6 May 2015

Pasternack launches log video amplifiers with broadband performance up to 18GHz

Pasternack Enterprises Inc of Irvine, CA, USA (which makes both passive and active RF, microwave and millimeter-wave products) has launched a new line of broadband log video amplifiers covering multi-octave bandwidths from 0.5GHz to 18GHz.

The five models being released include four Successive Detection Log Video Amplifiers (SDLVA) and one Detector Log Video Amplifier (DLVA), offering what is claimed to be a wide input dynamic range, high signal sensitivity, fast recovery times, and excellent temperature stability.

The log amplifiers are used to measure widely varying signals at high frequencies in applications where rapid and precise tracking is required across the entire frequency band. Signals with high-density pulses, narrow pulse widths and large amplitude variations are compressed into an output video voltage response that increases linearly with increasing input power. Common applications for the RF amplifies are in radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems used for direction finding and power monitoring, but they can also find use in laboratory measurement & test equipment as well as telecom and datacom systems.

Based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology (beneficial for high-speed applications while maintaining flatness and accuracy throughout the desired frequency band), the log amplifiers can process up to 75dB of dynamic range and have log linearity that ranges from ±1 to ±2.5dBm. The log slope ranges from 20 to 50mV/dB, and the devices also have fast recovery times ranging from 40 to 150ns.

"Processing complex RF and microwave signal responses and measuring the results can prove to be very challenging," says Active RF Components product manager Tim Galla. "This selection of log video amplifiers which cover multi-octave microwave frequency bands can support applications which require processing and tracking of widely varying signals into a usable state that's precise and accurate," he adds.

The highly reliable 50Ω hybrid circuit assemblies are enclosed in rugged metal packages with SMA connectors, and are designed to meet MIL-STD-202F environmental conditions. The new log video amplifiers are in-stock and available now.

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Visit: www.pasternack.com