Virginia Diodes WR15X3 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
Broadband Frequency Tripler
Operational Manual
2020

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 3 April 2020
Section 1 –General Overview, Safety and Operational Guidelines..................Pages 2-3
Contents.....................................................................................................................................................Page 2
General Overview, Safety and Operational Guidelines..............................................................................Page 3
Section 2 –Product Overview and Specifications ..................................................Pages 4-6
Product Overview....................................................................................................................................Page 4-5
Product Specifications................................................................................................................................Page 6
Appendix 1 –Broadband Frequency Tripler Performance...................................Pages 7-8
Performance –WR15 and WR10 ..............................................................................................................Page 7
Performance –WR3.4 and WR2.2.............................................................................................................Page 8
Appendix 2 –Efficiency vs. RF Input Power..................................................................Pages 9
Efficiency vs. RF Input Power ...................................................................................................................Page 9
Addendum –Product Updates and Company Contacts ...........................................Page 10
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Contents
Section
One

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 3 April 2020
Broadband Frequency Triplers
Virginia Diodes, Inc. offers a broad range of millimeter-wave, passive frequency triplers based on planar GaAs Schottky diode
technology. Frequency triplers can be used to extend the frequency coverage of microwave and millimeter-wave sources. VDI’s
broadband triplers have high efficiency across full waveguide bands without requiring any external DC bias. VDI offers broadband
frequency triplers from WR-15 (50-75 GHz) to WR-0.34 (2200-3300 GHz). Custom frequency triplers that are optimized for
specific applications may be available upon request.
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.
Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VDI) accepts no liability for damage or injury resulting from or caused by:
•Improper use, disassembly or use for purposes other than those for which the product 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 for debris prior to making connections.
•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 lint free wipes or swabs (e.g. TexWipe TX1065). If these are not
available, lint free cloths lightly dampened with ethanol may be used (e.g. TexWipe TX604).
•When device is not in use, cover appropriate waveguide flanges with provided dust cap or protective waveguide tape.
•Waveguide screws should be torqued between 20-50 cNm; greater values can damage the interface.
•Use a torque of 90 cNm when making coaxial connections. Avoid sharp bends in cables.
General Operating Practices and Recommendations
•This manual applies to products shipping after March 24, 2020.
•Check with VDI before any use is attempted beyond those described in this manual, including uses that may exceed
limitations stated here or commonly accepted standards of practice.
Required Operating Procedures
•DO NOT exceed maximum input power limits (see product datasheet).
•When attaching the tripler’s output port to an active device, the input return loss of the active device must not exceed 0dB.
Failure to follow these required operating procedures may damage or destroy the device and will void the product warranty.
General Overview, Safety and Operational Guidelines
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© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 3 April 2020
Low Frequency Broadband Frequency Triplers (WR-15 to WR-6.5)
These triplers will have a coaxial input port and a rectangular waveguide output port, with the exception of the WR-6.5 tripler, which has rectangular waveguide
input and output ports. The drawing and corresponding dimensions are for a typical WR-12 frequency tripler. Other triplers (WR-15 to WR-6.5) will have similar
configuration and dimensions.
Middle Frequency Broadband Frequency Triplers (WR-5.1 to WR-1.5)
These triplers will have rectangular waveguide input and output ports. The drawing and corresponding dimensions are for a typical WR-5.1 frequency tripler. Other
triplers (WR-5.1 to WR-1.5) will have similar configuration and dimensions.
High Frequency Broadband Frequency Triplers (WR-1.2 to WR-0.34)
These triplers will have a rectangular waveguide input. The output port will be either a rectangular waveguide or an integrated horn antenna (~25dBi). The drawing
and corresponding dimensions are for a typical WR-0.8 frequency tripler. Other triplers (WR-1.2 to WR-0.34) with the exception of WR-0.65 will have similar
configuration and dimensions. WR-0.65 frequency tripler will be in the compact form factor. See below.
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Section
Two
Product Overview
E-Field
E-Field
E-Field
0.90”
0.90”
0.90”
RF Input
0.75”
0.75”
0.80”
RF Input
1.00”
0.80”
0.25”
RF Output
RF Input
RF Output
RF Output
E-Field
E-Field

© 2020 Virginia Diodes, Inc.—All Rights Reserved—Rev: 3 April 2020
Compact High Frequency Broadband Frequency Triplers (WR-1.2 to WR-0.34)
VDI will transition the High Frequency Broadband Triplers to a compact form factor. These triplers will have a rectangular waveguide input and output flange. The
drawing and corresponding dimensions are for a typical WM-164 (WR-0.65) frequency tripler. Currently, only the WM-164 (WR-0.65) frequency tripler is available
in this form factor.
General Operating Procedure
RF input power must be applied to generate RF output power. The RF output frequency is exactly three times the RF input frequency.
E-Field
0.75”
0.75”
0.25”
RF Output
RF Input
E-Field
Product Overview –Continued
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