Satellite LNB - Low Noise Block Downconverter

Here is a Low Noise Block downconverter (LNB), a device used in satellite communications to receive signals from satellites. The LNB is connected to a dish antenna and receives the signal reflected by the dish.

The device in particular has two high-frequency input (C-band/K-band?), that maybe correspond to the two polarization, that can be switched by cutting the power to the amplifiers. The mixer is kind of exotic, being that the LO is based on microstrip-coupled dielectric resonator, i.e. a Dielectric Resonator Oscillator (DRO).

The DRO is believed to be made with ceramic high dielectric constant materials, like Barium Titanate.

In summary

Dual Input Design: The two high-frequency inputs likely correspond to different polarizations (horizontal/vertical or left/right circular), which can be selected by controlling power to specific amplifier stages.

Dielectric Resonator Oscillator: The use of a DRO for the local oscillator is particularly interesting. DROs offer excellent frequency stability and low phase noise characteristics.

This LNB represents sophisticated microwave engineering principles applied to consumer satellite reception equipment, demonstrating how advanced RF technologies were made accessible for home use.