Measuring and minimizing diode detector nonlinearity

Abstract

This paper describes two techniques for measuring the linearity of amplitude detectors in general, and for measuring the deviation from square-law E of point-contact diode detectors in particular. A general mathematical model is given for determining the RF input power as a function of the detector output voltage. It is shown how to choose the value and the temperature coefficient of the video load resistance to minimize E and make E independent of temperature.