An UHF Software Defined Reflectometer using Under-Sampling Down-Conversion in the ADC

Radio frequency reflectometry is widely used in non-destructive characterization of various materials and can also be applied to automatic impedance matching systems in telecommunication devices. Here, a novel, low cost, software defined approach for measuring the reflection coefficient without using mixers or power detectors is proposed, enabled by using under-sampling down-conversion with an analog-digital-converter. Minimizing the analog part of the system removes possible error sources and a modular design allows application in different fields as well as an implementation as an integrated circuit. Computer simulations as well as measurement results on a printed circuit board setup for a system frequency of 400 MHz are presented, permitting extrapolation to other ultra-high frequencies.