[time-nuts] DIY Frequency extension for HP Agilent

[Bruce Griffiths]

Grant Hodgson wrote:
> Samuel
>
> The NLB-300 and NBB-300 series MMICs from RFMD work very at up to 13GHz 
> or so, certainly far better than a Mini-circuits ERA- whose gain will 
> start to roll off at higher frequencies.  Designing a broadband gain 
> stage to work up to 12GHz+ may not be as easy as it seems.  However it 
> is made somewhat easier by the use of broadband chokes from the likes of 
> Mini-Circuits, wideband inductors from Coilcraft and broadband 
> capacitors from ATC - to name but three - there may be others as well.
>
> The 4-stage amplifier used by HP not only increases the signal level, it 
> increases the slew rate (V/uSec) at lower frequencies.  It's not just 
> about signal level, it's about getting fast edges.  The Hittite HMC363 
> /8 is a great IC, using static flip-flops, and will work all the way 
> down to DC - IF the edges are fast enough.  Ironically it may be the 
> case that the lower frequency limit presents more of a challenge than 
> the higher frequency limit.
>
> regards
>
> Grant
>
>
>   
The Piconics broadband iron powder filled conical inductors supposedly
work from 10MHz or so to 40GHz.

Bruce