Agilent offers a complete family of high performance Low Barrier Schottky Diode
Detectors which cover the 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz frequency range. These general
purpose components are widely used for CW and pulsed power detection,
leveling of sweepers, and frequencyresponse testing of other microwave compo-
nents. These detectors do not require a dc bias and can be used with common
oscilloscopes, thus their simplicity of operation and excellent broadband perfor-
mance make them useful measurement accessories.
These detectors use a Low-Barrier Schottky Diode (LBSD), specially fabricated
with low origin resistance and low junction capacitance. This results in
improved broadband flatness and SWR over point-contact diode detectors,
thus yielding more accurate measurements. These detectors also offer very
good ruggedness and burnout protection. As with all Agilent detectors, these
models integrate the diode with the other circuit elements thus minimizing stray
reactances and optimizing broadband performance. For economical field repair,
replaceable detector modules are available.
Agilent 8473B
Agilent 8473C
Field-replaceable detector elements
+1.00
+0.75
Frequency response (dB)
+0.50
+0.25
0
-0.25
-0.50
-0.75
-1.00
0.01
Typical LBSD
detector
LBSD
specifications
In the event of diode burnout, field-replaceable detector
elements are available for economical customer repair.
The critical components are supplied (and tested) as an
integrated unit, with the mount playing only a minor role in
determining frequency response and SWR. The following
table lists field-replaceable detector modules that have
been tested to their respective specifications.
Table 1.
Agilent Model
423B
8470B
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Agilent replacement part number
00423-60003
08470-60012
08470-60012
08473-80001
08473-80002
08473-80003
08473-80004
08473-80005
08473-80006
8472B
8473B
Option 8473B–001
Option 8473B–003
8473C
Option 8473C–001
Option 8473C–003
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 2. Detector frequency response specifications
1.8
1.7
Frequency response (dB)
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.01
Typical LBSD
detector
423B
L
LBSD
specifications
8470B
L
RF connector
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency (GHz)
D
D
8472B
8473B/C
L
D
Figure 3. Detector SWR specifications
Figure 5. Drawing dimensions given
in specification table
1.0
500.0
0.8
Maximum mismatch error (±dB)
Output voltage (mV)
Typical
SWR for
LBSD
detector
models
2.0 Source
SWR
1.5 Source
SWR
50.0
LBSD
5.0
LBSD
0.6
0.4
0.5
Without
load
Square
law loaded
0.2
0.05
0
1.0
1.2
1.4
Detector SWR
1.6
1.8
2.0
0.005
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
Input power (dBm)
Figure 4. Measurement uncertainty due to detector source mismatch
2
Figure 6. Typical detector square-law response
Specifications
Specifications
1
Frequency range
2
Frequency response
Octave band flatness
(over any octave 0 01
to 8 GHz)
Broadband flatness
Agilent 423B
0.01 to 12.4 GHz
Agilent 8473B
0.01 to 18 GH
z
Agilent 8473C
Agilent 8470B
0.01 to 18 GHz
Agilent 8472B
0.00 to 18 GHz
0.01 to 26.5 GHz
±0.2 dB
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.3 dB
0.01 to 20 GHz: ±6 dB
20 to 26.5 GHz: ±1.5 dB from
a 3.3 dB linear slope
0.01 to 4 GHz: 1.2
4 to 18 GHz: 1.5
18 to 26.5 GHz: 2.2
200 mW
1 watt (typical)
0.01 to 18 GHz: > 0.5 mV/μW
18 to 26.5 GHz: > 0.1 8 mV/μW
< 50 μV
±0.2 dB
±0.2 dB
±0.2 dB
±0.2 dB
0.01 dB to 12.4 GHz: ±0.3 dB
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.3 dB
0.01 to 18 GHZ: ±0.6 dB
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.3 dB
0.01 to 15 GHz: ±0.5 dB
0.01 to 18 GHz: ±0.6 dB
0.01 to 4 GHz: 1.15
4 to 15 GHz: 1.30
15 to 18 GHz: 1.70
200 mW
1 watt (typical)
> 0.5 mV/μW
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.3 dB
0.01 to 15 GHz: ±0.5 dB
SWR
3
, maximum (50Ω
characteristic impedance)
Maximum operating input
(Peak or average)
Short- term maximum Input
(less than 1 min.)
Sensitivity
4
Noise (μV peak-to-peak
with CW power applied to
produce 100 mV output)
Environmental qualifications
Operating temperature
Vibration
Shock
Output polarity
Input connector
Output connector
Video impedance
RF bypass capacitor
Dimensions in mm (inches)
Length
Diameter
Weight in grams (oz)
Net
Shipping
Options
xxxx-001
Matched response
Provides a pair of detectors
with matched frequency
response
xxxx-002
Optimum square-law load
xxxx-003
Positive polarity out
0.01 to 4 GHz: 1.15
4 to 12.4 G Hz: 1.30
200 mW
1 watt (typical)
> 0.5 mV/μW
0.01 to 4 GHz: 1.2
4 to 18 GHz: 1.5
200 mW
1 watt (typical)
> 0.5 mV/μW
0.01 to 4.5 GHz: 1.20
4.5 to 7 GHz: 1.35
200 mW
1 watt (typical)
> 0.5 mV/μW
< 50 μV
< 50 μV
< 50 μV
< 50 μV
0 to 55 °C
20 G’s, 80 - 2000 Hz
100 G’s, 11 ms
Negative
Type N Male
BNC Female
1 kΩ to 2 kΩ
1.3 kΩ (typical)
20 pF to 60 pF
30 pF (typical)
63 (2.47)
20 (038)
114 (4)
454 (16)
-20 °C to +85 °C
20 G’s, 80 - 2000 Hz
100 G’s, 11 ms
Negative
3.5 mm Male
(SMA Compatible)
BNC Female
1 kΩ to 2 kΩ
1.3 kΩ (typical)
20 pF to 60 pF
30 pF (typical)
48 (1.89)
10 (0.39)
14 (0.5)
454 (16)
-20 °C to +85 °C
20 G’s, 80 - 2000 Hz
100 G’s, 11 ms
Negative
3.5 mm Male
(SMA Compatible)
BNC Female
1 kΩ to 2 kΩ
1.3 kΩ (typical)
20 pF to 60 pF
30 pF (typical)
43 (1.89)
10 (0.39)
14 (0.5)
454 (16)
-20 °C to +85 °C
20 G’s, 80 - 2000 Hz
100 G’s, 11 ms
Negative
APC-7
BNC Female
1 kΩ to 2 kΩ
1.3 kΩ (typical)
20 pF to 60 pF
30 pF (typical)
64 (2.50)
19 (0.75)
114 (4)
454 (16)
-20 °C to +85 °C
20 G’s, 80 - 2000 Hz
100 G’s, 11 ms
Negative
SMA Male
BNC Female
1 kΩ to 2 kΩ
1.3 kΩ (typical)
20 pF to 60 pF
30 pF (typical)
64 (2.50)
14 (0.56)
57 (2)
454 (16)
Tracking:
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.2 dB
Tracking:
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.2 dB
12.4 to 18 GHz: ±0.3 dB
Optimum square -law load
Positive polarity Output
Tracking:
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.2 dB
12.4 to 18 GHz: ±0.3 dB
18 to 26.5 GHz: ±0.5 dB
Optimum square -law load
Positive polarity Output
Tracking:
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.2 dB
12.4to 18 GHz: ±0.3 dB
Optimum square -law load
Positive polarity Output
Tracking:
0.01 to 12.4 GHz: ±0.2 dB
12.4to 18 GHz: ±0.3 dB
Optimum square -law load
Positive polarity Output
Optimum square -law load
Positive polarity Output
1. Specifications given for +25 °C unless otherwise noted. Specifications describe the instrument’s warranted performance. Supplemental characteristics (in italics) are
intended to provide information useful in applying the instrument by giving typical, but not warranted, performance parameters.
2. RF may leak through video connector especially below 1 GHz; if objectionable, this may be eliminated with low-pass filter.
3. SWR measured at 2 dBm.
4. Sensitivity decreases with increasing temperature typically 0.5 dB from 20 °C to +25 °C, 0.5 dB from +25 °C to +40v C. 1 dB from +40 °C to +55 °C, 1.25 dB from
+55 °C to +75 °C, 1 dB from +75 °C to +85 °C.
3
Applications
These detectors can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from lab
and production measurements to systems components. Because of their flat-
ness and match, these detectors can be used for accurately measuring trans-
mission and reflection characteristics in CW or swept-frequency measurements.
For these applications in which both flat-frequency response and square-law
characteristics are important, Option 423B, 847xB/C–001 provides a matched
pair of detectors that track each other within a few tenths of a dB, and Option
423B, 847xB/C–002 (external square-law load) extends the square-law region
up to at least 0.1 mW (10 dBm). Other common applications include use with a
coupler or power splitter to externally level a source, and to display pulsed-RF
and AM-modulated signals.
For OEM and systems applications, the broadband flatness and ruggedness of
these detectors make them particularly well suited for use in closed-loop level-
ing circuits in microwave instrumentation.
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ogies’ products, applications or services,
please contact your local Agilent office.
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Americas
Canada
Latin America
United States
Asia Pacific
Australia
China
Hong Kong
India
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
(877) 894-4414
305 269 7500
(800) 829-4444
1 800 629 485
800 810 0189
800 938 693
1 800 112 929
0120 (421) 345
080 769 0800
1 800 888 848
1 800 375 8100
0800 047 866
1 800 226 008
Square-law response
For many reflection and transmission measurements it is desirable to use the
detector in its square-law region where its output voltage is proportional to the
input RF power. As shown in figure 5, the LBSD typically operate within 0.5 dB
of square-law from the tangential signal sensitivity (TSS) level up to 18 dBm.
By specifying Option 423B, 847xB/C–002, a specially selected loading resistor is
provided which extends this square-law region to approximately 8 dBm with an
associated decrease in sensitivity as shown in figure 5.
Pulse response
The LBSD detectors have extremely good pulse detection characteristics when
working into low-capacitance, low-resistance loads. When loaded externally
with 50 Ω the LBSD detector can typically display 8 to 12 ns rise times. Figure 6
illustrates the equivalent circuit for the detector, as well as typical values for the
diode impedance and the RF bypass capacitor.
Europe & Middle East
Austria
01 36027 71571
Belgium
32 (0) 2 404 93 40
Denmark
45 70 13 15 15
Finland
358 (0) 10 855 2100
France
0825 010 700*
*0.125 €/minute
Diode
impedance
RF in
50
V
RF bypass
capacitor
Video out
Germany
07031 464 6333
Ireland
1890 924 204
Israel
972-3-9288-504/544
Italy
39 02 92 60 8484
Netherlands
31 (0) 20 547 2111
Spain
34 (91) 631 3300
Sweden
0200-88 22 55
Switzerland
0800 80 53 53
United Kingdom 44 (0) 118 9276201
Other European Countries:
www.agilent.com/find/contactus
Revised: October 6, 2008
Figure 7. Detector equivalent circuit
Ordering Information
To add options to a product, use the following ordering scheme: