RF signal Limiters and Detectors

PIN-PIN limiters | PIN-Schottky Limiters | High Reliability Limiters | Limiting Amplifiers

RF Signal Limiters
RF & Microwave limiters are used to detect low level signals and therefore require high gain, sensitive circuits at the input to reduce the noise floor. Due to the sensitive nature, these circuits are often susceptible to damage if exposed to high level signals.

PIN diode limiters are designed to protect power-sensitive microwave components in a receiver chain such as Mixers, Detectors, and Low Noise Amplifiers against damage from high-power CW and pulsed-microwave signals. PIN diodes are commonly used because they can handle high power signals and provide reasonable leakage. A limiter prevents overload by allowing RF signals that are below certain threshold to pass through, but larger signals exceeding the threshold are increasingly attenuated.

RF Detectors
An RF Detectors monitors or samples the output of an RF circuit and develops a DC output voltage (Video Out) proportional to the power at that point. RF Detectors are used primarily to measure and control RF power in RF & Microwave systems. The principle of diode detection is rectifying the signal (AC component) through a diode and generating voltage as a DC component.

Power measurement and control are important because RF power, rather than voltage, is the primary measure of a wired or wireless signal. Detectors monitor the output level of a power amplifier in a radio transmitter. Detectors indicate the presence or absence of an RF signal and detectors are important for maintaining the range of reliability of a radio link.

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