Receiver Protectors
Product Bulletins
CPI’s Beverly Microwave Division (CPI BMD) has been designing and manufacturing receiver protector products at its Beverly, Massachusetts location continuously for over 60 years. CPI BMD is the largest and most sophisticated manufacturer of such products in the world today. Current designs span the spectrum from low-frequency coaxial limiters to complete pre-TR, TR limiters with attenuation and phase control at Ka-Band. CPI BMD's products are manufactured in all transmission line types, including waveguide, coax, stripline and microstrip.
Advances in computer-aided modeling techniques have made it possible for CPI BMD to achieve performance levels that would have been unheard of only a few years ago. CPI BMD's modern and extensive low- and high-power test facilities allow for complete verification of specified performance parameters.
Articles relating to receiver protector theory and application may be found in the Technical Library on this website.
The RP Specification Sheet (see link above under Related Documents) may be useful to help you generate a list of desired specifications for your application.
Examples of some of CPI BMD’s many receiver protectors are described in data sheets that are accessible through the Product Bulletins (see link at top of page). Please contact CPI BMD for your specific requirements.
The attenuation function is part of the diode limiter section of the RP. Depending on the nature and amount of attenuation desired, it may be possible to use the limiter diodes in a dual role: passive limiting and controlled attenuation. Thus, it may be possible to add the attenuation function to the RP with little or no increase in insertion loss. Additional diode stages are usually required when the attenuation function is tightly toleranced over a broad band. Even then, the increase in insertion loss is usually less than what could be achieved with a separate attenuator component.
The basic nature of a diode attenuator is a continuous, but nonlinear, attenuation versus bias current characteristic. Depending upon bandwidth and tolerance requirements, each diode stage can provide up to 20 dB of attenuation. With the use of specially designed drivers, the basic attenuation versus current characteristic can be converted into many other types of attenuation versus control function. Step attenuators and linearized functions are possible. Control methods include analog voltage control and digital words. It is also possible to design an attenuator with a programmed, time varying function. Temperature compensation is a key aspect of attenuator design. By far, the best (and only real) way to temperature compensate a diode attenuator is with the driver circuit. Direct temperature compensation of the microwave attenuator is much less effective. For this reason, in order to achieve optimum performance, it is vital that the attenuator be designed with an integral driver. This gives the component manufacturer the ability to tailor the driver design and optimize the driver/RF circuit interface in a way in which would otherwise be impossible.
The links above connect to information on some typical products. Please contact CPI BMD with your specific needs.
Tel: +1 (978) 922-6000 or +1 (978) 922-6004
Email:
Advances in computer-aided modeling techniques have made it possible for CPI BMD to achieve performance levels that would have been unheard of only a few years ago. CPI BMD's modern and extensive low- and high-power test facilities allow for complete verification of specified performance parameters.
Articles relating to receiver protector theory and application may be found in the Technical Library on this website.
The RP Specification Sheet (see link above under Related Documents) may be useful to help you generate a list of desired specifications for your application.
Examples of some of CPI BMD’s many receiver protectors are described in data sheets that are accessible through the Product Bulletins (see link at top of page). Please contact CPI BMD for your specific requirements.
Controlled Attenuation
One of the most common ways in which to achieve greater functionality is to incorporate a controlled attenuation function into a receiver protector (RP). This function may be used to perform sensitivity time control (STC) in a radar system.The attenuation function is part of the diode limiter section of the RP. Depending on the nature and amount of attenuation desired, it may be possible to use the limiter diodes in a dual role: passive limiting and controlled attenuation. Thus, it may be possible to add the attenuation function to the RP with little or no increase in insertion loss. Additional diode stages are usually required when the attenuation function is tightly toleranced over a broad band. Even then, the increase in insertion loss is usually less than what could be achieved with a separate attenuator component.
The basic nature of a diode attenuator is a continuous, but nonlinear, attenuation versus bias current characteristic. Depending upon bandwidth and tolerance requirements, each diode stage can provide up to 20 dB of attenuation. With the use of specially designed drivers, the basic attenuation versus current characteristic can be converted into many other types of attenuation versus control function. Step attenuators and linearized functions are possible. Control methods include analog voltage control and digital words. It is also possible to design an attenuator with a programmed, time varying function. Temperature compensation is a key aspect of attenuator design. By far, the best (and only real) way to temperature compensate a diode attenuator is with the driver circuit. Direct temperature compensation of the microwave attenuator is much less effective. For this reason, in order to achieve optimum performance, it is vital that the attenuator be designed with an integral driver. This gives the component manufacturer the ability to tailor the driver design and optimize the driver/RF circuit interface in a way in which would otherwise be impossible.
Excess Noise Generation
Noise diodes, with or without an associated driver, can be added to the RP or switch to provide excess noise for system calibration purposes. Typically, 10 to 15 dB of excess noise, with a tolerance of +/- 2 dB, is achievable with no increase in component insertion loss.Status and Fault Monitoring
Various type of static and dynamic fault monitoring circuits may be incorporated into RP and switch designs. Units with drivers can be designed to send signals to the system which indicate a unit’s status and if it is functioning normally. These signals may also be used to enable the transmitter. It is also possible to incorporate detector circuits into RPs which will give an end of life indication.The links above connect to information on some typical products. Please contact CPI BMD with your specific needs.
Tel: +1 (978) 922-6000 or +1 (978) 922-6004
Email: