RF Chain - Wikipedia
RF Chain - Wikipedia
RF chain
An RF chain is a cascade of electronic components and sub-units which may include amplifiers, filters, mixers,
attenuators and detectors.[1]. It can take many forms, for example, as a wide-band receiver-detector for electronic warfare
(EW) applications, as a tunable narrow-band receiver for communications purposes, as a repeater in signal distribution
systems, or as an amplifier and up-converters for a transmitter-driver. In this article, the term RF (radio frequency) covers
the frequency range "Medium Frequencies" up to "Microwave Frequencies", i.e. from 100 kHz to 20 GHz [2]:15.
The key electrical parameters for an RF chain are system gain, noise figure (or noise factor) and overload level[3]:2. Other
important parameters, related to these properties, are sensitivity (the minimum signal level which can be resolved at the
output of the chain); dynamic range (the total range of signals that the chain can handle from a maximum level down to
smallest level that can be reliably processed) and spurious signal levels (unwanted signals produced by devices such as
mixers and non-linear amplifiers). In addition, there may be concerns regarding the immunity to incoming interference
or, conversely, the amount of undesirable radiation emanating from the chain. The tolerance of a system to mechanical
vibration may be important too. Furthermore, the physical properties of the chain, such as size, weight and power
consumption may also be important considerations.
An addition to considering the performance of the RF chain, the signal and signal-to-noise requirements of the various
signal processing components, which may follow it, are discussed because they often determine the target figures for a
chain.
Contents
Parameter sets
A system spreadsheet
Key spreadsheet topics
Cumulative gain
Cumulative noise factor
Cumulative 1dB compression point
Cumulative noise power
Other related system properties
Second and third order intercept points
Signal-to-noise ratio
Relating RF and video S:N ratios
Signal sensitivity
Tangential sensitivity
A S:N guideline figure for pulse detection
Mismatches
The response of a mismatched transmission line
The response of multiple mismatches
Mixers
Dynamic range
Field strength, antenna gain and signal power for receiver antennas
Front-end losses
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Parameter sets
Each two-port network in an RF chain can be described by a parameter set, which relates the voltages and currents
appearing at the terminals of that network[4]:29. Examples are: impedance parameters, i.e. z-parameters; admittance
parameters, i.e. y-parameters or, for high frequency situations, scattering parameters, i.e. S-parameters[5] [6]:663.
Scattering parameters avoid the need for ports to be open or short-circuited, which are difficult requirements to achieve at
microwave frequencies.
A system spreadsheet
A system spreadsheet has been a popular way of displaying the important parameters of a chain, in a stage-by-stage
manner, for the frequency range of interest[3]. It has the advantage of highlighting key performance figures and also pin-
pointing where possible problem areas may occur within the chain, which are not always apparent from a consideration of
overall results. Such a chart can be compiled manually[3]:139 or, more conveniently, by means of a computer
program[7][8][9] [10]
In addition, 'tookits' are available which provide aids to the system designer.[11] [12][13]
Consider the nth stage in a chain of RF devices. The cumulative gain, noise figure, 1 dB compression point[14][3]:119 and
output thermal noise power for the preceding (n-1) devices are given by Gcumn - 1, Fcumn - 1, Pcumn -1 and Ncumn - 1,
respectively. We wish to determine the new cumulative figures, when the nth stage is included, i.e. the values of Gcumn,
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Fcumn, Pcumn and Ncumn, given that the nth stage has values of Gn, Fn, P1n for
its gain, noise figure and 1dB compression point, respectively.
Cumulative gain
The cumulative gain, Gcumn after n stages, is given by
Adding Stage 'n' to the cascade
where Gcumn-1(dB) is the total gain of the first (n-1) stages and Gn(dB) is the gain of the nth stage.
Conversion equations between dBs and linear terms are:
and
where Fcumn-1 is the noise factor of the first (n-1) stages, Fn is the noise factor of the nth stage, and Gcumn is the overall
gain of n stages.
The cumulative noise figure is then
(Note 1: the use of an amplifier with high gain for the first stage will ensure that the noise figure degradations by later
stages will be small or negligible. This will be best for system sensitivity, see later.
Note 2: for a passive (lossy) section of the chain, the noise figure of the section equals the loss of that section[15][16]:55. So,
for example, a 3dB attenuator has a noise figure of 3dB).
where P1cumn-1 is the 1dB compression point at the input of the first (n-1) stages, P1n is the 1dB compression point for the
nth stage, referred to its input and Gcumn is the overall gain including the nth stage.
(Note: for the best result, i.e. a system tolerant to high level signals, is achieved with a low front end gain. This is in conflict
with the need for a low overall noise factor, which requires a high first-stage gain).
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The thermal noise after n stages of an RF chain, with total gain GT and noise figure FT is given by
In receivers, the cumulative gain is set to ensure that the output noise power of the chain at an appropriate level for the
signal processing stages that follow. For example, the noise level at the input to an analog to digital converter (A/D) must
not be at too low a level, otherwise the noise (and any signals within it) is not properly characterized (see the section on
A/Ds, later). On the other hand, too high a level results in the loss of dynamic range.
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In practice, the intercept levels are never achieved because an amplifier has gone into limiting before they are reached, but
they are useful theoretical points from which to predict intercept levels at lower input powers. In dB terms, they decrease
at twice the rate (IP2) and three times the rate (IP3) of the fundamental signals.
When products, stage to stage, add incoherently, the cumulative results for these products are derived by similar
equations to that for the 1dB compression point.
where I2cumn-1 is the second order intercept point at the input of the first (n-1) stages, I2n is the third order intercept
point for the nth stage, referred to its input and Gcumn is the overall gain including the nth stage.
similarly
where I3cumn-1 is the third order intercept point at the input of the first (n-1) stages, I3n is the third order intercept point
for the nth stage, referred to its input
The cumulative intercept points are useful when determining the “spurious free dynamic range” [16]rp|519}} of a system.
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There is an approximate relationship between the third order intercept level and the 1dB compression level which is[21]:59
[20]:35
Although only an approximation, the relationship is found to apply to a large number of amplifiers[17].
Signal-to-noise ratio
In the spread sheet, the total frequency band of interest B(Hz) is divided into M sub-bands (spreadsheet columns) of B/M
(Hz) each, and for each sub-band (m = 1 to M) the thermal noise power is derived, as described above. In practice, these
results will differ slightly, from column to column, if the system has gain ripple.
The signal-to-noise ratio (S:N) is the peak signal power of the pulse (Psig) divided by the total noise power (Pnoise) from
the M frequency bins, i.e.
This is the S:N ratio at RF frequencies. It can be related to the video S:N ratio as shown next.
where PS =input RF signal power; BV and BR are the video and RF bandwidths; F' = F -1/G where G is the chain gain and F
the effective noise figure; k = Boltzmann's constant; and T = the ambient temperature
[If there is significant gain variation across the band, then it can be divided into M sub-bands and results summed for
these sub-bands, as described earlier.]
From the above equation, as the noise power in the RF band is PN = kTBRF’, a relationship between RF and Video S:N
ratios can be found.
This relationship can be inverted to give the RF signal-to-noise ratio required to achieve a given video S:N ratio:
Signal sensitivity
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Signal sensitivity is important for receiving systems and refers to the minimum signal level at the input that is necessary to
give a signal that can be resolved reliably by the detection process at the end of the RF chain. This parameter is less
important in the case of repeaters and transmitter drivers where signal levels tend to be higher and other concerns such as
stage overload and spurious signal generation tend to be more relevant.
Determining a value for system sensitivity can be difficult and depends on many things, including the method of detection,
the signal coding method, the bandwidth of the RF channel, and whether or not digital processing is involved. Two
important parameters used in assessing sensitivity performance of a system are[22]:2.16 [15]:204”, the “Probability of
Detection” and the “False Alarm Rate”
Statistical methods are often used in the decision process (see Tsui[23]:20 and Skolnik[24]:16).
Tangential sensitivity
Tangential sensitivity, (TSS), defines that input power which results in a video
signal to noise ratio of approximately 8 dB from the detector[23]:16. The
thumbnail shows an example of a typical detected pulse at the TSS limit, with
the pulse + noise sitting at a level just clear of the noise floor. The TSS level is
too low a value for reliable pulse detection in a practical scenario, but it can be
determined with sufficient accuracy in bench tests on a receiver to give a quick
guide figure for system performance.
Tangential Sensitivity
In a wideband receiver, with a square-law detector, the TSS value at the chain
input terminals is given by[23]:18,
From this, the S:N of the RF signal, at the input to the detector can be obtained when the video output is at TSS.
This equation shows that the S:N at RF is typically less than unity, in wideband systems, when the video output is at TSS.
For example, if BR/BV = 500 then the equation gives (S:N)R = 0.17 (≈ -7.7 dB). The thumbnail shows the simulated video
output (at TSS) corresponding to an RF pulse in wideband noise with S:N = 0.17 and a bandwidth ratio of 500.
In the case of pulse detection of a signal in noise, following the detector in a wideband receiver, where the RF bandwidth
greatly exceeds the video bandwidth, a guideline figure for reliable performance a S:N (at video) is 16 to 18 dB[21]:87. This
is a useful figure for use in spreadsheets, and it corresponds to a probability of detection of over 99% for a Swerling 1
target[27][28]
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(Although lower values of S:N can give acceptable “Probability of Detection” and “False Alarm Rate” figures, the
measurement of pulse lengths become less reliable because noise spikes on pulses may extend below the chosen threshold
level).
Mismatches
In the past, devices in an RF chain have often been inter-connected by short transmission lines, such as coaxial cable[1]:165
[29] [30]:13-3 [4]:165, (0.414” and 0.085”semi-rigid cables are popular[31] [2]:481 ), by stripline [32] [4]:168 [30]:13-4 or by
microstrip[30]:13-6 [32]. Almost invariably, mismatches occur at the various interfaces.
Where only first time round echoes are considered (i.e. multiple reflections are
ignored), the output response is given by
This response has a ripple component with a peak-to-peak value ΔA, given by
The frequency difference from peak-to-peak (or trough-to-trough) of the ripple is given by ΔΩ where
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This can give an overall response which is far from flat. As an example, a random collection of 25 cascaded (but separated)
links give the result shown. Here, a random selection of path delays are assumed, with α taken as unity and ρ1 and ρ2
taking the typical value 0.15 (a return loss ≈ 16dB), for the frequency range 10 to 20GHz
For this example, calibration at 50 MHz intervals would be advisable, in order to characterize this response.
The ripple amplitude would be reduced if the mismatches ρ1 and ρ2 were improved but, especially if the lengths of the
interconnecting links were made shorter. An RF chain, made up of surface mounted components, interconnected by
stripline[4]:168, which can be made physically small, may achieve less than 0.5dB ripple. The use of integrated circuits
would give lower ripple still, (see, for example Monolithic microwave integrated circuits).
Mixers
The presence of a mixer in an RF chain complicates the spreadsheet because the frequency range at the output differs from
that at the input. In addition, because mixers are non-linear devices, they introduce many inter-modulation products,
which are undesirable, especially in wide-band systems.
For an input signal at frequency Fsig and a local oscillator frequency Flo , the output frequencies of a mixer are given by
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Usually, for a mixer, the desired output is the frequency with n = m = 1. The other outputs are often referred to as “spurs”
and are usually unwanted. Frequency plans are often drawn up, often as a separate spreadsheet, to minimize the
consequences of these unwanted signals[34][3]:168 [35] [36]
(i) Products with m and n small tend to have the largest amplitude so they require the most attention and, if possible,
should fall outside the operational pass-band. Products when m and n are high tend to be of smaller amplitude and, often,
can be ignored.
(ii) Down-converters are best realized with FLO set high, i.e. FLO > FSig.
(iii) In receivers, image frequency signals are less troublesome if the IF (intermediate frequency) is set very high[20]:10.
(iv) Local oscillator leakage can be minimized by using double-balanced mixers[21]:37 [16]:652 [3]:165.
(v) Presenting large amplitude signals to a mixer should be avoided in order to avoid high level spurs. Consequently, it is
poor practice to have high gain prior to a mixer (a requirement which may conflict with a need for a low overall noise
figure). In any case, the LO power applied to the mixer should greatly exceed the signal power[3]:166. In a typical mixer, the
1dB compression point is between 5 and 10dB below the local oscillator power [37].
Note that the approximate relationship between IP3 and P1 differs from that for amplifiers. For mixers, a very
approximate expression is[20]:35:
As this is very approximate, it is advisable to refer to the specification of the mixer in question, for clarification.
Dynamic range
Dynamic Range (DR) is that range of input powers from that of a just detectable signal up to a level at which the chain
overloads[37].
DR is given by
where Pmax is the Maximum Signal Power, discussed earlier, and Psens is the smallest input power for signal detection (see
Sensitivity, discussed earlier)..
When the power density of an incoming signal is Pinc then the power at the antenna terminals is PR is given by
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Where Aeff is the effective area of the antenna (or the Antenna aperture). Power density, which is in watts per metre
squared, can be related to Electric Field Strength ER, given in volts per metre, by
The gain of the antenna is related to the effective aperture by[38]:90 [6]:746.
In practice, the effective aperture of the antenna is smaller than the actual physical area. For a dish, the effective area is
about 0.5 to 0.6 times the actual area, and for a rectangular horn antenna it is about 0.7 to 0.8 times the actual area[6]:747.
For a dipole there is no actual physical area, but as a half-wave dipole has a power gain[38]:35 of 1.62 and the effective area
can be inferred from that.
Front-end losses
Front end losses are those losses which occur prior to the first active device of a receiver chain. They often arise because of
the operational requirements of a particular system, but should be minimized, where possible, to ensure the best possible
system sensitivity. These losses add to the effective noise figure of the first amplifier stage, dB for dB[20]:15.
Some losses are a consequence of the system construction, such as antenna to receiver feeder loss and, may include
waveguide-to-coax. transition loss. Other losses arise from the necessity to include devices to protect the chain from high
incident powers. For example, a radar system requires a transmit-receive (TR) cell[39][40][41] to protect the chain from the
high-power signals of the radar's transmitter. Similarly, a front end limiter[42] is needed, on a ship, to protect the chain
from the emissions of high-power transmitters located close by.
In addition, the system may include a band-pass filter at its input, to protect it from out-of-band signals, and this device
will have some pass-band loss.
Detectors (diodes)
Detector diodes for RF and Microwaves may be point contact diodes, Schottky diodes, Gallium Arsenide or p-n junction
devices[43]. Of these, Schottky diodes and junction diodes require biassing for best results. Also, silicon junction diodes
perform less well at high frequencies. A typical detector diode has a TSS of -45 to -50 dBm [23]:136[44][45] and peak pulse
powers of 20dBm, although better figures are possible[46]).
At low powers, diodes have a square-law characteristic, i.e. the output voltage is proportional to the input power, but at
higher powers (above about -15dBm) the device becomes linear, with the output voltage proportional to the input voltage.
Square law detectors can give detectable signals at video, in wideband systems, even when the RF S:N is less than unity.
For example, using the RF-to-Video relationships given earlier, for a system which has a bandwidth of 6GHz, and an RF
S:N value of 0.185 (-7 dB), the video S:N (i.e. TSS) will be 6.31 (8 dB). (Tsui's equations give an RF S:N value of 0.171 for
this example).
Detector-log-video-amplifiers (DLVAs)
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DLVAs[47] [21]:72 have been commonly found in direction finding systems, using multiple channels, squinted antennas and
amplitude comparison methods[21]:155 [48]. They are also useful for compressing the dynamic range of incoming signals of
receivers, prior to digitising. They cover frequency ranges such as 2 - 6GHz and 6 - 18GHz. There are also wideband
devices available which cover the range 2 - 18GHz.
A simple DLVA contains a broadband diode detector followed by an amplifier with a logarithmic characteristic and has an
input power range of, typically, -45dBm to 0dBm[49][50][51], which may be increased to -45 to +15dBm in an extended-
range DLVA. Two devices, together with an amplifier, can be combined to give an effective range of -65dBm to +15dBm.
In a successive-detection DLVA, which includes a low noise amplifier, the power range may to be, typically -65dBm to
+10dBm[52][50]
The lowest input power level of a typical DDU is about -75dBm[56], and with a receiver noise figure of 10dB, it gives a
frequency accuracy of approximately 1 MHz[54] They have dynamic ranges of 65 to 75 dB and cover frequency bands such
as 2 – 6GHz, 6-18 GHz and some wideband devices cover 2 – 18 GHz [57][58][54].
With the advent of digital techniques, analogous processes to those of an analog system have been realized[59] [60].
Consider, as an example, a chirp signal with time-bandwidth product of 200 and of amplitude of ½ LSB which is
embedded in noise with an rms voltage of 1 LSB, present at the input to an A/D. The digitized, quantised output, relative
to the mean value, is similar to the example in the left-hand figure below. After compression in the signal processor, a high
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amplitude pulse, whose magnitude is well above the noise is obtained, as shown in the right-hand figure.
This example happens to show, unintentionally, the benefits of dither[63][64][65] which is used to improve the linearity and
dynamic range of an A/D. In the case of the signal considered here, if there was no noise present, but just the signal alone,
its amplitude would be insufficient to operate the A/D.
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