Compact 340 GHz Receiver Front-Ends

Paper in proceeding, 2009

A compact 340 GHz room temperature receiver front-end has been developed consisting of a subharmonic Schottky diode mixer module with an integrated LNA. A novel sideband separation topology has been evaluated by using a pair of the developed mixers interconnected by external waveguide branch guide coupler hybrids for the LO and RF feedings and coaxial IF hybrids, measuring sideband suppression levels of 5 dB to 15 dB over the 315-365 GHz band. For efficient LO pumping of the sideband separating mixer, a novel high power LO chain based on a 5 x 34 GHz HBV quintupler (170 GHz LO source) has been developed with an ultra compact mechanical block housing, not much larger then a waveguide flange. We have also looked into a broadband medium LO power source consisting of a W-band active multiplier module, based on commercial MMIC chips from Hittite, followed by a medium power Schottky doubler from VDI. The demonstrated compact receiver front end has a considerably reduced size and weight owing to the high multiplication factor of the compact LO chain and mixer with integrated LNA. The novel sideband separating topology that uses 90 degree hybrids for both LO and RF resolves the standing wave issue of a previously proposed topology, in which a matched Y-junction was used as an RF hybrid and a branch guide coupler with a 45 degree differential line phase shifter at the output, was used for the LO feeding. The proposed topology improves both the sideband suppression and reduces the standing waves at the LO and RF ports.