Pasternack expands dynamic range of broadband limiting amplifier line

Pasternack Inc of Irvine, CA, USA (which makes both passive and active RF, microwave and millimeter-wave products) has expanded its offering of broadband limiting amplifiers which are commonly used in electronic warfare, microwave receivers and broadband communications systems.

The firm’s coaxial broadband limiting amplifiers cover a wide frequency range of 1-18GHz, and are used to protect sensitive microwave receivers by limiting excessive input power that could potentially create unwanted distortion or even damage the receiver.

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The RF amplifiers offer a wide input dynamic range between -61dBm to +20dBm and high gain levels of 40-80dB typical while exhibiting excellent gain flatness performance of ±1dB (depending on the specific model). Additionally, the limiting amplifiers accept a wide range of input power levels while responding with a limited range of output power of 15-19dBm, with a saturated power output deviation of ±0.5dB over the frequency range (independent of the input).

The wideband limiting amplifiers are housed in hermetically sealed packages and are designed to withstand harsh environments with operating temperatures ranging from -30°C to +70°C. Over-voltage protection is installed externally for easy repair and the amplifiers are fully matched internally for 50Ω input and output, eliminating the need for additional sensitive, external RF tuning components.

“By expanding our offering of broadband limiting amplifiers we can offer our customers even more application support and flexibility,” says Tim Galla, Active Equipment product manager. “Furthermore, these limiting amplifiers are all in-stock and ready to ship.”

The five models of limiting amplifiers include the PE15A6002, which features 60dB of gain and supports 1-2GHz frequency range; the PE15A6015, which features 40dB of gain and supports 2-4GHz; the PE15A6007, which features 80dB of gain and a frequency range of 2-6GHz; the PE15A6008, which features 40dB of gain and a frequency range of 2-8GHz; and the PE15A6012, which offers 40dB of gain and a frequency range of 6-18GHz.