A novel 5GHz RF power detector

The principles of a RF power detector using bipolar transistors are analyzed and a new RF power detector for embedded RF IC test is proposed. The new detector uses a voltage divider to provide unequal ac signals for its differential input. It has a more linear transfer function for large-signal detection than previously reported detectors. Also, the detector retains its square-law transfer characteristics for low-level-signal detection. The errors in linear or square-law region operation are within 2%. The crossover region between detector linear and square-law operation is minimized to 30∼50mV and its detection error is within 8% using either linear or square-law estimation. The detector has 65dB dynamic range and it can work with 5GHz or higher signals as compared to roughly 30dB dynamic range in R.G. Meyer (1995).