The down converter - a critical synthetic instrument technology

This paper provides a brief overview of RF/microwave frequency translation functionality (up converters & down converters) and technology and discusses why they are important in the context of DOD related test and measurement. The paper then briefly reviews the concept of synthetic instruments (SI) and the role of the down converter in the SI paradigm. The paper then introduces the reader to some critical down converter specifications that must be optimized over a broad array of user RF/microwave test requirements. Based on this dissertation, the authors set forth their "One size does not fit all" thesis and introduce the concept of a "family of down converters". The authors then describe a flexible/modular down converter architecture that can be tailored to address a broad cross-section of down converter user needs. The paper then concludes with a summary statement by the authors about this critical synthetic instrument technology.