View Single Post
  #10   Report Post  
Old February 3rd 05, 07:25 PM
Mark
 
Posts: n/a
Default




Must be my lucky week!. I needed to make some similar readings.

Thanks!.
I still puzzle over the oft quoted "up to about 30mVrms the output

from the
diode offers a square law response and will approximate a true RMS
measurement.
As the OP found, there's very little happening down there. Who makes

these
sweeping statements?.
regards
john


No it's true. Look at the curves and notice that the current scale on
the x axis is a log scale. When the RF input is very small, the DC out
is proportional to the log of the RF level i.e. the RF in dB. This is
how the normal power meter works. It also provides a true RMS value
for modulated RF signal. Once the signal gets too big and the diode
begins to work as a converntoin rectifier, this relationship no longer
holds true. Notice the curves break upeards. When the RF volatge to
log I curves are straight line, this is rhe square law region where the
diode current gives you true RMS readings of the RF voltage.
Think of it as a voltage in dB to current converter.

Mark