Patent ID: 8614594

Claim:
A downconverter comprising: an amplification unit; a first downconverter circuit; and a second downconverter circuit, the amplification unit comprising at least: a first amplifier for receiving a first polarized wave signal; and a second amplifier for receiving a second polarized wave signal, the first downconverter circuit comprising: a first reference signal generator for generating a first reference signal having a first reference frequency; a first local oscillator for generating a first local oscillation frequency signal by use of the first reference signal; a first frequency converter for converting a signal amplified by the amplification unit into an intermediate frequency by use of the first local oscillation frequency signal; a first bias circuit for supplying the first amplifier with power; and a first control circuit for controlling the first reference signal generator, the first local oscillator, the first frequency converter, and the first bias circuit in accordance with a first control signal, the second downconverter circuit comprising: a second reference signal generator for generating a second reference signal having a second reference frequency; a second local oscillator for generating a second local oscillation frequency signal by use of the second reference signal; a second frequency converter for converting a signal amplified by the amplification unit into an intermediate frequency by use of the second local oscillation frequency signal; a second bias circuit for supplying the second amplifier with power; and a second control circuit for controlling the second reference signal generator, the second local oscillator, the second frequency converter, and the second bias circuit in accordance with a second control signal, wherein, when the first control signal comprises an indicator of a power-saving mode, the first control circuit is configured to cause both the first local oscillator and the first frequency converter to be in a non-operating state, and controls the first bias circuit such that power is supplied to the first amplifier, wherein, when the second control signal comprises an indicator of the power-saving mode, the second control circuit is configured to cause both the second local oscillator and the second frequency converter to be in the non-operating state, and controls the second bias circuit such that power is supplied to the second amplifier.