DON'T MISS NEXT WEEK'S WEBINAR: Wideband Frequency Conversion and Characterization, February 2
Thursday, February 2, 14:00-15:00 EST | 19:00-20:00 UTC

The frequency converter is a key component in heterodyne systems including radars, communication systems, and EW systems. Advanced electronic systems utilize wide instantaneous bandwidth and wide tuning bandwidth for several reasons. In radar, bandwidth translates into range resolution, while in communications applications, bandwidth is related to symbol data rate. Electronic warfare (EW) deals with either protecting, disrupting or intercepting these radar or communications functions. For example, LPI waveforms utilize wide bandwidth with either frequency hopping or spreading. A wideband, fast tuning jammer or receiver is necessary to counter LPI waveforms in radar or comms applications.

This webinar discusses common frequency converter architectures and design tradeoffs, including multi-stage frequency conversion. We discuss unique features of upconversion systems versus downconverters. Example discussed include X-band (8-12 GHz) converters, 2-18 converters and Ka-band converters with up to 1 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth. We also discuss digital conversion systems, which when combined with wideband frequency converters give rise to system applications such as digital receiver/exciters (DREXs), communication modems and digital RF memories (DRFMs). Characterization of wideband frequency conversion systems will be discussed, with an emphasis on measurement of key parameters such as spurious-free dynamic range, P1dB, IP3, phase noise, harmonics and LO leakage. Finally, we discuss phase coherence of a multi-channel frequency conversion system, which is useful in phased array, MIMO and direction-finding (DF) applications.

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