A 20 GHz microwave sampler

A microwave sampler circuit which operates over the frequency band of 1-20 GHz and has a number of novel features is described. These features include a wideband microstrip-to-slot balun and a wideband active isolator the function of which is to reduce the local oscillator to RF leakage from the input port of the sampler. The signal-to-noise ratio over the input bandwidth is greater than 20 dB at an input power level of -32 dBm. This signal-to-noise ratio was measured in an IF bandwidth of 175 MHz and includes the contribution from the IF amplifier. The sampler, which is made on alumina using MIC techniques, has an integrated impulse generator driven with a sinusoidal local oscillator of only 20 dBm over the frequency band of 250-350 MHz. The IF signal is in the 10-175-MHz band. The RF input VSWR is better than 2:1 up to 20 GHz, and the oscillator to RF breakthrough is better than -58 dBm (-78 dBc) when driven with a local oscillator of 20 dBm. This unusually low leakage was achieved by using the active isolator prior to the sampling circuit