Labtech Microwave, one of the UK’s leading design and manufacturers of microwave solutions and bespoke microwave component technology has issued three white papers, with the aim of highlighting the use and performance of their products and capabilities.

The white papers cover detector log video amplifiers (DLVAs), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) multi chip modules (MCM-L) and PIN diode switches. Labtech Microwave has extensive experience in the design and manufacture of DLVAs and the DLVA white paper offers an insight into their capability and range. Although every DVLA requirement is different, typical usage includes applications where an output voltage is related to the power of a received radio frequency (RF) signal, such as direction finding and channelized receivers or phase array radar. A DLVA’s performance is linked to that of the system in which it is to be integrated and as a result Labtech Microwave now design bespoke parts to meet a system’s specific requirements.

Labtech Microwave produces MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuits) modules based on LCP substrates ranging from Ka band to >90GHz. Catering for a broad range of frequencies and thermal requirements, near-hermetic performance can be obtained from correctly configured LCP modules. Multi-chip modules may also be tailored to meet the various demands of multilayered structural applications.

The PIN diode switch is a standard offering from Labtech Microwave and typical attributes include high isolation, low insertion loss, fast switching speed and mechanically robust construction for use in harsh environments such as ship borne or airborne systems. The company is also now in a position to supply drivers to third parties who want to use standard parts in the switches they manufacture.

Alistair Frier, business development manager at Labtech Microwave said: “These white papers emphasise the wide range of capabilities Labtech Microwave has to offer. Even though our LCP packaging, switch and DLVA capabilities are well established, no two usages are exactly the same so Labtech Microwave has developed a wide range of differing LCP solutions and related technology to meet the necessary requirements of potential new customers. In addition,many of our established customers are large companies with many divisions and numerous engineers, so it is also important to reiterate our key messages.”