All posts by Sheetal Rajput

Understanding the Features and Uses of Dielectric Resonator Oscillators

Dielectric Resonator Oscillators (DRO) are the oscillators that makes use of dielectric resonators as the frequency determining element while producing signals. These signals exhibit the features of exceptional signal stability, low micro-phonics, and high Q, making the oscillator known as a Dielectric Resonator Oscillator.

The resonant frequency of Dielectric Resonator Oscillators depends on its dielectric constant, the shape of the material used that may be rectangular or disc, and the physical dimensions of the material. In most of the cases the frequency of DRO is fixed but to get any desired result, a slight mechanical tuning can be achieved by a self-locking screw and or electrical tuning can be attained by an integrated Varactor diode.

In case of mechanical tuning, the resonant frequency can be modified by bringing a tuning screw close to the DRO. When you need to electrically tune it a mutually coupled resonant circuit is created by combining the Dielectric Resonator Oscillator to a microstrip line connected to the varactor. The resonant frequency varies according to the variation in bias voltage dependent capacitance of the varactor.

The features of Dielectric Resonator Oscillators include high Q-factor, exceptional temperature stability, very low phase noise, small size, and low cost, etc. You can place an order for a DRO at “sales@raditek.com”. A wide range of variants are available see Raditek Website.

Raditek offers Dielectric Resonant Oscillators (DRO) in the frequency range 3 to 42GHz. These Dielectric Resonant Oscillators (DRO) can be harmonically locked to either internal or external References and then are known as Phase Lock Oscillators (PLO) with low phase-noise and Stability to 5 ppm over 0 to 50°C. Raditek custom DROs use high-performance devices and deliver very low phase noise and spurious performance.

Comparing Two Solid State Power Amplifiers

Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) converts a low-power radio-frequency signal into a higher power signal. The Raditek SSPA product line was designed to use in high-end technology applications like Airborne, Radars, Missile, and Communication applications. Further, there are many types of the solid-state power amplifier including the comparison between Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) Solid State Power Amplifiers. These can be compared in many aspects and here are a few of them –

1. GaAs operates at a lower voltage, and therefore, it is used in mobile devices like mobile phones. On the other hand, GaN operates at a higher voltage, and it can be used for high power applications.

2. GaAs SSPA degrades at a higher temperature while GaN has thermal conductivity three times higher than that of the latter one. So, GaN devices can run for more extended hours even at a higher temperature.

3. Since GaAs SSPA cannot withstand higher temperature, it is not as reliable as GaN devices. GaN keeps the devices cool even after being operated for longer hours.

4. GaAs devices are again less efficient than GaN devices. It is so because GaN has a crystal lattice structure and electron mobility properties. It conducts electricity more efficiently and provides a higher level of RF efficiency. It also facilitates the reduced loss of I2R power during conduction.

5. GaAs devices are cheaper as compared to GaN. The devices having GaN are two to three times expensive than the latter one. Still, GaN is in demand because of possessing the capacity to provide desired performance.

You can purchase any of the Solid State Power Amplifier according to your requirements at the Raditek website where you can choose reliability and efficiency.

A Brief Introduction of Band Pass Filter

Filters are used in every industry in different ways and for different purposes. Similarly, BPFs (Band Pass Filters) are also used as a filter but, they filter signals instead of any physical component or data. A BPF is the combination of a HPF (High Pass Filter) and a LPF (Low Pass Filter).

In technical language, Band Pass Filter is an electronic device that let only those signals to pass through which are within a particular frequency range. It is commonly used in wireless transmitters and receivers to eliminate the signals of undesired frequencies that cause interference. There are many types of BPFs such as Wide Band Pass Filters, Narrow BPF 0, Active, Passive, Linear, Non-Linear, Time-Variant, Time-Invariant, Analog, and Digital Band Pass Filter, etc. The user can pick any of them on the basis of his requirement. Wide and Narrow BPFs are the most commonly used filters.

A Wide Band Pass Filter is formed by cascading lowpass and highpass sections in an alternative circuit. A Narro Band Pass Filter is also known as ‘Multiple Feedback Filter’ because it has two feedback paths and uses only one operational amplifier while employing multiple feedbacks.

A Band Pass Filter is applied to achieve many purposes. Here are the applications of BPF –

1. It helps to prevent the transmitter from interfering with other stations at adjacent frequencies by limiting the bandwidth of the o/p signal.

2. In a receiver, it lets only the signals of required frequency to pass.

3. It optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity.

4. It is used in Sonar, Seismology, EEGs, Electrocardiograms, lasers, LIDARS, and Audio Signal Processing, etc.

In a nutshell, a wide range of industries are taking the benefits of Band Pass Filters. Placing an order via the Raditek website is easy and, convenient for economic purchasing.

Types of Flexible Waveguide Bend

A waveguide is defined as a hollow conducting tube which transmits electromagnetic waves. These waveguide components are available in rigid and flexible forms. Rigid Waveguides cannot be bent or twisted if needed, and on the other hand, Flexible Waveguides can be bent or twisted according to their type and design. There are three primary types of flexible waveguide. One is flexible and twistable, the second is flexible non-twistable, and the third is flexible seamless. We focus on flexible and twistable these are made from a helically wound silver plated brass strip, with additional mechanical support is offered from a variety of protective jackets. These waveguide sections can flex in both the E and H planes and will also twist, making them a great solution in many different types of applications. Our Flexible Twistable Waveguides operate 2.6 to 40 GHz over thirteen frequency bands. They are typically used in misaligned waveguide systems where traditional rigid waveguide sections are not possible. Provides a cost effective solution for the satellite communications market. Flexible twistable is sealed electrically via a friction joint, the core is manufactured from preconvoluted silver clad brass strip helically wound to extremely close tolerances around a rectangular mandrel, surrounded by a flexible and twistable neoprene sleeve to enable the core to be pressurized. The ends of the waveguide are terminated with brass flanges available in eighteen multiple flange styles rolls up easily for fast air shipment (compared to the difficulty packaging shipping rigid waveguide. You can find a wide range of Flexible Waveguide at the Raditek website www.raditek.com. The above information will help you to figure out the right piece for your requirement. You can also place an order for Flexible Waveguide by contacting sales@raditek.com and get timely delivery at a competitive price.

Describing Power Splitters in Detail

Power splitters are used to split power in any ratio by choosing the correct values of resistors and configuration. They provide accurate an impedance match over a wide band of frequencies.  Power splitters are used in a variety of different configurations to divide power.

The most common power dividers are two-way power dividers, and they are made in two configurations Star and Delta.

Star format is used more than Delta format. All the series resistors at star point are equal. The value of the resistance is equal to the characteristic impedance divided by three. Since the power is dissipated in these resistors, it is necessary to remember that power rating should be enough to dissipate the expected levels.

In Delta format, the value of the resistance of resistors is equal to the characteristic impedance. Therefore, any of them can be used as the input and the other two points can be used as output.

Advantages of Power Splitter

  • Simple to Use – Splitters are formed of only resistors connected in the desired format. So they are easy to use. You need to keep in mind that why and which splitter you are using.
  • Affordable – Because these are simple, they can be easily made at low cost.
  • Frequency Response – You can buy with desired frequency response.  They are typically offered as 2 3 ,4,8,16 and 32 way

You can buy a wide range of power splitters by contacting sales@raditek,com online based on your requirement.

Types of Power Splitter and Their Uses

Power Splitters are used in a multitude of applications as they are used to split the power between two or more ports. These are also known as power dividers, and when a power splitter is used in the opposite direction it works as a power combiner. However, there is an insertion loss and a splitting loss of 3db per junction. They also exhibits excellent phase and amplitude balance.

There are two types of power splitters Resistive, and Hybrid Power Splitter and both of them are used for different purposes. Let’s have a look at both of these –

Resistive Power Splitters

This type of splitter uses resistors. These are easy to make and low cost, but the only limitation is insertion loss. Because of the presence of resistor, insertion loss is high. However, these are good at maintaining the characteristic impedance of the system.

Hybrid Power Splitters

Hybrid splitters are the device that uses transformers and are better than resistive power splitter because they provide low levels of loss. However, hey have some physical losses in the transformers, and one of the major losses arise from the splitting process since the same signal is shared between all the outputs.

You can buy any of the power splitters according to your requirement. You can find a wide range of selection of both types of power splitters on the Raditek website.

Types of RF Amplifiers

Amplifiers RF are used to amplify signals to the desired magnitude. There are different types of amplifiers used for various purposes. If you are looking for one, here are the types which would help you to come up with the one you need.

Broadband

Broadband Amplifiers are used to get moderate gain over a wide bandwidth while it maintains low noise figure. These are best used at the front-end of the antenna within the receiver circuitry.

Gain Block

Gain Block Amplifiers are similar to the above at everything other than providing better gain, but they are not able to maintain a low noise figure. They are best used in RF, IF and microwave transmitter applications.

Variable Gain

Variable gain amplifiers are complex ones because as the name suggests, variable gains can be obtained which are controllable and sometimes programmable. These are best used as the part of a closed-loop control circuit.

Low Noise Amplifier are used to amplify very weak signals to the working signal as output without introducing substantial phase noise. They are best used as the input of the antenna where signal power needs to be increased.

Power amplifiers come in two forms Coaxial and Waveguide Power Amplifiers which are used to convert signals with a small power from radar and communication equipment to high powered transmissions which are then sent to an antenna. Raditek solid state amplifiers include either Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) or Gallium Nitrate (GaN) active devices: these are the devices that do the actual amplification. Simplistically GaAs has the best linearity and GaN the best efficiency.

All types of Amplifiers are available from Raditek Amplifiers are offered in Frequency bands covering 1MHz to 96GHz and Power Ranges a few mille watts to 15 Kilo watts.

How to Check a Satellite LNB

An LNB (Low Noise Block Downconverter) is a device mounted at the focus of the satellite dish to receive signals and transmit them through the cable to the end point at the modem receiving side. Its performance may degrade over time due to exposure to weather conditions and continued use. You must check it at times to confirm if it is working well or not.

Here are the steps to check a satellite LNB.

After observing its physical conditions, you should test it with a satellite signal meter following a few given steps.

1. First of all, disconnect the power of satellite TV receiver or Satcom modem and then check the LNB. You should replace it if the casing which encloses LNB is damaged.

2. Check the joints, if they are loose, screw them, or if they are corroded, you will have to replace it with a new one.

3. Now check the LNB using satellite signal meter. Unscrew it from LNB’s signal output jack and screw one of its fly-lead into the input socket into the digital satellite signal meter which is powered with a battery. Further, screw the other end into the output jack on the Low Noise Block.

4. Now, read the signals in the meter. If there are no or low signal, LNB needs to be changed.

This way you can check your Low Noise Block on your own and place an order online if you find it damaged or not working. You can find a wide range of LNBs at an affordable price on the Raditek web site www.raditek.com

Difference between BUC and LNB

A BUC (Block Up converter) is used in a satellite communications UP LINK A LNB (Low Noise Block Converter) is used in a satellite communications DOWN LINK

BUC (Block Up converter) It converts the radio signals from a lower frequency to higher to transmit to the satellite. On the other hand LNB (Low Noise Block Converter) collects the radio waves from the satellite and converts them to a signal sent to the modem at the endpoint through a cable. The common thing between them is that both of these are used in VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) SATCOM transmission systems.

Let’s learn about a few more differences between them –

Block Up converter

• The first application of BUC is Frequency conversion. It converts lower L band frequency received to the higher frequency.

• It boosts the amplitude level of the RF signal that has been converted, and the process is called amplification.

• It costs less if used in the place of two separate modules, i.e. up converter and amplifier.

• It is placed between modulator output (satellite modem) and antenna.

Low Noise Block Converter

• The first function of LNB is to avoid distortion. It maintains CNR (carrier to Noise Ratio) while boosting the amplitude level of received RF signal.

• When it comes to Frequency conversion, it works opposite BUC. It converts higher frequency to lower L Band.

• It can be used in place of two separate modules, i.e. LNA and down converter which makes it cost less and easy to install.

• It is placed between the antenna input and the satellite modem.

Although both are used in VSAT, they have different functions to perform. You can find a wide range of Block Up converter and Low Noise Block Converter on the Raditek web site www.raditek.com

Understanding Band Pass Filter

A Band Pass Filter (BPF) is a device used to filter signals. If a user wants to pass the signals only between two specific frequencies he uses a Band Pass Filter. It passes only the signals falling between a set range and discriminates against the signals at frequencies lower and higher from that range.

These are two types of Band Pass Filter called Active and Passive. Active filters use external source of power to operate and employ active components like integrated circuits and transistors. On the other hand, Passive BPF requires no external source of power and uses passive components like capacitors and inductors.

The ranges set are called f1 and f2, the frequency comes at the center of these two and is called f0, and the range of frequencies falling between f1 and f2 is called ‘filter pass band.’ These are primarily used in wireless transmitters and receivers.

In transmitters, it enables data flow at desired speed because it limits the frequency of the output signals to the minimum necessary. In a receiver, it lets the frequencies of selected range to pass in the receiver to be decoded. It also optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver.

Band Pass Filter in both transmitters and receivers allows the maximum number of signals to be transferred in a system along with this it also minimizes the interference among signals. You can view a wide range of Band Pass Filters online at the Raditek web site www.raditek.com. All types in different formats can be found. Research and choose one of our high-quality Band Pass Filters.