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Envelope Vs RMS

Category: Datasheet/Specs
Product Number: LTC5582

What is different between Envelope and RMS power detector?

  • The RMs detector converts the thermoelectric effects of the RF signal into a voltage. Basically output voltage would correspond to the temperature as the matched load heats up. The envelope detector tracks the envelope of the modulated RF signal. Usually, the envelope detector has a larger bandwidth, a wider frequency range, and a higher dynamic range. On the other hand, accuracy and temperature stability are important for RMS detectors. if you known modulation type there is a clear relation between peak power (max. value of envelope power values) and RMS power. 

  • Thansks for information.

    If I would like to calibration RF modulation type power,whcih one is more suitable? 

    If I would like to calibration RF CW type power,whcih one is more suitable? 

  • Usually the envelope detectors are not suitable for calibration. These detectors are used for different tasks such as protection of Power Amplifiers or receiver inputs. Or as a demodulator for pulse-modulated signals. For calibration I recommend you take RMS detector - there are generally 2 types: log detectors and true power detectors