Receiver

The receiver amplifies the signal. Most VLBA receivers are HFETs (Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors) at a physical temperature of 15 K, but the 90 cm and 50 cm receivers are GaAsFETs (Gallium Arsenide FETs) at room temperature. Each receiver has 2 channels, one for RCP and one for LCP. The 1 cm, 7 mm, and 3 mm receivers also perform the first frequency down conversion.