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RSSGC4700 Limiter Diodes
Microsemi Corporation
•Datasheet: GC4700 Limiter Diodes
The GC4700 series diodes are specially processed PIN diodes designed for use in passive or active limiters at frequencies through Ku band.
Twelve categories of devices are offered for flexibility in design of low (lower Vb, fastest turn-on time), medium and high (highest Vb, slowest turn-on time) power limiters.
Applications
A diode limiter is a power-sensitive variable attenuator that uses the non-linear properties of the diode to provide an impedance mismatch when sufficient amounts of RF power are incident on the device. The output power is reduced to a level that will not overdrive a receiver, burn out a mixer, etc. For varying input power levels in excess of the diodeís threshold level, the limiterís output power tends to remain constant.
A passive limiter is one in which the limiter diodes are ìturned onî by the RF signal itself. An active limiter is one in which the limiter diodes are ìturned onî primarily by an external bias current typically supplied by a Schottky detector diode which senses the incident signal.
Since limiter diodes are not designed to dissipate large amounts of power, the limiter must reflect or divert the excess incident power back to the source or to another load (i.e. via a circulator, hybrid coupler, etc.).
Limiter diodes may be used in wave guides, coax, microstrip, stripline or other media. Single or cascaded devices may be used, depending on power levels.
Downloads:
•Datasheet: GC4700 Limiter Diodes
