Hopefully, Sandy's MMIC tripler will eliminate the need for this device. Development is on hold pending results of the MMIC tripler tests. This is to replace the W-Band Spacek mixer with one of our own design so that we can integrate it with the other LO source components. This technology holds great promise in simplifying the LO Source design. A prototype driver has been built up using available parts and measurements of power at 55 GHz and 110 GHz have been made.
Some reflections exist in the data.
Tests are planned to measure noise and then to use this to drive the 110 GHz to 220 GHz doubler. The power measurements were made with LabView and represent a step toward automated measurements of multipliers and sources. There was some technical discussion on the possibility of spurious oscillations that could be a possible source of error in the power measurements. These are primarily only a concern if drawing forward current. The power measurements shown were with zero forward current.