A broadband self-calibrated RMS power detector embedded in a square kilometre array receiver

Abstract

In this work, the performance of a broadband self-calibrated root-mean-square (RMS) power detector (PD) embedded in a square kilometre array radio telescope receiver is reported. The power detection function was obtained using MOSFET square-law characteristics in saturation. The PD is automatically calibrated to compensate for circuit component mismatches and to improve its sensitivity. The calibration circuit adjusts input transistor threshold voltages by controlling bulk terminal voltages to reduce mismatches. Measurements demonstrate a power-detection range from −39.6 to −20 dBm while consuming 1.5 mW. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1426–1432, 2015