Heterodyne Measurement Utility

When measuring a downconverted signal on an oscilloscope after a heterodyne mixer (e.g. ZEM-4300+ or ADE-11X+), the level read on screen is not the actual RF input level — it is reduced by the mixer's conversion loss, which varies with frequency. This calculator interpolates the conversion loss from the mixer's typical performance table and reconstructs the real RF signal level.

Enter the mixer type, target RF frequency, any external attenuation, and the value measured on the scope (dBm, Vpp or Vrms) to get the equivalent LO frequency, interpolated conversion loss, and the actual signal level and voltage at the source.

ZEM range: 300-4300 MHz [cite: 3]
ADE range: 10-2000 MHz [cite: 139]
Add any pads or cable loss before the mixer.
Ensure scope is set to 50 Ω impedance.
⚠️ SATURATION WARNING: Input power exceeds +1 dBm typical 1dB compression point. [cite: 29, 167]