A High Speed Microwave Measurement Receiver

Author: William L. Tuttle

Publication: AMTA 1989

Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies

In order to justify the expenditure for capital equipment such as a microwave receiver, it must be shown that the instrument provides the best value to the user. The best value for a microwave receiver for measuring today’s complex microwave antennas dictates that the receiver be versatile enough to adapt and operate over a diverse set of applications and performance specifications. Some important characteristics to consider when evaluating a microwave receiver’s value is measurement speed, frequency agility, number of measurement channels, remotability, dynamic range, ease of operation, and system integration.

This paper addresses the development and important characteristics of a high speed microwave receiver that was designed to provide users with maximum productivity, and therefore, the best value for a microwave antenna measurement receiver. Receiver characteristics such as acquisition speed, frequency agility, number of measurement channels, controls, interfacing, and versatility are discussed.