Abstract: A radio frequency limiter having a radio frequency power divider having an input and a plurality of outputs; at least one diode connected in shunt with each one of the outputs of the power divider; and, a power combiner having an output and a plurality of inputs, each one of such inputs being connected to a corresponding one of the outputs of the power divider. With such arrangement, the insertion loss of such limiter is reduced compared to a limiter having a like number of diodes connected in shunt at a common point of a single transmission line. Therefore, the reduced insertion loss means that the impedance matching circuit required will not limit the maximum operating frequency to the degree an impedance matching circuit of similar complexity will limit the maximum operating frequency required for a limiter having the same number of diodes but using a single transmission line.

Abstract: Radio frequency energy detection circuitry for changing the logic state of an output signal from an initial state to a second state in response to received radio frequency energy exceeding a first predetermined power level, such circuitry being non-responsive to fades in such received radio frequency signal by preventing the second state of the output signal from reverting to the initial state until the power level of the received radio frequency energy falls below a second, lower predetermined power level.