P. Manchanda¹, M. Knaack¹, F. Tost¹, C. Andrei^1,2, M. Rudolph^1,2

Published in:

16th German Microwave Conference (GeMiC 2025), Dresden, Germany, Mar. 17-19, ISBN 978-3-9820397-4-9, pp. 439-442 (2025).

Abstract:

This paper presents a reconfigurable diode detector operating at 24 GHz, capable of dynamically adjusting its output voltage and linear range through digital control of the load impedance. The variation in load impedance is initially achieved by employing a variable resistor within the baseband amplifier. Subsequently, the same effect is accomplished using a fully digital solution by configuring the internal programmable gain amplifier (PGA) of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The detector, the baseband amplifier, and the ADC are fabricated using commercially available components. Experimental results demonstrate that the linear range can be extended significantly by reducing the input impedance of the baseband amplifier, whereas an increase in impedance results in an elevated output voltage. Similar trends are observed when utilizing the PGA within the ADC. The results demonstrate a reconfigurable diode detector that employs digital control to dynamically optimize performance metrics, including output voltage and linear range. This adaptability renders it highly versatile and well-suited for a broad spectrum of modern RF system applications.

Keywords:

diode detector, radar, reconfigurable power detector, square-law detector

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