PIN diode limiter - or TVS's ?

[biggeorgetechnical]

I have a 2 pole T network, as a high pass. The network feeds a Dc biased Schottky diode that is acting as the RF burst detector. These RF bursts are generated as transients due to sparking activity, generated by high voltage spikes.

For detection purposes, It is working very well, but sometimes the circuit I am sampling for RF burst emission, actually arc's down. When the high voltage arcs down, the Schottky diode is shorted out. I have placed some low capacitance transorbs by microsemi across (LC10's) across it, with better success, but I'd like to avoid them if possible.

I have no experience with PIN diodes and other methods, and any comments about how to provide protection to the detector diode would be appreciated.

Thanks,

George

 

[biff44]

Buy one from these guys.

http://www.hubersuhner.com/hs-rf-lightning-protectors

Are you looking to detect a narrow band of frequencies, or a broadband set of frequencies.

If it is narrowband, you can just run a quarterwave long length of line between the center conductor and ground of your input cable.

 

[biggeorgetechnical]

Thanks for the comment,
To try and answer your question, this is a 2 pole high pass, the coils are designed to offer a 3db point of ~100Mhz, according to the physical dimensions. It's intended to be (appears to act quite nicely)a broadband high pass detector. For example it readily detects a cell phone transmitter/reciever within 6-10 feet.

I'll take a look at the link as time permits

Any further comments appreciated,

George