Raytheon Company

Paul A Murphy

Marc R Sheade

A Detector Log Video Amplifier (DLVA) comprising a first RF detector for detecting the power levels of received RF signals having power levels within a first range (e.g., -40 dBm to -20 dBm) and producing corresponding first video frequency signals having amplitudes representative thereof, from which are produced output signals having amplitudes logarithmically proportional to such received signals. A second RF detector detects the power levels of received RF signals having power levels within a second range (e.g., -20 dBm to +20 dBm) and produces corresponding second video frequency signals having amplitudes representative thereof, from which are produced output signals having amplitudes logarithmically proportional to such received signals. A control signal is produced from the second video frequency signals, the control signal having a level in accordance with the power levels of received RF signals. Received RF signals having power levels equal to or exceeding a first level (e.g., 0 dBm) are attenuated in accordance with the control signal level and coupled to the first detector. A limiter is responsive to the power levels of received RF signals exceeding a second level (e.g., +5 dBm) for limiting the power levels of such RF signals coupled to the attenuator in accordance with the power levels of such signals exceeding the second level. With such arrangement, the RF signals coupled to the first detector are prevented from exceeding the first level, thereby significantly reducing the DLVA's recovery time, for example to less than 500 nanoseconds.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Paul A Murphy