Virginia Diodes VDI15.0AMP0055-15-20 Quick start guide

979 Second Street SE, Suite 309
Charlottesville, VA 22902-6172 (USA)
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
www.vadiodes.com
© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc. –All Rights Reserved
Waveguide Amplifiers
Operational Manual
2020

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Contents
Section 1 –Introduction.......................................................................................................Pages 2-3
Contents..................................................................................................................................................... Page 2
Safety and Operational Guidelines............................................................................................................ Page 3
Section 2 –Product Overview and Specifications ...................................................Pages 4-5
Amplifier Overview..................................................................................................................................... Page 4
Product Specifications ............................................................................................................................... Page 5
Appendix 1 –Amplifier Performance..........................................................................Pages 6-10
Amplifier Performance ........................................................................................................................ Pages 6-10
Appendix 2–Amplifier Drawings ..............................................................................Pages 11-12
Mechanical Drawing –WR15 to WR6.5 .................................................................................................. Page 11
Mechanical Drawing –WR4.3 ................................................................................................................. Page 12
Addendum –Product Updates and Company Contacts........................................... Page 13
Introduction
Section
One
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© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Safety and Operational Guidelines
Read all instructions and information in this product manual before connecting the product to external equipment.
Operational procedures must be followed for proper function. If you have questions, contact VDI before operating the
product.
VDI assumes the customer is familiar with microwave, millimeter wave and VDI products in general. The user and
customer are expected to understand all safety guidelines, health hazards and general advisories that may exist and
are associated with the use of this device. VDI is not responsible for any human hazards that may exist or may occur
while using this device.
Disassembly of any VDI components is prohibited and will void the product’s warranty. VDI is not responsible for the
warranty or guarantee of products that are damaged as a result of improper handling, testing, biasing, or use by the
user.
Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VDI) accepts no liability for damage or injury resulting from or caused by:
•Improper use, disassembly or use for other purposes than those for which the module was designed;
•Use outside common safety, health or general advisories pertaining to microwave, millimeter wave and VDI products;
•Repairs carried out by persons other than VDI or its assigned agents;
Waveguide Inspection / Test Port Care
•Inspect waveguide flanges prior to making connections.
•Waveguide screws should be torqued in the range 20-50 cNm, greater torque can damage the interface.
•Making a connection with metal debris between the waveguide flanges can damage the waveguide interface and prevent
repeatable connections.
•If debris is present, clean the flange with pre-dampened TexWipe wipes or swabs (e.g. Part Number TX1065).
•If these are not available, TexWipe cloths lightly dampened with ethanol may be used (e.g. Part Number TX604).
•Replace dust caps when the system is idle.
General Operating Practices and Recommendations
•Check with VDI before any measurement connection is attempted beyond those described in this manual or if it may
exceed commonly accepted standards of practice.
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Amplifier Safety and Operational Guidelines

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Waveguide Amplifiers
Amplifiers are able to boost a small input RF signal to a large output RF signal. VDI
offers amplifiers up to ~260 GHz with additional amplifiers under development. Higher
frequency or narrowband higher power amplifiers may be available upon request.
Amplifiers with VDI SAX and CCU / CCD Modules
VDI amplifiers can be used with VDI Spectrum Analyzer Extension (SAX or SAX-M)
Modules and Compact Converter (CC) Modules, configured for block up-conversion
mode. In block up-conversion mode, the module up-converts a block of IF signals in the microwave to millimeter-wave
frequencies. VDI amplifiers are available to boost the output power and overcome significant conversion and transmission losses.
The figure below shows how an SAX module can be used with a band pass filter and an amplifier to enhance the performance of
the module when configured for block up-conversion. Refer to the SAX Operational Manual for details on how to operate an SAX
module.
Waveguide Amplifier Overview
Section
Two
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© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
*Current WR4.3AMP design requires +5V bias voltage using Solder Pin connectors. The WR4.3AMP with +9V bias voltage and SMP(m) connectors is in
development and available upon request with longer delivery. Contact VDI for more information.
**An SMP to LEMO 00 cable or SMP to SMA cable or both can be provided. Must be specified on quote or PO. An SMP to LEMO 00 cable is provided if a VDI
Waveguide Amplifier is purchased with VDI SAX-UP, CCU, or CCD modules. SMP to LEMO 00 cable is for compatibility with VDI SAX-UP, CCU and CCD
modules. SMP to SMA cable is for general use. This does not apply to the WR4.3AMP with the Solder Pin connector.
†WR15AMP (50-75 GHz) is under development. The specifications listed here are estimated. Contact VDI for more information.
††All amplifiers will meet P1dB specification listed above and is expected to have similar P1dB performance as shown in Appendix 1. P1dB data will not be
provided with each amplifier.
Table 1: List of Amplifier specifications are shown.
General Specifications for VDI Waveguide Amplifiers
Description
Specification
Maximum Weight (lbs.)
0.1
Maximum Case Temperature
< 45°C
VDI Waveguide Amplifier Specifications
VDI Part Number
VDI15.0AMP-
0055/0067-15-20
VDI12.0AMP-
0067/0087-20-20
WR15AMP†
WR12AMP
WR10AMP
WR6.5AMP
WR4.3AMP
Amplifier Band (GHz)
55-67
67-87
50-75
60-90
75-110
110-170
170-260
Waveguide Interface
(UG-387/U-M)
WR-15
WR-12
WR-15
WR-12
WR-10
WR-6.5
WR-4.3
Gain, S21 (dB, typical)
17
20
15
18
18
20
24
Saturated Output
Power (dBm, typical)
20
19
20
20
20
18
16
Output P1dB (dBm,
typical)††
17
-
17
16
17
11
9
Input Reflection, S11
(dB, typical)
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-9
-9
Output Reflection, S22
(dB, typical)
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-3
Maximum RF Input
Power (dBm)
+10
+10
+10
+10
+10
+10
+6
DC Bias Voltage (V)
+9 ± 1
+9 ± 1
+9 ± 1
+9 ± 1
+9 ± 1
+9 ± 1
+5 / +9 ± 1*
Current Draw (Typical,
Maximum, mA)
150 / 500
150 / 500
400 / 500
150 / 500
150 / 500
200 / 600
550 / 600
Bias Voltage
Connector**
SMP (m)
SMP (m)
SMP (m)
SMP (m)
SMP (m)
SMP (m)
Solder Pin /
SMP (m)*
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Product Specifications

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Typical amplifier performance plots are provided below.
Amplifier Performance
Appendix
One
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0
5
10
15
20
25
60 65 70 75 80 85 90
dBm
Frequency (GHz)
WR12AMP - Saturated Output Power, P1dB
Psat P1dB
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
60 65 70 75 80 85 90
dB
Frequency (GHz)
WR12AMP - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Amplifier Performance –Continued
App-1
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-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
dB
Frequency (GHz)
WR10AMP - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22
0
5
10
15
20
25
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
dBm
Frequency (GHz)
WR10AMP - Saturated Output Power, P1dB
Psat P1dB

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Amplifier Performance –Continued
App-1
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0
5
10
15
20
25
110 120 130 140 150 160 170
dBm
Frequency (GHz)
WR6.5AMP - Saturated Output Power, P1dB
Psat P1dB
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
110 120 130 140 150 160 170
dB
Frequency (GHz)
WR6.5AMP - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Amplifier Performance –Continued
App-1
Pg-9
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260
dB
Frequency (GHz)
WR4.3AMP - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260
dBm
Frequency (GHz)
WR4.3AMP - Saturated Output Power, P1dB
Psat P1dB

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
App-1
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Amplifier Performance –Continued
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
50 55 60 65 70 75
dB
Frequency (GHz)
VDI15.0AMP-0055/0067-15-20 - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
60 65 70 75 80 85 90
dB
Frequency (GHz)
VDI12.0AMP-0067/0087-20-20 - S-Parameters
S11 S21 S22

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Mechanical Drawing (WR15, WR12, WR10, WR6.5 Amplifiers)
Mechanical Drawing –WR15, WR12, WR10, WR6.5 Amplifier
Appendix
Two
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© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
Mechanical Drawing (WR4.3 Amplifier)
Mechanical Drawing –WR4.3 Amplifier
App-2
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© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 26 June 2020
The Virginia Diodes staff of engineering and physical science professionals works to continually improve our products. We also
depend upon feedback from colleagues and customers. Ideas to simplify operations, improve performance or add capabilities are
always welcome. Be certain that Virginia Diodes has your latest contact details including a phone number and an email address to
receive update advisories.
Contact VDI:
Virginia Diodes, Inc.
Web: http://www.vadiodes.com
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Addendum —Product Updates and Company Contacts
Addendum
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