Multi-Octave Interference Detectors with Sub-Microsecond Response

Abstract

High-power interferers are one of the main hurdles in wideband communication channels. To that end, this paper presents a wideband interferer detection method. The presented technique operates by sampling the incoming signal as an input, and produces the frequency and the power readings of the detected interferer. The detection method relies on driving an open circuit stub, where the voltage is proportional to the power of the interferer, and the standing wave pattern is an indicator of its frequency. This approach is feasible over multi-octave bandwidth with a wide power dynamic range. The concept is analyzed for design and optimization, and a prototype is built for a proof-of-concept. The measured results demonstrate the ability to detect an interferer within the 1-16 GHz frequency range, with a power dynamic range between -20 to 20 dBm. The detection concept is also fitted with different types of tunable bandstop filters (BSFs) for automatic detection and suppression of the interferer if its power exceeds a programmable threshold. With a measured response time of 500 ns, the presented method is a technology enabler for wideband receivers.