Transient Millimeter-Wave Signal Analysis With Unambiguous RF Spectrum Reconstruction

Abstract

In this paper, a measurement system for the detection of time-dependent effects in broadband spectra of high-power millimeter-wave sources is demonstrated. The heterodyne approach with sub-harmonic mixers enables high dynamic range and configuration flexibility, but typically also imposes severe problems on the analysis of transient or instationary phenomena through frequency ambiguity. A key feature of the presented system is an unambiguous reconstruction of the RF spectrum from the detected IF spectra. This is done by evaluating the upper and lower mixer sidebands of two parallel heterodyne receiver channels simultaneously, resulting in a comparatively high instantaneous measurement bandwidth of 7 GHz per channel pair and a high dynamic range of 50-60 dB in the frequency range 110-170 GHz. Sample measurements obtained during the occurrence of an arc at the dielectric output window of a 140-GHz megawatt-class gyrotron demonstrate the unique capabilities of the system for detecting highly transient and broadband effects in the tube's output spectrum.