OVERVIEW
Description
Virginia Diodes offers compact converters (CCs) for frequency up and down-conversion. These converters are easy to use and well suited for high performance up and down conversion of wide band modulated millimeter-wave signals. VDI CCs offer full waveguide band coverage and are available from WR28 (22.5-40 GHz) to WR10 (75-110 GHz) with additional CCs under development. Compact converters can typically be delivered within 8 weeks ARO or less. Contact VDI for more information.
Due to the double sideband nature of the CCUs, two sidebands (upper and lower sidebands) are generated during the upconversion process. A filter may be preferred for certain applications to eliminate one sideband. Click here for more information on our amplifier and filter products.
Compact Converter Configurations
Compact Up-Converter (CCU)

Compact Down-Converter (CCD)

PRODUCTS
Product Specifications for Compact Up-Converters (CCU)
|
|
WR28CCU |
WR15CCU |
WR12CCU |
WR10CCU |
LO Input Frequency (GHz)
|
22.5-40 |
25-37.5 |
30-45 |
37.5-55 |
PLO, LO Input Power (dBm, typical / damage)* |
0 / 10 |
0-3 / 9 |
1-4 / 9 |
1-4 / 9 |
IF Input Frequency (GHz) |
0.01-8.5 |
0.01-9 |
0.01-12 |
0.01-15 |
PIF, IF Input Power (dBm, ~P1dB / ~P0.1dB) |
8 / -5 |
PLO - 10dB / PLO - 20dB
|
PIF, IF Input Power (dBm, damage) |
10 |
0 |
RF Output Frequency (GHz) |
22.5-40 |
50-75 |
60-90 |
75-110 |
RF Output Flange |
WR-28 UG-599/U-M |
WR-15 UG-387/U-M |
WR-12 UG-387/U-M |
WR-10 UG-387/U-M |
LO Input Connector |
2.92mm(f) |
2.92mm(f) |
2.4mm(f) |
1.85mm(f) |
IF Input Connector |
2.92mm(f) |
Conversion Loss (typ., dB)†† |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Operating Temperature (Typical / Recommended) |
25°C / 20-30°C |
Typical Dimensions (in., without footplate) |
3.75 x 3.00 x 1.50 |
Product Specifications for Compact Down-Converters (CCD)
|
|
WR28CCD |
WR15CCD |
WR12CCD |
WR10CCD |
LO Input Frequency (GHz)
|
22.5-40 |
25-37.5 |
30-45 |
37.5-55 |
PLO, LO Input Power (dBm, typical / damage)* |
0 / 10 |
0-3 / 9 |
1-4 / 9 |
1-4 / 9 |
IF Output Frequency (GHz) |
0.0001-8.5 |
0.0001-9 |
0.0001-12 |
0.0001-15 |
PRF, RF Input Power (dBm, ~P1dB / ~P0.1dB) |
8 / -5 |
PLO - 10dB / PLO - 20dB
|
PRF, RF Input Power (dBm, damage) |
10 |
0 |
IF Amplifier Gain (dB)† |
~12 |
RF Input Frequency (GHz) |
22.5-40 |
50-75 |
60-90 |
75-110 |
RF Input Flange |
WR-28 UG-599/U-M |
WR-15 UG-387/U-M |
WR-12 UG-387/U-M |
WR-10 UG-387/U-M |
LO Input Connector |
2.92mm(f) |
2.92mm(f) |
2.4mm(f) |
1.85mm(f) |
IF Output Connector |
2.92mm(f) |
Conversion Loss (typ., dB)†† |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Operating Temperature (Typical / Recommended) |
25°C / 20-30°C |
Typical Dimensions (in., without footplate) |
3.75 x 3.00 x 1.50 |
*LO Input Power for optimal conversion loss varies with LO input frequency.
†CCD modules include an IF amplifier with ~12dB gain.
††Conversion Loss is defined as the intrinsic mixer conversion loss without any external amplifiers.
General Notes:
•VDI CCs include a single volt power supply.
•The required LO power for optimal performance varies across the frequency band. Performance specifications assume optimal RF and LO power coupled into the mixer; performance may be reduced near band edges.
•Conversion Loss performance is specified at ~1 GHz IF. Conversion loss increases as a function of IF, at a rate of ~1.5dB/10GHz, up to the specified Maximum IF Frequency. Performance is typical with reduced performance at band edges.
•RF Filters can be used to eliminate one sideband of the CCR RF output. Contact VDI for more information.
•RF amplifiers can be used to increase the CCU RF output power. Contact VDI for more information.
•Where available, an input isolator will smooth the required LO input power vs. frequency.
Performance Plots




Contact [email protected] for more information.
HIGH POWER
Description
Virginia Diodes offers Compact Converter modules that can operate at higher input powers. These modules offer higher output power than standard Compact Converter modules.
Specifications for High Power Compact Up-Converters (CCU)
|
CCU Part Number |
RF Output Frequency (GHz) |
LO Input |
IF Input Frequency (GHz) |
RF Output Flange |
IF Input Connector |
SSB Conversion Loss (dB, typ.) |
WR12CCU-HP |
60-90 |
N=4: 15-22.5 GHz 2.92mm(f)
|
~10 MHz to ~9 GHz |
WR-12 UG-387/U-M
|
2.9mm(f) |
10 |
N=2: 30-45 GHz 2.4mm(f)
|
Specifications for HP Compact Converters
|
Description
|
Specification |
IF Input Power
|
~0.1 dB Compression Point |
+1 dBm |
~1 dB Compression Point |
+11 dBm |
Damage |
18 dBm |
LO Input Power* (15-22.5 GHz, N=4) |
Typical |
10 dBm |
Damage |
20 dBm |
LO Input Power* (30-45 GHz, N=2) |
Typical |
0 dBm |
Damage |
6 dBm |
Operating Temperature |
Typical/Recommended |
25°C / 20-30°C |
Typical Weight |
- |
~2 lbs |
Typical Dimensions (in.) |
Without Footplate |
3.75 x 3.00 x 1.50 |
*LO Specifications are estimated typical values and can vary with frequency and LO input power.
Performance Plot

Contact [email protected] for more information.
RESOURCES
Product Manuals and Specifications
Mechanical Drawings
CCU 2D Drawings: