The backward-wave converter, an electronically swept receiver

The backward-wave converter is a hybrid device that combines the essential elements of an electronically swept receiver front end in a single vacuum envelope. The device directly converts an RF signal to an IF signal with the mixing processes taking place in an electron beam. The tuning is completely electronic, and octave frequency coverage has been achieved. Compared to the conventional crystal mixer system the device provides a number of advantages such as 1) elimination of crystal burnout, 2) isolation of local oscillator power from the antenna, 3) preselection and 4) voltage tunability at high rates of speed over a large frequency range. A theoretical analysis that compares satisfactorily with experimental data has been developed.