Abstract: An ultrafast sampler includes a series of Schottky diodes configured with a coplanar waveguide to form a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that compresses a local oscillator input to form a series of strobe pulses. Strobe pulses of opposite polarity are capacitively coupled to sampling diodes to obtain samples of a signal applied to a signal input. The samples are directed along an intermediate frequency waveguide to, for example, a signal processor such as an oscilloscope, for storage and analysis. The intermediate frequency waveguide is configured so that conductors of the intermediate frequency waveguide receive signal samples of a common polarity and strobe samples of opposite polarities so that portions of strobe pulses delivered to a signal processor are distinguished from signal samples.

Abstract: Frequency converters include waveguides configured for a local oscillator (LO) signal, an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, and an RF signal. A multimode IF waveguide can be used for selectively coupling of an IF signal and to reduce signal contributions produced by the LO signal. Typically, the multimode waveguide is situated to that the IF signal and the LO signal propagate in different waveguide modes, and a selected one of these signals can be selectively attenuated. In some examples, a periodically stepped waveguide is used to enhance propagation of a selected waveguide mode or a lossy conductor is used to attenuate a selected waveguide mode.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampler includes a series of Schottky diodes configured with a coplanar waveguide to form a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that compresses a local oscillator input to form a series of strobe pulses. Strobe pulses of opposite polarity are capacitively coupled to sampling diodes to obtain samples of a signal applied to a signal input. The samples are directed along an intermediate frequency waveguide to, for example, a signal processor such as an oscilloscope, for storage and analysis. The intermediate frequency waveguide is configured so that conductors of the intermediate frequency waveguide receive signal samples of a common polarity and strobe samples of opposite polarities so that portions of strobe pulses delivered to a signal processor are distinguished from signal samples.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampler includes a series of Schottky diodes configured with a coplanar waveguide to form a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that compresses a local oscillator input to form a series of strobe pulses. Strobe pulses of opposite polarity are capacitively coupled to sampling diodes to obtain samples of a signal applied to a signal input. The samples are directed along an intermediate frequency waveguide to, for example, a signal processor such as an oscilloscope, for storage and analysis. The intermediate frequency waveguide is configured so that conductors of the intermediate frequency waveguide receive signal samples of a common polarity and strobe samples of opposite polarities so that portions of strobe pulses delivered to a signal processor are distinguished from signal samples.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampling system includes an interposer and a sampler that include series of Schottky diodes configured with a non-parallel waveguide to form shocklines or nonlinear transmission line (NLTLs) that produce a differential strobe pulse. The shocklines are defined by non-parallel conductors that are configured as, for example, triangular, dentate, arcuate, or other shapes, or as conductors that have edges that are triangular, dentate, arcuate, or the like. The conductors are defined with respect to a substrate, and are airbridged so that at least some portions of the conductors are displaced from the substrate to reduce waveguide capacitance. Electrical connection to the sampler is made with airline having a inner conductor that is deformable to contact an input pad defined on the sampler.

Abstract: An ultrafast sampler includes a series of Schottky diodes configured with a coplanar waveguide to form a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that compresses a local oscillator input to form a series of strobe pulses. Strobe pulses of opposite polarity are capacitively coupled to sampling diodes to obtain samples of a signal applied to a signal input. The samples are directed along an intermediate frequency waveguide to, for example, a signal processor such as an oscilloscope, for storage and analysis. The intermediate frequency waveguide is configured so that conductors of the intermediate frequency waveguide receive signal samples of a common polarity and strobe samples of opposite polarities so that portions of strobe pulses delivered to a signal processor are distinguished from signal samples.