[NLRS] power measurement

[Chris Elmquist]

On Friday (02/10/2006 at 04:16PM -0600), Gerald wrote:
> 
> So one of the Analogue Devices log signal level chips that works to 8
> GHz takes care of much of you're needs. Adding a down converter for
> higher bands seems like it would be simple (and with a 100 MHz to 6 GHz
> IF bandwidth, the LO might not need to be crystal controlled ;<)) and a
> bandpass filter for an elementary spectrum analysis could be a more
> useful instrument than the bare broadband wattmeter.

And these are indeed very cool...  but how on earth do you work with
them at home given the packaging?  The AD8317 (1 MHz to 10 GHz) Log
Detector is in a 2mm x 3mm 8-Lead LFCSP package.  Geez!  First you
gotta make a board and then you have to figure out how to solder
it down.

I just ordered samples of a cool ADI synthesizer (ADF4360-6) that will
let me generate 1152 MHz from a 10 KHz GPS reference directly--  and
I failed to pay close enough attention to the packaging... and that
one too is in a 4mm x 4mm LFCSP package.  I know I am getting old
(43) but I never had trouble working with stuff at home until I
encountered these beasts.  I had to order the eval board to play.
What looked like a $6 project is now $120.  Geesh.

So, how do people make use of these things in a hobby context?

Chris NØJCF

-- 
Chris Elmquist
mailto:chrise at pobox.com
http://www.pobox.com/~chrise