Dual mode diode power sensor with square law and linear operating regions

A dual mode power meter provides a first operation mode in the square law operating range of the diode, and a second mode in the square law region as well as the transition and linear operating ranges of the diode. The power meter includes multiple diodes. A manifold made up of power dividers distributes a signal input to the power meter to the diodes. A different attenuation is provided to each diode so that the square law operating range for each diode covers a different power range. By selecting the appropriate diode output for power measurements in the first mode, the overall square law operating range for the power meter will be greater than a power meter using a single diode. The power meter further includes a memory map of voltage vs. power in the square law, transition and linear regions of a diode measured for an unmodulated CW input for the second operation mode. The map of voltage vs. power enables power to be measured faster in the second mode for unmodulated CW signals provided ...