M/A-COM, a part of Tyco Electronics, has introduced the TU-6401 low-power signal intelligence (SIGINT) microwave tuner in a compact VME form factor. Designed for signal search and collection applications, the tuner features a frequency range of 0.5 to 18.0 GHz with 100- and 500-MHz intermediate-frequency (IF) bandwidths centered at 160 and 1000 MHz, respectively. The unit's RF downconverter is coupled to a fast-tuning direct-digital synthesizer (DDS) to ensure rapid frequency switching. According to Marty Cunningham, Sales and Marketing Director with Tyco Electronics, "Because of its built-in local oscillator distribution system, the TU-6401 tuner can be used in beam forming and direction-finding systems, as well as in a wide range of electronic signal intelligence and electronic-warfare applications." The tuner includes IF and log-video output ports with a noise figure of typically less than 12 dB.
M/A-COM, Inc. (www.macom.com)