Practical cryogenic receiver front ends for commercial wireless applications

Long-life, high-reliability cryocoolers, developed in the past decade, have allowed for the limited deployment of cryogenic microwave electronics in commercial wireless networks. We survey some of the background leading to current CRFEs and experience learned from early deployments. System reliability is a key issue for wireless providers, and must be an inherent consideration for CRFE design. CRFEs can be designed for lower cost by consolidating, eliminating and simplifying parts and assemblies. Here we focus on a new approach for computer aided filter trimming of complex filters in complex RF paths. Finally, we look ahead to other potential advances in CRFEs.