SAW monolithic convolver structure with improved reproducibility

A single-plate SAW (surface acoustic wave) monolithic convolver structure is presented which retains the foldover and double transit suppression advantages of the parallel plate convolver by utilizing MSC-SBWCs (multistrip-coupler symmetric beamwidth compressors). Using this structure, a convolver with a 434-MHz center frequency, 100-MHz bandwidth, and 20 mu s of processing time was designed and built. Included in the device design were periodically sampled dispersive transducers, MSC symmetric beamwidth compressors, parabolic horns, and monolithic resistors. An F-factor of -66 dBm and a foldover convolution greater than 42 dB down was achieved. Manufacturing advantages include easier fabrication of a period structure and single layer photolithography, SAW substrate mounting without a second dielectric substrate, and simple transducer tuning to achieve a better than 1.5:1 input voltage standing wave ratio.<>