Low power dual sampler utilizing step recovery diodes (SRDS)

Abstract

A low power dual sampler including two sampler switches with a step recovery diode (SRD) in each sampler switch. A local oscillator (LO) signal is provided through a power amplifier and transformer to baluns in the sampler switches without utilizing a power splitter, providing limited power loss to each balun. Each balun is configured to provide the LO signal to terminals of the SRD in a sampler switch without providing a termination to SRD impulses. Each sampler switch further includes series diodes connected across the terminals of each SRD switch with a junction of the series diodes connected to receive an RF signal, and the terminals of each SRD connected for providing an IF signal. To limit phase shift between SRD impulses, a temperature compensation circuit provides a DC offset voltage to each SRD. In one embodiment, each temperature compensation circuit includes an operational amplifier having a noninverting terminal coupled to a terminal of an SRD, an inverting terminal connected by a first resistor to ground, and an output connected by a second resistor to the inverting terminal and by a third resistor to the non-inverting terminal. To provide isolation between the sampler switches, a capacitor providing a high impedance to the LO signal and a low impedance to RF signals is connected at the interconnection of the sampler switches.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.