High stability buffered phase comparator
Abstract
A low noise RF signal phase comparator comprised of two high stability driver buffer amplifiers driving a double balanced mixer which operate to generate a beat frequency between the two RF input signals coupled to the amplifiers from the RF sources is described. The beat frequency output from the mixer is applied to a low noise zero crossing detector which is the phase difference between the two RF inputs. Temperature stability is provided by mounting the amplifiers and mixer on a common circuit board with the active circuit elements located on one side of a circuit board and the passive circuit elements located on the opposite side. A common heat sink is located adjacent the circuit board. The active circuit elements are embedded into the bores of the heat sink which slows the effect of ambient temperature changes and reduces the temperature gradients between the active circuit elements, thus improving the cancellation of temperature effects. The two amplifiers include individual voltage regulators, which increases RF isolation.
- Publication:
-
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Report
- Pub Date:
- January 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984nasa.reptQ....A
- Keywords:
-
- Comparators;
- Frequency Control;
- Phase Detectors;
- Radio Frequencies;
- Circuit Boards;
- Circuit Protection;
- Heat Sinks;
- Noise Reduction;
- Patents;
- Signal Detection;
- Thermal Resistance;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering