Patent ID: 8509684

Claim:
A microwave frequency converter comprising: an RF amplifier whose gain is adjustable to any value within a range of gain values, the range of gain values including a plurality of gain values associated with an amplified state and a plurality of gain values associated with an attenuated state, said amplified state being a state where the RF amplifier performs amplification and said attenuated state being a state where the RF amplifier performs attenuation; and a control circuit that applies a gain control voltage to the RF amplifier; wherein the control circuit controls the gain control voltage such that the gain of the RF amplifier is in the attenuated state during a period of time including a time during which a transmission section performs oscillation and times therebefore and thereafter, and to be in the amplified state during any period of time other than the period of time; and further wherein the RF amplifier does not perform attenuation when its gain value is associated with an amplified state.