RF Limiter : Selection Guide, Benefits & Leading Manufacturers

Introduction: RF limiters protect sensitive components from excessive power levels. Choosing the right limiter ensures circuit safety and consistent system performance.

What is RF Limiter:
The RF device used to limit the RF signal to certain power limit as designed by its manufacturers is known as RF limiter. It helps to protect receiver and other RF components from damage due to higher power. It is also used to remove amplitude fluctuations and to keep power level as desired.

It is made using PIN diode or PIN schottky diode. Microwave or RF limiters are available from frequency range 500 MHz to 18 GHz. The figure-1 depicts one of the applications of RF limiter used in FM demodulator system.Refer RF Limiter basics>> for more information.

RF Limiter application

Selection guide

Following key parameters are evaluated for the selection of RF limiters for your requirements.
• Frequency Range : Ensure it supports the required operating frequency.
• Power Handling Capacity : Check the maximum input power level it can withstand without damage e.g. +30 dBm
• Insertion Loss : Should be lower (less than 1 dB) to ensure minimal signal degradation in normal operation.
• Limiting Threshold : Defines the power level at which the limiter starts attenuation (e.g. +10 dBm to +20 dBm).
• Recovery Time : Faster recovery time (in ns range) is crucial for protecting sensitive components in high speed RF circuits.
• Impedance Matching : Typically 50 Ohm
• Response Time : A fast acting limiter protects circuits in real time from sudden power surges.
• Form Factor & Integration : Available in SMT, coaxial and waveguide designs
• Operating Temperature

Advantages of RF Limiter

Following are some of the benefits of RF Limiter.
1. Prevents damage to low power circuits like receivers, mixers, and detectors from high power RF signals.
2. Ensures signal integrity by limiting excessive power, reducing distortion in communication systems.
3. Reduces wear and tear on RF front end components, improving overall system durability.
4. Allows receivers to handle a wide range of input power levels without saturation.
5. Offers reliable performance in harsh conditions.

RF Limiter manufacturers

Following table lists popular manufacturers or vendors of RF Limiter.

RF Limiter Manufacturers Description
L3 Narda-MITEQ PIN diode based RF limiters from 1 GHz to 18 GHz are available.
Website: https://nardamiteq.com/
Email: componentsnm@l3t.com (For component sales)
RF-Lambda PIN diode based RF limiters, for frequencies upto 39 GHz are available with power output in the range from 10 dBm to 27 dBm.
Website: https://www.rflambda.com/
Email: sales@rflambda.com
Krytar PIN-PIN diode based RF limiters from 0.5 GHz to 18 GHz range. PIN stands for Positive-Intrinsic-Negative
Website: https://krytar.com/
Email: sales@krytar.com
Skyworks Silicon based limiter diodes are available from 100 MHz to above 30 GHz range.
Website: https://www.skyworksinc.com/
Email: sales@skyworksinc.com
Fairview Microwave PIN diode and PIN Schottky diode based RF limiters are available from 1GHz to about 18 GHz frequency range.
Website: https://www.fairviewmicrowave.com/
Email: sales@fairviewmicrowave.com
Mini Circuits RF Limiters from 200 KHz to 8.2 GHz with power input of 5 dBm to 37 dBm are available.
Website: https://www.minicircuits.com
Email: sales@minicircuits.com
G.T.Microwave Inc. Website: https://gtmicrowave.com
Email: sales@gtmicrowave.com
MACO, CA, United States RF/microwave limiters upto 18 GHz range
Website: https://www.macom.com
Phone: 408.943.9002
Toll Toll Free: 408.943.9004
Qorvo RF power limiters for various frequencies are available.
Website: www.qorvo.com/

Conclusion

Using a high quality RF limiter prevents damage and enhances system reliability. Explore leading manufacturers for the best solutions.

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