Mi-Wave · mm-wave Mixers and Detectors
Detectors and Mixers
Signal detection and frequency conversion from 26.5 GHz to 220 GHz for test, radar and satellite engineers.
Mi-Wave detectors and mixers cover amplitude detectors (950 Series), harmonic mixers (920 Series), wide-band balanced mixers (970/980 Series) and I/Q mixers (971 Series), across Ka, Q, U, V, E, W, F, D and G bands. They are built on Schottky-barrier diodes or MMICs for sensitivity, low conversion loss and good port isolation. Whether you are extending a spectrum analyzer, closing a phase-locked loop or building a wideband EW or ELINT receiver, there is a standard model or a custom variant to fit. Evencat is an authorized Mi-Wave distributor in Taiwan.
Overview
Mi-Wave has supplied mm-wave detectors and mixers since 1989 in four groups. The 950 Series amplitude detector turns RF energy into a DC voltage with better sensitivity and dynamic range than a typical power sensor, needs no bias, and covers Ka through D band with sensitivity up to 2000 mV/mW. The 920 Series harmonic mixer uses a Schottky-barrier diode to bring a mm-wave signal down to an IF and so extends the top frequency of a spectrum analyzer; the 920G reaches 220 GHz, and the current datasheets specify +13 dBm LO drive (earlier listings quoted +10 dBm). The 970 (down-converting) and 980 (up-converting) wide-band balanced mixers are aimed at EW and ELINT: IF bandwidth reaches DC to 30 GHz, conversion loss falls to 8 dB in V-band, LO drive is 13 dBm and LO-RF isolation is 28 dB. The 971 Series I/Q mixer delivers in-phase and quadrature outputs, IF from DC to 12 GHz and 10 dB conversion loss, for radar receivers, communications instruments and satellite systems. When you specify, match the waveguide band first, then the IF bandwidth and whether the LO/IF port must be diplexed.
Key specifications
| Amplitude detector frequency range (950 Series) | 26.5 GHz – 170 GHz (Ka to D band) |
|---|---|
| Amplitude detector sensitivity (950A/599, Ka-band) | 1500 mV/mW (measured at -20 dBm, extrapolated to 1 mW) |
| Amplitude detector saturation input | -15 dBm or higher (all 950 Series) |
| Harmonic mixer RF range (920 Series) | 26.5 GHz – 220 GHz (Ka to G band, 9 models) |
| Harmonic mixer LO range (920 Series) | 2 GHz – 20 GHz |
| Harmonic mixer LO drive (920 Series) | +10 dBm on earlier listings; current datasheets specify +13 dBm |
| Balanced mixer conversion loss (970/980 Series) | 8 – 12 dB (typical, by band) |
| Balanced mixer IF bandwidth (970/980 Series) | DC – 30 GHz (970EF/387, E-band) |
| Balanced mixer LO-RF isolation (970/980 Series) | 28 dB (typical) |
| I/Q mixer conversion loss (971 Series) | 10 dB (RF to IF, all models) |
| I/Q mixer LO/RF isolation (971 Series) | 28 dB (typical) |
| I/Q mixer maximum LO + RF input (971 Series) | 17 dBm |
Features
Amplitude detectors: sensitive and unbiased
The 950 Series uses finline detector technology and runs without external bias; Ka-band sensitivity reaches 1500 mV/mW, with speed and dynamic range beyond a conventional power sensor, which suits fast scalar work.
Harmonic mixers: extend the analyzer
The 920 Series mixes an LO harmonic with the RF to produce an IF, so an existing spectrum analyzer can measure to 220 GHz without replacement, from an LO of modest power.
Balanced mixers: very wide IF for EW/ELINT
The 970 (down) and 980 (up) Series are designed for electronic warfare and ELINT: IF bandwidth to DC–30 GHz, conversion loss down to 8 dB, and biased versions that lower the LO drive needed.
I/Q mixers: in-phase and quadrature outputs
The 971 Series delivers I and Q outputs with IF from DC to 12 GHz and 10 dB conversion loss, for radar sensors, communications receivers and satellite phase demodulation.
Waveguide ports from Ka to G band
Every series presents a standard rectangular waveguide port from WR-28 (Ka-band) to WR-05 (G-band, 220 GHz) with SMA female IF/LO connectors, so it fits existing test systems.
Schottky and MMIC platforms
Beam-lead Schottky diodes or MMICs give low DC offset, good port isolation and consistent unit-to-unit performance at +25°C.
Typical applications
Test instruments
Extending a VNA and characterizing components
A 920 Series harmonic mixer or a wide-band balanced mixer as the receive element of a frequency-extension module takes a VNA from the microwave bands up to V-band (75 GHz), W-band (110 GHz) and beyond. Engineers then characterize amplifier gain, filter insertion loss and antenna S-parameters over the full band without buying a full-band instrument.
Radar systems
Down-conversion and detection in radar receivers
In 77/94 GHz automotive radar, FMCW ranging radar and EW receivers, an I/Q mixer brings the mm-wave echo down to IF for the ADC and DSP to extract range, velocity and angle. An amplitude detector monitors power level and drives the AGC loop so the signal stays inside the dynamic range.
R&D lab
Material measurement and non-destructive testing
In materials science and NDT, a balanced phase detector resolves the phase change of a transmitted or reflected signal. With a swept source it forms a free-space measurement system for the permittivity of composites, the performance of absorber coatings and the uniformity of semiconductor wafers; coverage from 18 to 110 GHz lets one system span several ITU mm-wave windows.
Options and configuration
Choose the series, band and interface you need; the selections are collected into a list and carried into the quote form.
Series
Band and waveguide size
IF output and interface (mixers)
Downloads
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