Boonton Power Sensor - Manual (Page 37)

Figure 5-1. Pulsed RF Operation
Pulsed RF Power
5-1 Pulsed RF Power Operation
30 Power Sensor Manual
Although this manual discusses power sensors used with average responding power
meters, for rectangular pulsed RF signals, pulse power can be calculated from average
power if the duty cycle of the reoccurring pulse is known. The duty cycle can be found
by dividing the pulse width (T) by the period of the repetition frequency or by
multiplying the pulse width times the repetition frequency as shown in Figure 5-1.
This technique is valid for the entire dynamic range of Thermocouple Sensors and
allows very high pulse powers to be measured. For Diode Sensors, this technique is
valid only within the square-law region of the diodes.
t
P
avg
P
p
P
Duty Cycle =
T
T
r
P
p
=
P
avg
Duty Cycle
T
T
1
f
r
r
=
5
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