R. A. Wood Associates QuickNews

We've developed a new Ultra-Wideband Microwave Amplifier, the RCT0050, covering the frequency band of 0.5 to 18 GHz. This amplifier is built using surface mount technology, resulting in a lower production cost than traditional MIC amplifiers, with faster delivery times. Typical amplifier characteristics are:

• ~19 dB Average Gain
• <3.0 dB P-P Flatness
• 22 dBm Average Pout 1 dB
• Noise Figure ranging from <2 dB to 5.0 dB.
• ~200 mA Current Draw from +12 V

This is a great overall amplifier for low noise, high dynamic range, wideband EW applications, or narrowband applications. An initial datasheet showing typical data is available from this link. Let us know if you are interested in this product!

• Custom designed 8-way power dividers (covering a 4:1 bandwidth)
• A low band Up Converter
• An internal power supply
• High Speed LVDS interface
• High Dynamic Range RF amplifiers on inputs and outputs
• Custom designed equalizers for slope correction, and
• FPGA board for control and status (Built in Test) monitoring

• Custom designed 8-way power dividers (covering a 4:1 bandwidth)
• A low band Up Converter
• An AC/DC power supply
• High Speed LVDS interface
• High Dynamic Range RF amplifiers on inputs and outputs
• Custom designed equalizers for slope correction, and
• FPGA board for control and status (Built in Test) monitoring

For more information, download the RCT0017 product sheet

• The highest dynamic range microwave tuners in the industry
• Maximum use of surface mount RF/Microwave assemblies for frequencies up to 18 GHz
• 4 output IF bands to provide 1.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth

This is the improved RCT0017B Wideband Tuner/Quad Converter, which is the result of 18 months of development improvements from our original RCT0017 model.

• 10 MHz - 18 GHz test range as built with capability to expand up to 20 GHz
• Reduce manual test time
• Eliminate errors in recording of results
• Increase throughput
• Eliminate manual RF connections and DC connections in mid-test
• Provide automated test reports
• Save test results electronically in a database structure

• DAQ/Switch Unit
• Three programmable power supplies
• Signal Generator
• Spectrum Analyzer
• Table/Work Surface
• Rack Mount Computer
• Monitor
• LabVIEW Software utilities to support setting up the Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator, retrieving data from the Spectrum Analyzer, controlling the RF Switch/DIO Box and other measurement equipment in the Test Station
• Storage drawer
• Custom RF Switch/DIO Box provides:
• Automated RF Switching to 1 of 6 RF Inputs and 1 of 6 RF Outputs up to 18 GHz
• Oscillators needed for Test Units
• Digital I/O to control and read digital signals to/from Test Units
• Relay Switching to read Resistances and switch DC Power to Test Units

• Automated RF Switching to 1 of 6 RF Inputs and 1 of 6 RF Outputs up to 18 GHz
• Oscillators needed for Test Units
• Digital I/O to control and read digital signals to/from Test Units
• Relay Switching to read Resistances and switch DC Power to Test Units
• Bench top or Rack mount

• Wide Freq bandwidths ~DC-3GHz
• Uses New R.A.Wood Associates designed amplifiers with new 50% smaller M06 amplifier packages
• Used as part of a Subsystem, deployed on Navy vessels
• 14 built and delivered on time
• Provides 9 output ports for downstream equipment

• Small package size: 1.06" X 0.92" X 0.37"
• 4 through-holes for mounting
• Easy connections: +5V DC in, SMA out
• Custom frequencies available from 40 MHz to 1.4 GHz
• Frequency accuracy at +25C: < +/-1 ppm
• Internally temperature compensated: < +/-1 ppm from -20C to +70C
• Aging: < +/-3 ppm first year, < +/-1 ppm/year thereafter
• Sine wave outputs (initially)

Our Wideband Down Converter and Up Converter pair offer:

• Frequency Coverage: 6 - 18 GHz
• For applications employing Digital RF Memories (DRFM's) for coherent electronic countermeasures
• Coherent system synchronized to a 100 MHz reference
• Independent synthesizers in Down and Up Converters
• Can be configured as independent Down and Up Converters, or as a coherent set for countermeasures or similar applications
• Control and Status: VME A24 D32

Down Converter Features:

• Single Unit Form Factor: 6U 2 Slot Design
• Input Dynamic Range: -60 to +2 dBm
• Input 1 dB Compression Point: >+6 dB
• Noise Figure: 21 dB
• Gain: 10 dB average
• Phase Noise: -146 dBc/Hz @ >20 MHz Offset
• Second IF's: Four outputs at 750 MHz, 375 MHz wide, providing 1.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth
• Designed to drive 1 GHz Digitizers linearly up to +12 dB

Up Converter Features:

• Four inputs at 750 MHz, 375 MHz wide, providing 1.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth across 6 - 18 GHz
• Form Factor: VME 6U 2 Slot Design
• High Input Dynamic Range: -55 to 0 dBm
• Phase Noise: -146 dBc/Hz @ >20 MHz offset
• Tuning Speed: 1 uSec
• Noise Figure: 31.5 dB max
• Input 1 dB Compression Point: >+2 dBm
• Gain: 1 dB average

We haven't posted in a while. It's because we've been crazy busy. Our newest product, the RCT0017 WB Tuner and Quad Converter, has been under development over the past 2 years, and is now available. We've designed this from the ground up to meet state of the art high input compression point, low phase noise, fast tuning speed, wide dynamic range, and wide instantaneous bandwidth requirements. A quick overview of the specifications:

• Frequency Coverage: 2-18 GHz
• First IF’s: 2.2-3.8 GHz, 3.8-5.3 GHz, available simultaneously
• Second IF’s: 4 outputs at 750 MHz, 375 MHz wide, providing 1.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth across the First IF’s
• Input 1 dB Compression Point: >+6 dBm
• Noise Figure: 21 dB
• Input Dynamic Range: -60 to +2 dBm
• Gain: 10 dB average
• Tuning Speed: <1 uSec
• Frequency Step Size: 375 MHz
• Phase Noise: -150 dBc/Hz @ 10-20 MHz Offset
• Form Factor: VME 6U 2 Slot Design
• Control and Status: VME A24 D32
• Designed to follow an Low Noise Front End with Approximately 30 dB ENR
• Designed to drive 1 GHz Digitizers linearly up to +12 dBm

A brief data sheet can be downloaded from this link