Mini Frequency Converters Eye Microwave Communication Links

With frequency coverage from 6 to 16 GHz, the AFC series of miniature frequency converters are designed for use in terrestrial microwave links. At just 2.5" x 1.0" x 0.55", the devices are claimed as the smallest integrated assemblies available for applications such as in broadcasting and related communications. At the heart of each unit is a dielectric resonator oscillator using a GaAs FET as the active device and with the output buffered by a further GaAs FET gain stage. This microwave signal feeds into the local oscillator port of a microstrip double balanced mixer, which can act as either an upconverter or downconverter with inverting or non-inverting IF. Individual units can be mechanically tuned over ±30 MHz and once set, maintain a stability of frequency within ±120 ppm over a temperature range of -10°C to 60°C. Conversion loss from RF to IF is typically 7 dB.