frequency sources

API Technologies

API Technologies offers an extensive design library of low phase noise
sources from both our talented staff of RF Engineers and the rich heritage
of Radian Technologies, Magnum Microwave and EMF Systems.

API Technologies combines these engineers with other team members,
specialists in their own right who design high performance amplifiers,
mixers, filters, and switches, optimizing your overall design for superior
performance and value.

PDF Check out the frequency tour

PDF Check out the frequency brochure

 

Synthesizers
Synthesizers
  • API’s synthesizers offer wide bandwidth, multiple step size options,
    fast switching speed, and low phase noise combined with the cost advantages
    of standardized packages.
  • Frequency control options include Serial/parallel inputs, BCD/Binary
    format, or traditional thumbwheel switches.
PLOs (Phase Locked Oscillators)

PLOs

API Technologies’ experience with Phase Locked Oscillators covers a period
of 35 years. We have worked closely with Systems Engineers on some of the most
technically sophisticated programs in the country.

The PLO must be compatible with other components in the system and must not
only operate properly on the “bench” but must also operate properly within
complex systems.

DRO’s and CRO’s

DRO's and CRO's

API’s Line of Dielectric Resonator Oscillators (DROs) and Coaxial Resonator
Oscillators (CROs) are designed and built with both small size and low phase
noise in mind.

Packed full of standard features, our complete line of free running DRO
designs operate from 500 MHz to 21.5 GHz, with “modified standard” units
available in all frequencies from HF to Ku band.

Comb Generators

Comb Generators

API Technologies’ Series 95 Comb Generators use a Step Recovery Diode (SRD) to
generate very narrow voltage spikes; these in turn produce an output frequency
spectrum rich in harmonics.
The spacing between the signals is equal to the source that drives the SRD which
in most cases is a stable crystal oscillator.

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Oscillators

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Oscillators

API Technologies, a leading manufacturer of standard and custom SAW Oscillators,
combines low phase noise, excellent frequency stability and rugged construction in
a line-up of cost effective SAW Oscillator solutions.

VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators)

VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators)

API Technologies’ VCOs are high quality devices designed to serve both commercial and military requirements.
Using high performance varactor diodes and optimizing circuit design techniques, API’s engineering achieves
low phase noise and superior high selectivity performance.

DTOs (Digitally Tuned Oscillators)

DTOs (Digitally Tuned Oscillators)

Our custom designed DTOs consist of a select number of sub-band VCOs covering
customer specific frequency ranges between 2 GHz and 18 GHz.
Additional features include: low residual FM (<-20 dBc @ 100 kHz),
RF output power (+10 to +16 dBm), high reliability for military applications,
and fully-customizable output connectors.

Digitally Controlled Crystal Oscillators

Digitally Controlled Crystal Oscillators

API’s Digitally Controlled Crystal Oscillators (DCXO) combine the frequency
stability of a crystal oscillator source with the flexibility of direct digital
synthesis (DDS) in a temperature controlled housing to provide a highly accurate
output signal.

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LOW PHASE NOISE SYNTHESIZERS

API Technologies’ synthesizers offer wide bandwidth, multiple step size options, fast
switching speed, and low phase noise combined with the cost advantages of standardized
packages. Frequency control options include Serial/parallel inputs, BCD/Binary format, or
traditional thumbwheel switches.

API also offers several different options for locking to a specific source. The
customer may choose internal reference crystal oscillators or low ppm OCXO’s. External
reference frequencies can range from 10-100 MHz, depending on the customer’s system.

Features

Ultra Low Phase Noise

Ultra Low Phase Noise

API Technologies incorporates an integral DDS synthesizer for low phase noise,
fine frequency resolution and fast nsec switching speed.

Novel Packaging

Novel Packaging

These lower cost surface-mount synthesizers are ideal for commercial applications
where cost is the leading performance driver.
They are also designed for low current consumption (25 mA) and employ a 3-wire
serial interface for microprocessor compatible frequency control.

Wide Ranging Options

Wide Ranging Options

API Technologies’ own line of low CL mixers allows multiple conversions
to the desired frequency with minimal Phase Noise degradation.

Multiple Interfaces

Multiple Interfaces

Multiple controller interface allows user to select the option that suits
their needs! Customer’s select from Serial, Parallel, BCD, RS-232, RS-422, GPIO,
Ethernet, USB, and microprocessor control.

Custom Units Available

Custom Units Available

Custom synthesizers feature rugged construction and the latest circuit
techniques which makes them suitable for either military or commercial applications.

View the full product line on the API homepage

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PHASE LOCKED OSCILLATORS

API Technologies’ experience with Phase Locked Oscillators covers a period of 35 years.
We have worked closely with Systems Engineers on some of the most technically sophisticated
programs in the country. The phase locked oscillator must be compatible with other components
in the system and must not only operate properly on the “bench” but must also operate properly
within complex systems.

API Technologies engineers review power supply noise, load impedances, and other system
considerations to provide a design that will be successful during full integration into your
system.

Features

Superior Phase Noise Performance

Superior Phase Noise Performance

For Superior Phase Noise Performance, API Technologies engineers integrate
both a doubler and a x4 multiplier, optimizing the 100 MHz reference signal.

Rich in Features

Rich in Features

An integral voltage regulator is incorporated to ensure
Superior Phase Noise Performance and Reduced Spurious Signals.
Phase Lock Indicator output is also provided for built-in test or error detection.

Enhanced Performance

Enhanced Performance

Isolators are also incorporated for enhanced performance.
The internal oscillator is isolated from the phase lock circuitry for
improved spurious performance.

More Standard Features

More Standard Features

Our PLOs feature internal crystal frequency monitoring for precision tuning
and ideal reference performance. We frequently integrate low-loss Isolators for
improved pulling and added isolation from effects bad load VSWR.

View the full product line on the API homepage

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DROs & CROs

API’s Line of Dielectric Resonator Oscillators (DROs) and Coaxial Resonator Oscillators (CROs)
are designed and built with both small size and low phase noise in mind. Packed full of standard
features, our complete line of free running DRO designs operate from 500 MHz to 21.5 GHz, with
“modified standard” units available in all frequencies from HF to Ku band.

Our ceramic based resonators are very low loss and dependably stable, even during extreme
temperature changes. To reduce Modulation Side-bands and Microphonics during high vibration &
shock, our designs insure that the resonator is securely & firmly attached to the housing.

Features

Rich in Standard Features

Rich in Standard Features

Includes screened high performance voltage tuned varactor diodes for tuning repeatability, long term stability and predictable phase noise.

Features custom thin film microstrip boards for improved noise performance.

Metallized PC backplanes are used for improved grounding and superior stability.

Superior Engineering

Superior Engineering

Our custom designed and tuned filters and mixers significantly outperform
off-the-shelf components and contribute to our optimized full system performance.

With resident thin film hybrid, oscillator, and amplifier design and fabrication
support, API Technologies is able to design complete solutions for demanding requirements.

Ultra Low Phase Noise

Ultra Low Phase Noise

Our exceptional Low Phase Noise performance offers you: better receiver sensitivity,
improved sub-clutter visibility, enhanced system noise floor, and a lower bit error rate.

View the full product line on the API homepage

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COMB GENERATORS

API’s Series 95 Comb Generators use a Step Recovery Diode (SRD) to generate very narrow
voltage spikes; these in turn produce an output frequency spectrum rich in harmonics. The
spacing between the signals is equal to the source that drives the SRD which, in most cases,
is a stable crystal oscillator. The crystal oscillator is normally internal, however, an
external signal can be used to drive the SRD.

Designing and producing our improved phase noise comb generators in-house allows API
Technologies to offer improved Spurious response and better selectivity.

Features

Signal Integrity

Signal Integrity

Optional output filtering is provided to insure a clean signal with optimum
combs within the acquired band of interest.

Customizable Options

Customizable Options

For improved phase noise & stability, an internal OCXO is an option.

The output can be the full comb spectrum, filtered to select certain combs,
or we can add a switched filter bank to select the output band of your choice.

External Frequency Sources

External Frequency Sources

For improved noise & stability, we can phase lock to an external frequency source.

High Performance

High Performance

The spacing between the comblines is equal to the frequency of the source that drives the SRD.

That source can be internal or external, crystal oscillator/VCO/CRO, fixed or voltage tuned,
free running or phase locked, and many other combinations.

View the full product line on the API homepage

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LOW PHASE NOISE SAW OSCILLATORS

API Technologies designs and manufactures high performance SAW Oscillators for
today’s space and defense market. API utilizes a low jitter planar SAW which translates
to extremely low phase noise performance and exceptionally low accumulated jitter.
These high performance SAW Oscillators, in frequencies from 100 MHz to 20 GHz, also
feature high stability and reliability.

Features

Core Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Three types of SAW Oscillators:
    • Fixed Frequency
    • Voltage Controlled (VCO)
    • Phase Locked (PLO)
  • Low Phase Noise Performance to -124 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz offset
  • Superior Phase Jitter Less Than 1 psec (RMS)
  • High Stability of Less Than 10 ppm/year
  • On-board Micro-controllers to Maintain Signal Integrity
  • Hermetically Sealed

View the full product line on the API homepage

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LOW PHASE NOISE VCOs

API Technologies’ VCOs are high quality devices designed to serve both
commercial and military requirements. Using high performance varactor diodes
and optimizing circuit design techniques, API Technologies achieves superior high
selectivity performance.

Features

Gold Substrates

Gold Substrates

Gold Substrate Film yields Lower Loss and enhances Phase Noise Performance.

Low Junction Temperatures

Low Junction Temperatures

Ceramic and Metal Construction provides Low Junction Temperatures, Higher MTBF, and Wider Temperature Operating Range.

Added Temperature Stability

Added Temperature Stability

For an added level of temperature stability, we add Thermistors on all
VCO designs.

High Output Power

High Output Power

We use Bipolar Transistors to achieve Low Phase Noise and High Output Power.

Screening to MIL-STD-883B is available.

Lowpass Filtering

Lowpass Filtering

We integrate a unique Low Pass Filter for Superior Harmonic Performance.

View the full product line on the API homepage

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DIGITALLY TUNED OSCILLATORS (DTOs)

Features

High Reliability

High Reliability

API Technologies offers a complete line of Digitally Tuned Oscillators (DTOs). These custom designed DTOs consist of a select number of sub-band VCOs covering customer specific frequency ranges between 2 GHz and 18 GHz.

The sub-band RF outputs are selectively switched to a common RF output port. Sufficient
sub-band overlap insures full band coverage for these DTOs.

Digital Tuning

Digital Tuning

Digital tuning is via a 16 bit, parallel input word. Several bits are used for selecting the desired sub-band and 12 to 14 bits are used for frequency tuning.

Silicon semiconductors are used to provide the best possible phase noise and post tuning drift performance.

Versatile Features

Versatile Features

API Technologies offers standard features including: fast settling time
(< 1 msec), wide frequency range (2-18 GHz), low post tuning drift (< 4 MHz @ 1 msec),
low spurious output (< -60 dBc), harmonics (-25 dBc max), as well as excellent
phase noise performance (<-65 dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz).

Additional features include: low residual FM (<-20 dBc @ 100 kHz), RF output power
(+10 to +16 dBm), high reliability for military applications, and fully-customizable output connectors.

Custom Features

Custom Features

API Technologies also supports the following optional DTO features:
power output status indicator, phase locked module with phase lock indicator,
internal heater for frequency stability over temperature, analog FM input.

Hybrid MIC Technology

Hybrid MIC Technology

Hybrid MIC technology reduces overall package size and helps ensure
overall system reliability. Fast settling time and excellent spectral
purity make API DTOs ideal for simulators and other EW applications.

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Digitally Controlled Crystal Oscillators

API’s Digitally Controlled Crystal Oscillators (DCXO) combine the frequency stability
of a crystal oscillator source with the flexibility of direct digital synthesis (DDS)
in a temperature controlled housing to provide a highly accurate output signal.

The output frequency is controlled by a 16 bit binary work supplied from an external
source to control the frequency.

Products

MIS-20079/26
  • Output Frequency: 70 MHz
  • Frequency Deviation: ± 140 KHz
  • Frequency Increment: 4.2735 Hz
  • Output Power: 9 ± 0.8 dBm
  • Long Term Stability ± 1.5 x 10-6/yr.
  • Phase Noise: >138 dB/10 KHz
  • Isolation: =40 dB
  • Spurious Levels: =84 dBc
  • Mech Freq. Adjustment: ± 5 ppm min.
  • Operating Temp. Range: -20° to 60°C
MIS-20079/27
  • Output Frequency: 85 MHz
  • Frequency Deviation: ± 70 KHz
  • Frequency Increment: 2.13675 Hz
  • Output Power: 0 ± 0.8 dBm
  • Long Term Stability ± 1.5 x 10-6/yr.
  • Phase Noise: >138 dB/10 KHz
  • Isolation: =40 dB
  • Spurious Levels: =64 dBc
  • Mech Freq. Adjustment: ± 5 ppm min.
  • Operating Temp. Range: -20° to 60°C

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