Down Converter Hardware Development in a PXI (PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Extensions for Instrumentation) Form Factor

The objective of Phase I is to assess the feasibility of designing a 100 kHz – 26.5 GHz down-converter that meets the size and performance goals. The primary focus of the investigation will be directed to the size reduction task since the performance requirements are within the current state of the art. For this proposal, we have developed top level designs for the frequency converter applications described below. During Phase I, we will develop more detailed designs that can be used to estimate power budget, size, and performance. We will investigate state-of-the-art of components for device realization including conventional mixers, sampling mixers, step-recovery diodes, non-linear delay lines, track and hold circuits, analog-to-digital converters, filters, oscillators, and synthesizers. When dealing with developing technology, there are always performance questions that can’t be answered from device specifications. We have already conducted both theoretical and empirical investigation of a number of frequency conversion technologies for their suitability for use in our commercial phase noise measurement instruments. We plan to continue this investigation by building and evaluating prototype hardware during Phase I.BENEFITS: There are many applications for small wideband frequency converters including the test/measurement/automation applications that motivated this request for proposal but also span a variety of operational applications. In the test and measurement field, one would include spectrum analysis, network analysis, time-domain analysis, and phase noise measurements. Operationally one would include a variety of RF and microwave receivers for communications and signal intelligence applications. All of these applications have both commercial and military significance. Small size, low weight, and low power measurement equipment all enhance the portability of Automated Test Equipment.