Detectors, Discriminators, & Limiters
Manufacturers & Services

Diode detectors, discriminators, and limiters cover a very wide range of circuit configurations that perform functions like demodulating communications signal and signaling the presence of signals. Early detectors were implemented using vacuum tubes, but of course modern versions use silicon, germanium, GaAs, and other kinds of semiconductor compounds. Peak detectors, average detectors, video detectors, and others are built out of anything from standard PN junction silicon diodes to more elaborate constructions like Schottky, Gunn, and Esaki tunnel diodes.

Discriminators typically consist of a differentiator followed by an envelope detector, as with an FM radio. In general, it is a device that converts a property of an input signal, such as frequency or phase, into an amplitude variation, depending on how the signal differs from a standard or reference signal. Whereas a detector can be made of a single diode, resistor and capacitor, a discriminator is usually a more complex circuit.

Limiters are designed to prevent signals from exceeding a predetermined level, either to prevent damage to the following circuits, or to prevent signal degradation beyond a defined amount.

Advanced Control Components (now Cobham Signal & Control)

732-460-0212 | Eatontown, NJ

Products include amplifiers, attenuators, detectors, frequency converters, custom integrated assemblies, limiters, phase shifters, switches, switch matrices, synthesizers. Services include hybrid micro-electronic assembly, wire bonding, PCB assembly, RF and microwave test to 40GHz, product design.

Agile Microwave Technology | 516-931-1760 | Hicksville, NY

RF amplifiers, limiters, switches, and multipliers. Our goal is to cut product cost by more than 50% by keeping our overhead low, by staying small and focusing on innovative designs which are inspired by the commercial wireless market. Our goal is to provide same or better performance, size and quality at a much lower cost through better engineering and outsourcing to U.S. based contract manufacturers.

Cernex | 408-541-9226 | Sunnyvale, CA

Amplifiers, antennas, couplers, isolators, circulators, filters, diplexers, oscillators, noise sources, switches, phase shifters, transition & adapters, mixers, waveguide products, attenuators, terminations, detectors, subsystems.

Clear Microwave | 610-844-6421 | Malvern, PA |

N-way dividers/combiners (reactive & resistive), high power combiners, directional couplers, 90° & 180° 3 dB hybrids couplers, RF switches, phase shifters, limiters, detectors, bias Tees, DC blocks.

Cougar Components (now Teledyne Cougar) | 408-522-3838 | Sunnyvale, CA

RF and microwave cascadable amplifiers and subsystems in 100 kHz to 12 GHz range. Detectors, limiters, limiting amplifiers, attenuators, AGC amplifiers, oscillators w/MMIC amplifiers.

Herotek | 408-941-8399 | San Jose, CA

GaAs FET amplifiers, low-noise, small signal & power 0.01 to 50 GHz, limiters, detectors, switches, harmonic generators.

Lotus Communication Systems | 888-236-8588 | Weston, MA

RF modular system components up to 20 GHz - amplifiers, filters, attenuators, limiters, oscillators, bias-Ts. COTS shielded enclosures w/SMA connectors for RF / electronics prototyping. Customization to your specification from prototype to production.

Micronetics (now Mercury Systems) | 603-883-2900 | Hudson, NH

Test equipment, noise sources, voltage controlled oscillators, switches, limiters, phase shifters, attenuators.

MTI-Milliren Technologies | Newburyport, MA | 978-465-6064

Log, linear amplifiers, FM discriminators, IF limiters, VCXOs, OCXOs, TCXOs, small modular fixed frequency synthesizers.

Planar Monolithics | 301-662-5019 | Frederick, MD

Successive detection log video amplifiers, detectors, limiters, log amps, frequency discriminators, threshold detectors and receiver front-ends, phase shifters, digital control, fixed attenuators, power dividers.

Radar Technology (now MTI-Milliren Technologies) | 978-346-9775 | Merrimac, MA

Log, linear amplifiers, FM discriminators, IF limiters.

Radiall | 203-380-9800 | Stratford, CT

Antennas, attenuators, couplers, DC blocks, detectors, fiber optic components, phase shifters, surge protectors, terminations, coaxial adapters, connectors, switches.

Res-Net Microwave | 727-536-7861 | Largo, FL

Complete line of precision RF & microwave components including attenuators, terminations, resistors, and diode detectors for commercial, military, and space applications. Products range from the small flange type to large 2,000 watt connectorized power attenuators and/or terminations at frequencies up to 26.5 GHz. In-house photo etch and laser trim capability.

Specialist Microwave Solutions Ltd | 01234 756034 | UK

Manufactures a wide range of custom control devices based on Silicon PIN diode and GaAs MMIC technology, develops custom circuitry to specifications repairs 3rd-party components, offers PIN and GaAs FET switches, attenuators, amplifiers, oscillators, limiters, phase shifters, switched filter banks, & multi function assemblies.