EMRFD Message Archive 4303

Message Date From Subject
4303 2010-02-20 08:43:27 Brooke Clarke Understanding Mixer Diodes
Hi Joe:

Schottky diodes can be made using different substrate materials and
different metals resulting in different performance in mixers. An easy
test for barrier height is to use the diode function (Vf @ 1 ma) on a
DMM like the Fluke 87 or similar, see: http://www.prc68.com/I/DMM.shtml

The lower the Vf @ 1 ma the lower the LO power needed for the mixer.

A more complex parameter is related to what's called space charge
current limiting and for that see:
Understanding Diodes & RF/Microwave Operation and points out that the WJ
app notes on mixers did not understand this.
http://www.prc68.com/I/Diodes.html

--
Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke, N6GCE
http://www.PRC68.com