Power detector boasts high dynamic range

Linear Technology’s LTC5596 RMS power detector has a wide RF input bandwidth of 100 MHz to 40 GHz with a linear dynamic range of 35 dB. The device responds in a log-linear 29-mV/dB scale to signal levels ranging from -37 dBm to -2 dBm, with less than ±1-dB error from 200 MHz to 30 GHz. In addition, the LTC5596’s response has ±1-dB flatness within this frequency range.

The detector is well-suited for the measurement of waveforms with a crest factor as high as 12 dB and waveforms that exhibit a significant variation of the crest factor during measurement. Its wide frequency range and improved sensitivity enables its use in radar systems, avionics, wireless infrastructure base stations, satellite communications, and test instrumentation.

Operating from a single 3.3-V supply, the LTV5596 draws a nominal supply current of 30 mA. The detector has built-in ESD protection, and all pins are capable of withstanding up to a 3500-V HBM discharge. I-grade parts operate over a temperature range of -40°C to +105°C, while H-grade components are rated from -40°C to +125°C and guarantee tight tolerance on their slope and intercept points.