The RDL Model DCR-14000A Downconverter utilizes technology that RDL developed for military radar systems. The LOs are based on seven very low noise sources that are based on an 80 MHz crystal oscillator. These are mixed and matched to create 21 separate bands, each with very low phase noise. The output conversion gain is nominally 3 dB and the input required is only 0 dBm. You won’t need to find a low-noise microwave amplifier to make your signal big enough to measure. The output is band limited to 60-700 MHz. The basic unit covers the frequency range of 1 to 14.7 GHz. There is continuous frequency coverage, no holes around each LO, and the phase noise levels are state-of-the-art.

The frequency range of the DCR-14000A can be extended to 25 GHz with Option 01. The 10.24 GHz LO that is available full time inside the DCR-1400A is made available on the rear panel for mixing from higher frequencies. The phase noise performance of the DCR-14000A at these higher frequencies is virtually the same as at the lower bands because this LO’s noise is correlated with the noise of the other LOs. The 10.24 GHz signal is +10 dBm to accomodate a wide range of mixers.