down-convertern.
/ˌdaʊnkənˈvəːtə/, U.S. /ˌdaʊnkənˈvərdər/ 1. Electronics. A device used to convert a signal to one of a lower frequency.
ΚΠ
1956 Proc. IRE 44 1183/1 Semiconductor diodes are now commonly used as down-convertors.
1985 IEEE Trans. Vehicular Technol. 34 174/1 This system is composed of two frequency synthesizers, a distortion detector (a down converter and low noise selective receiver),.., and a temperature selector.
2014 G. Dambrine in G. Crupi & D. M.M.-P. Schreurs Microwave De-embedding ii. 59 For noise measurements in the millimeter-wave frequency range, external downconverters are necessary.
2. In quantum physics: a crystal used to convert a single photon into a pair of photons, each having less energy and momentum than the original. Cf. downconversion n. 2.
ΚΠ
1965 Physical Rev. A. 137 1788/2 The amplification of the Stokes waves is very similar to that of a parametric down-converter.
1992 Sci. Amer. July 100 (caption) A down-converter sends pairs of photons in opposite directions.
2013 C. C. Gerry & K. M. Bruno Quantum Divide 97 When the pump photon encounters a down-converter, pairs of photons are produced.
3. A device which converts a high definition video signal to standard definition.
ΚΠ
1992 Brookings Papers Econ. Activity: Microeconomics 8 Mitsubishi has produced a down-converter that costs about $150.
2007 P. Wheeler High Definition Cinematogr. (ed. 2) xx. 109 The configuration of the down converter can vary from a large rack mounted unit through a small box handy for location work right down to a tiny unit that fits on the side of the camera.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1956