The strip-guide configuration remains the cornerstone of our standard products. However, for large-scale production the strip-guide configuration as described above can be modified to a semi-planar construction by replacing the metallic waveguide with a dielectric waveguide and the stripline with a microstrip. The semi-planar version or even MMIC version is of interest for applications in which large-scale production and low cost is more important than the lowest possible noise figure.

Amplifiers and Active Multipliers

   Spacek Labs offers both custom and standard designed amplifiers and active multipliers in a frequency range of 10 to 110 GHz.  Amplifier designs include low-noise, high power and general-purpose amplifiers. Our active multiplier line includes 2 to 8 times multiplication factors operating all the way through W-band.  Modular construction of our active components allows a large variety of configurations to meet specific customer requirements. Should you need a more customized solution, our engineers and in-house CNC machining facility can produce a design to meet your needs.

Oscillators

   Our source technologies include a full-line of Gunn oscillators as well as phase-locked source assemblies. These oscillators can be used as a laboratory source, a multiplier driver, local oscillator or whenever a reliable source for the generation of millimeter wave signals is required.

Detectors

   Spacek Labs combines conventional waveguide technology with planar circuit techniques producing full waveguide bandwidth detectors using zero bias GaAs beam lead diodes.  They are available with either positive or negative output polarity. The resulting detector is an extremely rugged and compact device.  By replacing the zero bias detector diode with a GaAs beam lead mixer diode, these devices can be used as harmonic mixers to extend frequency counters up to 110 GHz.

Filters

   We design and manufacture a full line of waveguide and coax filters. From 18 to 110 GHz, we offer narrow to ultra-wide bandpass filters. We also offer a full line of lowpass and highpass filters that can be custom designed for any frequency.

Systems and Subsystems

   Combining Spacek Labs' amplifier, mixer, multiplier, filter and source technologies into a single, integrated system, we are able to offer a wide selection of block downconverters, transceivers, transmitters and receivers. With our in-house CAD/CAE design and manufacturing capabilities we are able to produce compact, high performance subassemblies. Spacek Labs has delivered hundreds of standard and custom millimeter-wave systems worldwide.

Applications

Frequency Down or Upconversion

Unlike parametric converters, the efficiency of Spacek mixers is the same for downconversion or upconversion. In most cases, the same unit can be used in either mode of operation.

RF Front-End Applications

Although Spacek mixers can be directly connected to standard VHF through X-band IF transistor amplifiers, it is recommended for RF front-end application to order integrated mixer/preamplifiers and to specify the overall performance in noise figure rather than in conversion loss.

Frequency Multiplication

The principle of our mixer configuration, when applied to a frequency doubler provides at least 3 mW output power over full waveguide bandwidth from 18 GHz to millimeter-wave frequencies, with typically 8 to 10% efficiency.

Phase Detection and RF Switching

Because the IF output of Spacek mixers is DC-coupled, the units can be used to detect phase of two equal frequency signals applied to the RF and LO ports

Main Parameters

LO Power

Mixers are normally operated without DC bias and require 2 to 10mW LO power, depending on model and maximum specified input signal. A DC bias or crystal current monitor terminal is available on special order. With DC bias, LO power of 0.5 mW is sufficient if about 1 to 2 dB increase in conversion loss is acceptable. IF Output Impedance: 50 ohms nominal.

VSWR

RF and LO input VSWR is 1.5:1 maximum over about 10 percent bandwidth and 2:1 maximum over 30 percent bandwidth. IF output VSWR is 2:1 maximum over at least 2000 MHz bandwidth.

Isolation

Because of the unique configuration of the Strip-Guide mixer, the LO to RF isolation is 25 dB typically over the full specified operating bandwidth. The high isolation reduces the effect of noisy LO sources even for IFs of 30 MHz and lower. LO and RF to IF isolation is typically 40 dB.

Dynamic Range

Noise level to +10 dBm RF input for high level application (LO level >10mW), noise level to -15 dBm. RF input for low noise application (LO level < 10 mW).

Spurious Outputs

These depend on signals levels. For IF output of -20 dBm maximum, spurs are typically 40 dB down. For IF output of +3 dBm, spurs are approximately 25 dB down provided that LO power is at least 6 dB above RF input power. For some applications (such as upconverters for up-link transmitter drivers) spurs suppression of 60 dB is achievable with a doubly-balanced version of the strip-guide mixer. This signal purity is obtained for IF input level of +8 dBm provided that 50 mW of LO power is available.

Image Rejection or Enhancement

Our mixers can be delivered with an integral image-rejection filter that suppresses the image by 40 to 60 dB. This approach is usually feasible only for microwave IFs. For low-frequency IFs, image rejection of 25 dB by phasing techniques is available. The Strip-Guide mixer is ideally suited for image enhancement. Conversion loss as low as 2.8dB over narrow bandwidth was achieved in this mode of operation.

Diodes

Our mixers use silicon Schottky diodes in pill package for frequencies up to 26 GHz and gallium-arsenide Schottky diodes in micropill package for frequencies over 26 GHz. Both diode types are easily field replaceable.

Operating Temperature

For mixers and frequency converters: -55^oC to +100^oC (MIL-STD-750); for mixer/amplifiers: -55^oC to +70^oC. Consult factory for operation beyond these limits.

Environment

Most of the units described are designed and constructed to withstand the environment of all aerospace/military specifications in accordance with MIL-E-5400, MIL-E-16400, and MIL-E-5272. Some units are space-qualified.

Quality Control

We operate our Quality System to MIL-1-45208. Compliance with NHB5300.4 can be accomplished at additional cost.

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212 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, California  USA  93101

Phone: (805) 564-4404  Fax: (805) 966-3249  E-mail: sales@spaceklabs.com