T&M Understanding Waveguide Mixers: Anritsu MA2808A Overview
Advertisement
This article discusses waveguide mixers and its benefits, specifically highlighting the Anritsu Waveguide Mixer MA2808A. Waveguide mixers, like the Anritsu models, are crucial components for testing and measurement in the millimeter wave frequency range.
Essentially, a waveguide mixer functions similarly to a standard RF mixer. However, it’s specifically designed to interface with waveguide components, making it suitable for millimeter-wave applications. It takes two input frequencies, mixes them, and generates the sum and difference of those frequencies at its output. The desired output frequency is then selected, and any unwanted frequencies are filtered out using appropriate RF filters.
Anritsu has developed waveguide mixers to facilitate the testing of millimeter-wave wireless devices. These mixers are well-suited for applications like wireless backhaul, WLAN 11ad (WiGig), and radar systems operating in the 77 to 79 GHz bands. Anritsu’s MS2830A spectrum analyzer can be used in conjunction with these waveguide mixers for the effective testing and troubleshooting of millimeter-wave solutions.
The image below shows the waveguide mixer model MA2808A.
Technical Specifications of Anritsu Waveguide Mixers
The following table details the technical specifications of Anritsu’s waveguide mixers, models MA2806A and MA2808A.
| Specification | MA2806A | MA2808A |
|---|---|---|
| RF Frequency | 50 GHz to 75 GHz | 60 GHz to 90 GHz |
| IF Frequency | 1.875 GHz | 1.875 GHz |
| LO Frequency | 5 GHz to 10 GHz | 5 GHz to 10 GHz |
| LO amplitude | >10 dBm | >10 dBm |
| Multiplier value | 8 | 12 |
| Conversion loss | <15dB | <15dB |
| P1dB | > 0 dBm | > 0 dBm |
| LO leakage | <-30dBm | <-30dBm |
| Input level (max.) | 10 dBm | 10 dBm |
Benefits of a Waveguide Mixer
- Converts high frequency signals to intermediate frequencies with minimal loss.
- Ensures high signal integrity and minimal power dissipation.
- Reduces distortion, making it ideal for precise signal processing.
- Supports wide frequency ranges including microwave and millimeter wave bands.
- It is robust and durable in design which makes it work efficiently in harsh environments, including aerospace and defense applications.
- Minimizes phase noise and enhances receiver sensitivity.
- As it is compact and light in weight, it is suitable for space constrained RF and microwave systems.
- It is used in various applications including radar, satellite communications and radio astronomy.
Conclusion
A waveguide mixer is a crucial component in RF and microwave systems, enabling efficient frequency conversion with low loss, high linearity and superior noise performance. Its durability and wide frequency support make it indispensable in advanced communication, radar and space applications.
