That makes sense! How about if you test some samples at peak power slightly about the requirement, left them on a hot plate, and saw no measurable change in S-parameters or DC current? Would that be a convincing argument?

Thanks

Norman
We will forward your interest to the owner of this equipment and get back to you by email. Thanks for your participation in our discussion board!

Steve

Thanks! I found someone that lent me the book so I am all set!
Steve

That will be a useful paper to many people, thanks!

Steve

Richard

Yes that is what I was referring to. Thanks!

Thank you Mr. Matt! I found someone with a copy of it I was able to borrow. Hoping to learn some multiplier magic!

Partially answering own question.... Faber, Chramiec and Adamski, Microwave and Milliieter Wave Diode Frequency Multipliers....

https://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Millimeter-Wave-Frequency-Multipliers-Hardcover/dp/0890066116

out of print and out of stock.

Thanks! Later this year I will try to do some measurements on PIN diode switches on a spec an... If this Covid thing dies down...

Out mixer spreadsheet has been updated to fix the high-side group delay issue, grab a copy here.

https://www.microwaves101.com/download-area#SparMixer

You are referring to this, correct?

https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/history-of-microwave-software#handy

Steve

Totally agree. Combine a good process and good people and there is nothing to worry about. This was more of a thought experiment gone awry! Thanks Desert Sage.

I did not consider TDR, thanks madengr!

Note to readers... you need to log in to see the photo!

Steve

and yes, madengr... no access to the ports....

That seems like a very good idea! My concern is for a combiner where they are assembled with eentsie chip resistors, thinking that the solder process could short them out or leave them open...

I think I can answer my own question... the amplifiers should see a good match with a reactive combiner. This is apparent when the amplifier is analyzed in even mode where both ports are excited equally.

It turns out that when you "mix" S-parameters with high-side LO, you need to take the conjugate of S21 and S12, and then group delay comes out as expected. I did not make this up, it is detailed in a paper by Dr. Dylan Williams...I'll post some updates on this shortly....

Thanks to Frauke for pointing this out. Here is the reference:

D. F. Williams, F. Ndagijimana, K. A. Remley, J. A. Dunsmore and S. Hubert, "Scattering-parameter models and representations for microwave mixers," in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 314-321, Jan. 2005,

I know that plating plastic is possible, and some companies do it well. But the devil is in the details. Not just in the plating but in holding tolerances on the plastic part. I am considering adding an entry on this on our career killer page... good luck!

Steve

You might try Microsemi

https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/rf-microwave-a-millimeter-wave/3592-rf-discretes

Their web site states:

"Microsemi also can offer a significant number of existing configurations to minimize your NRE and provides many customers with microwave components no longer available from their original suppliers. Microsemi's extensive library of products and designs gives us the ability to respond quickly with solutions to meet your needs, quickly and cost effectively."

Good luck!
Steve

Uli's list has circular waveguide dimensions:

https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/rectangular-waveguide-dimensions

I will forward this message post to him to see if he has any advice.

Steve

I think the best consideration is to stay away from minimum widths that would be hard to resolve in manufacturing. Maybe one way to think about this is that the RF currents will be crowded to the edges of the strips no matter what the width. That's all I have..

Steve