RF Limiter not working as it should
Thanks
I would expect antiparallel diodes instead of two diodes with same polarity. What's your specification for the limiter (output versus input level, operation frequency)?
Use PIN switch diodes and it will work - that is, if you control the bias current from some sort of AGC.
What you mean with " without biasing" ? DC level was 0 V, or the inductor was disconnected ?
The inductor must be conected to ground directly or through a DC power supply, otherwise the DC voltage generated by the diode can't flow. Thus the circuit can't work.
Using an antiparallel diode, the DC current will flow through the directly ploarized diode (that depends from the polarity of the input waveform) so the inductor is no required and it will work as zero bias limiter. In this case the biasing could be a little bit more complicated
For one thing, diode based limiters usually trip on around, say, 100 milliwatts or so. Expecting one to turn on at -30 dBm is pure folly.