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.

Sideband separating mixer

Schottky mixer

Subharmonic mixer

2SB receiver

Submm-wave receiver

Author

Peter Sobis

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

Tomas Bryllert

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

Josip Vukusic

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

Vladimir Drakinskiy

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

Serguei Cherednichenko

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

Jan Stake

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Physical Electronics

20th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology

183-189

Subject Categories

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

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Created

10/6/2017