Microwave Peak Power Measurement Independent of Detector Characteristics by Comparison of Video Samples

For measurement of RF pulse power, a 100 percent square-wave-modulated reference RF power is interlaced with the pulses. 100-ns-long samples are taken after detection from both the demodulated pulse and square wave. The level of the reference power is adjusted until both samples are equal. This method is independent of the temperature coefficient, law or stability of the detection efficiency. The method is compared with the notch wattmeter, crystal video-detector chopper, and sampling comparison using crystal switches.