Peak power ratio generator

Patent · 01 January 1985

OSTI ID:865625

Moyer, Robert D ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

A peak power ratio generator is described for measuring, in combination with a conventional power meter, the peak power level of extremely narrow pulses in the gigahertz radio frequency bands. The present invention in a preferred embodiment utilizes a tunnel diode and a back diode combination in a detector circuit as the only high speed elements. The high speed tunnel diode provides a bistable signal and serves as a memory device of the input pulses for the remaining, slower components. A hybrid digital and analog loop maintains the peak power level of a reference channel at a known amount. Thus, by measuring the average power levels of the reference signal and the source signal, the peak power level of the source signal can be determined.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: AT(29-1)-789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4546313
• OSTI ID: 865625
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/324/327/
amount
analog
average
average power
bands
bistable
channel
circuit
combination
components
conventional
conventional power
described
detector
detector circuit
determined
device
digital
diode
diode provides
elements
embodiment
embodiment utilizes
extremely
extremely narrow
frequency
frequency band
frequency bands
generator
gigahertz
hybrid
input
input pulse
input pulses
level
levels
loop
maintains
measuring
memory
memory device
meter
narrow
narrow pulse
peak
peak power
power
power level
power levels
power meter
power ratio
preferred
preferred embodiment
provides
pulses
radio
radio frequency
ratio
ratio generator
reference
reference signal
remaining
serves
signal
slower
source
speed
tunnel
utilizes