A 2-18GHz ESM Receiver Front-End

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a dual channel 2-18GHz front-end module for Electronic Support Measures (ESM) applications. The module converts signals anywhere in the 2-18GHz frequency band to an IF suitable for digitisation. It includes limiting, filtering and amplification. The frequency conversion is realised by an intermediate transition to a frequency around 22-23GHz. The module contains 12 GaAs MMICs including 5 different designs 4 of which are full custom parts. It exhibits a gain of 10dB, a noise figure of around 7dB and a typical output 1dB compression point of - 10dBm.