the transmitter and receiver front-end of the CloudSat Program Cloud Profiling Radar.

Spacek Labs
Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 564-4404
www.spaceklabs.com

RS No. 220

L-band LNA

Advanced Microwave has introduced its WLA2052 low-cost, L-band LNA. The WLA2052 exhibits extremely low noise figure of 1.0 dB typical, 1.3 dB max from 0.4 to 2.0 GHz. The IP3 is +40 dBm at 1.0 GHz; +36 dBm min. The LNA also offers an internal regulator and DC reverse voltage protection. DC supply is provided through the output SMA connector or an external pin as an option. Due to the extremely low-noise and high IP3, this LNA is ideally suited as an antenna mount front-end amplifier and can accept high levels of multiple signals with minimal distortion or minimal intermodulation product.

Advanced Microwave Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 739-4214
www.advmic.com

RS No. 221

SRD Ceramic Chip Antenna

The 0868AT43A0020 antenna from Johanson Technology Inc. (JTI) was designed for the popular European 868 MHz Short Range Device (SRD) band, ETSI EN 300 220. This ceramic chip antenna provides a cost-effective solution for space-constrained applications, such as RFID and Zigbee. The antenna is very compact (7 x 2 x 0.8 mm) and offers excellent performance with an average gain of –4.0 dBi (XZ-total), with PCB assemblies as small as 50 x 20 mm.

Johanson Technology
Camarillo, CA
(805) 389-1166
www.johansontechnology.com

RS No. 222

Millimeter-wave Directional Couplers

Narda Microwave, an L-3 Communications company, has introduced a family of directional couplers for frequency ranges from 1 to 40 GHz. They are intended for electronic warfare, radar, communications and test equipment applications. The Model 4018-20 covers 18 to 40 GHz with coupling of 20 dB ±1.25 dB, frequency sensitivity of ±0.8 dB and insertion loss of 1.45 dB, and can handle input powers of 30 W average and 3 kW peak. The Model 4018-10 also covers 18 to 40 GHz, with coupling of 10 dB ±1.25 dB, frequency sensitivity of ±0.8 dB, insertion loss of 2.0 dB, and a power handling ability of 30 W average and 3 kW peak. Both couplers have maximum input and output VSWR of 1.9:1, directivity of 12 dB, and weigh only 1 oz. The Model 4229-10 covers 1 to 40 GHz with coupling of 10 dB ±1.5 dB, frequency sensitivity of ±1.0 dB, insertion loss of 2.4 dB, and power handling ability of 20 W average and 3 kW peak. Directivity is at least 12 dB and maximum input and output VSWR is 1.75 dB.

Narda Microwave
Hauppauge, NY
(631) 231-1700
www.nardamicrowave.com

RS No. 223


Components

MMIC Receiver and Transmitter Chipset

Mimix Broadband Inc. introduced surface mount technology (SMT) packaged gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) receiver and transmitter devices that cover the 10 to 18 GHz frequency bands. The receiver has a noise figure of 2.7 dB and 20 dB image rejection across the band. The transmitter has a +11 dBm output P1dB, 8 dB conversion gain and 15 dB image rejection across the band. The receiver integrates an image reject mixer, an LO buffer amplifier and a low noise amplifier. The transmitter integrates a balanced, image-reject mixer, an LO buffer amplifier and an output RF amplifier. This receiver and transmitter pair, identified as XR1007-QD and XU1005-QD respectively, is well suited for wireless communications applications such as millimeter-wave point-to-point radio, local multipoint distribution services (LMDS), SATCOM and VSAT applications.

Mimix Broadband Inc.
Houston, TX
(281) 988-4600
www.mimixbroadband.com

RS No. 224

High Reliability Mixer

Mini-Circuits introduces the ADE-R10+ high reliability mixer. It features a proven diode quad in a hermitically sealed package and operates over a wideband of 10 to 1000 MHz with an LO power of 7 dBm. It has a high L-R isolation of 44 to 70 dB typical over the entire band which results in excellent carrier rejection in applications such as I&Q demodulators, and reduces filtering requirement in receivers/transmitters. It has a wide IF bandwidth of DC-800 MHz, making it suitable for applications such as phase detectors, up/down converters etc.

Mini-Circuits
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 934-4500
www.minicircuits.com

RS No. 225

EMI-filtered Audio Connectors

Spectrum Control Inc. has modified the standard MIL-DTL-55116 connectors that are used in 60-volt audio frequency circuits with 0.5 amps of current to provide effective EMI filtering. Spectrum’s connectors are waterproof and polarized, five or six pin electrical plugs/receptacles and can be designed for special and selectively loaded EMI filtering. These custom filtered connectors are ideal for military and civilian communication applications where harsh conditions are present. Spectrum’s custom EMI filtered audio connectors have a capacitance value range of 10 pF–1 mF and are available in C and Pi circuit configurations.

Spectrum Control Inc.
Fairview, PA
(814) 474-0325
www.specemc.com

RS No. 226

DC-to-50 GHz Coaxial Adapter

The Krytar Model 3031 (within Series) DC-to-50-GHz coaxial adapter has a voltage standing wave ratio (maximum) of 1.10 from DC to 27.0 GHz, 1.15 from 27.0 to 40 GHz and 1.20 from 40 to 50 GHz. Multiple connector configurations are available. Delivery time from stock is up to 30 days. Complete specifications, application ideas, technical notes and outline dimensions are available from the Krytar website.

Krytar
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 734-5999
www.krytar.com

RS No. 227

DC Blocking-impedance Matching Pads

BroadWave’s Model 851879FMB is a 50 to 75 Ω impedance matching pad with a built-in DC block that eliminates impedance discontinuity (mismatches) and block DC current without introducing reflection to the circuit. This 1-watt device operates at 30 to 3000 MHz with SMA female/F male connectors. The VSWR is 1.30:1 and nominal insertion loss is 5.7 dB. Custom units are available in a variety of impedance and connector types operating up to 3 GHz. BroadWave Technologies impedance matching pads preserve signal integrity by matching virtually any transmission line.

BroadWave Technologies Inc.
Franklin, IN
(317) 346-6101
www.broadwavetech.com

RS No. 228

High-power Surface-mount Ceramic Filter

Lark has engineered a new High Power Surface Mount Ceramic Filter (SDP). This series is capable of handling up to 50 W and offers a frequency range of 1800 to 2200 MHz with a passband of 60 MHz, 0.35 dB insertion loss (maximum), 17 dBc return loss (minimum) and 0.2dB (maximum) Pk-to-Pk ripple in the passband. Rejection Fc ±430 MHz is 20 dBc (minimum) in a 0.75 x 1.09 x 0.62 in. package.

Lark Engineering Co.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 240-1233
www.larkengineering.com

RS No. 229

High-power Splitter/Combiner

The Model PmT-PD00506 is a high-power 0.5 to 6 GHz power splitter that has a phase and amplitude tracking of 2° and 0.2 dB, respectively. It can handle 500W CW and measures 5.5 x 2 x 0.7 in. It exhibits low insertion loss and high isolation.

Princeton Microwave Technology Inc.
Mercerville, NJ
(609) 586 8140
www.princetonmicrowave.com

RS No. 230

High-power Surface-mount Isolators

Renaissance Electronics Corp. (REC) has introduced a new line of one-inch square, surface-mount coplanar circulators and isolators for high-power applications (SMC Series). These circulators are distinguished by superior high power performance in the congested multi-carrier environment. Models are available in typical bandwidths of 10 to 15 percent with isolation of > 22 dB and insertion loss of < 0.35 dB.

Renaissance Electronics Corp.
Harvard, MA
(978) 772-7774
www.rec-usa.com

RS No. 231

High-current High-side Gate Driver

Fairchild Semiconductor’s FAN7371 high-voltage gate driver IC (HVIC) with 4A current driving capability provides wide high-side driver operation with negative VS swings of up to –9.8 V (at VBS = 15 V), robust positive and negative VB and an innovative common-mode dv/dt noise canceling circuit. Designed for driving MOSFETs and IGBTs in a wide array of applications up to 600 V including plasma display panel (PDP), high intensity discharge (HID) lighting, induction heating and other general purpose inverter applications, the FAN7371 providing stable performance against fluctuating temperatures in harsh environments. It increases reliability by providing under-voltage lockout (UVLO) for VBS and a built-in 25 V shunt regulator.

Fairchild Semiconductor
Korea, Bucheon, Korea
+82-32-680-1961
www.fairchildsemi.com

RS No. 232

GPS Dual Filter

Reactel part number 2DF-1227/1575-M is a moderately narrow-band dual filter that passes both the L1 and L2 GPS frequencies. It is the perfect unit for applications that are utilizing both of these GPS bands simultaneously, yet can only tolerate a two-port device. This small unit features loss of less than 3 dB and isolation in excess of 30 dB.

Reactel Inc.
Gaithersburg, MD
(301) 519-3660
www.reactel.com

RS No. 242

Elliptic Bandpass Filter

Lorch Microwave’s 13BP5-137.5/X80-S is an elliptic bandpass filter with amplitude and phase equalizers to achieve 0.5 dB flat passband and ±5° phase linearity from 97.5 to 177.5 MHz. The filter features 3 dB nominal bw of 100 MHz. Rejection is 35 dB min at 77.5 MHz and 30 dB min at 195 MHz. The VSWR is 2.0:1 max across 97.5 to 177.5 MHz. The physical size is 4.5 x 1.25 x 1.0, excluding SMA-female connectors.

Lorch Microwave
Salisbury, MD
(410) 860-5100
www.lorch.com

RS No. 243

High-power UHF Notch Filter

K & L Microwave’s WSN-00278 is a notch filter optimized for very steep skirts and for low-loss. By exploiting mixed technologies, such as TEM resonators, suspended-substrate strip-lines and lumped components, the filter exhibits the best trade-offs of performance to volume ratio. There are several applications for this filter, ranging from rejecting signals at around 500 MHz from a nearby Tx antenna, to eliminating an unwanted harmonic from a transmitter, while the rest of the spectrum remains unaffected.

K & L Microwave
Salisbury, MD
(410) 749-2424
www.klmicrowave.com

RS No. 244


Amplifiers

Solid-state Power Amplifier

The BC Systems Inc. Advanced RF Amplifier Model BCPA-225-450-100C is suitable for delivering reliable output power over the instantaneous frequency range of 225 to 450 MHz. The power amplifier (PA) is ideal for military communications, SATCOM, UHF LOS, DAMA and ECCM waveforms. The PA utilizes the latest in silicon LDMOS push-pull RF devices. The PA is fully self-protected from load VSWR, over temperature, out of band and input over drive.

BC Power Systems
Setauket, NY
(631)-751-9370
www.bcpowersys.com

RS No. 234

Connectorized Low-noise Amplifier Module

Hittite Microwave Corp. has introduced a new connectorized GaAs MMIC Low Noise Amplifier Module for a wide range of applications from 1.8 to 4.2 GHz. It combines the attributes of high gain, high output IP3 and high P1dB output power with a 0.7 dB noise figure. The HMC-C045 Low Noise Amplifier Module operates from 1.8 to 4.2 GHz, provides 26 dB of gain, and up to +26 dBm output IP3 and +15.5 dBm of output power at 1 dB compression, while operating from a single positive supply between +8 and +15 V.

Hittite Microwave Corp.
Chelmsford, MA
(978) 250-3343
www.hittite.com

RS No. 233

High-efficiency, Small-size 40/45 dB DLVA

American Microwave Corp. is offering the Model LVD-910-85 Option N-EGG high-efficiency, small-size 40/45 dB Detector Logarithmic Video Amplifier (DLVA) with picowatt sensitivity. It operates over the frequency range of 9.3 to 10.8 GHz. This DLVA has a logging range of –80 to –40/–35 dBm (TSS –85 dBm), minimum, with a linearity error of less than ±0.75 dB and a frequency flatness of ±1.0 dB. Rise and recovery times are 1.5 μs, maximum. Other octave band or 2 to 18 GHz units are available.

American Microwave Corp.
Frederick, MD
(301) 662-4700
www.americanmicrowavecorp.com

RS No. 235

Solid-state Linear Amplifier

Comtech PST’s Model BME158258-50 is a Class AB linear amplifier that operates over the full 1500 to 2500 MHz frequency range with output power of 50 W. The amplifier is very compact (6.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.) and weighs only 2 lb.

Comtech PST
Melville, NY
(631) 777-8900
www.comtechpst.com

RS No. 237


Sources

Wide-range VCO

Crystek’s CVCO55CW-1600-3200 VCO operates from 1600 to 3200 MHz with a control voltage range of 0.5~20 V. This VCO fea-tures a typical phase noise of –93 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset and has excellent linearity. The model CVCO55CW-1600-3200 is packaged in the industry standard 0.5 x 0.5 in. SMD package. Input voltage is 5.0 V, with a max current consumption of 25 mA. Pulling and pushing are minimized to 8.00 MHz and 4.00 MHz/V, respectively. Second harmonic suppression is –15 dBc typical.

Crystek Corp.
Ft. Myers, FL
(239) 561-3311
www.crystek.com

RS No. 238

PLL Frequency Synthesizer

EM Research’s Thor Series frequency synthesizers are supplied as VCO-based fixed-frequency or serially programmable precision phase-locked frequency oscillators. Designed to cover a frequency range (in bands) from 50 MHz to 14 GHz and featuring very low power consumption, the THOR Series products are available with internal or external frequency references for stability, and exhibit exceptionally low phase noise characteristics.

EM Research Inc.
Reno, NV
(775) 345-2411
www.emresearch.com

RS No. 239

Low-power OCXO

Valpey Fisher Corp. introduced the VFOV400 Series OCXO that offers extremely low power consumption (120 mW), 35 second warm up time, ±5 ppb stability and exceptional phase noise in a very compact package. The VFOV400 series OCXO offers a wide frequency range from 5 to 250 MHz. It is available with an HCMOS or SINEWAVE output and a supply voltage of either 3.3 or 5.0 V. Furthermore, the VFOV400 is designed with a robust four-point crystal mount to resist any sensitivity to vibration.

Valpey Fisher Corp.
Hopkinton, MA
(800) 982-5757
www.valpeyfisher.com

RS No. 240

Low Phase Noise OCXO

MtronPTI introduced a 100 MHz OCXO featuring close-in phase noise performance. The XO5125 offers –130 dBc performance at 100 Hz offset as well as –70 and –100 dBc performance at 1 and 10 Hz offset, respectively. The phase noise performance along with the ±10 ppb stability performance over –40° to 80° C in a Euro Standard package supports many applications including automated test equipment (ATE), radar, communications and instrumentation. Other features of the XO5125 that meet a variety of market needs are the 2E-9 g-sensitivity, –168 dBc noise floor, 5E-7 aging and 7 dBm minimum sine wave output.

MtronPTI
Yankton, SD
(605) 665-9321
www.mtronpti.com

RS No. 241


Subsystem

High-dynamic Block Downconverter

MITEQ’s Model LNB4044N01T is part of a line of low-noise (less than 3.3 dB), high-dynamic block downconverters. The LNB4044N01T incorporates a fixed frequency phase-locked LO to convert the 40 to 44 GHz RF to a 1 to 5 GHz IF band. These converters are packaged in a 5 x 5 in. ruggedized aluminum housing with flange mount and integrated waveguide input.

MITEQ Inc.
Hauppauge, NY
(631) 436-7400
www.miteq.com

RS No. 245


Test Equipment

Extreme Temperature Probing Solution for Oscilloscopes

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced a probing solution for making oscilloscope measurements in environmental chambers and in other settings with extreme temperature conditions. The Agilent N5450A InfiniiMax extreme-temperature extension cable, used with the InfiniiMax Series probing system and Agilent Infiniium oscilloscopes, gives engineers the ability to probe signals at temperatures ranging from –55 ° to 150° C.

Agilent Technologies Inc.
Santa Clara, CA
(800) 829-4444
www.agilent.com

RS No. 247

Test Capability for RF Analyzers

Anritsu introduces the CDMA2000 1xEV-DO analysis capability for its MT8820B/ MT8815B Radio Communication Analyzers that allow for faster and more efficient testing of Rev. 0 and Rev. A terminals. The MT8820B-005/MT8815B-005 1xEV-DO Measurement Hardware, MX882006C 1xEV-DO Measurement Software, MX882006C-002 1xEV-DO External Packet Data, and MX882006C-011 1xEV-DO Rev. A Measurement Software options enhance the testing capabilities of the MT8820B/MT8815B analyzers to provide manufacturers with a single-instrument test tool for conducting call-processing, RF Tx/Rx, and data transfer tests of 1xEV-DO terminals.

Anritsu Americas (Sales Office)
Richardson, TX
(972) 761-4625
www.anritsu.com

RS No. 246