Agilent Technologies 11970-90031 User Manual

User’s Guide

11970 SERIES

HARMONIC MIXERS

(K, A, Q, U, V, and W Models)

Manufacturing Part Number: 11970-90031

Supersedes 11970-90030

Printed in USA

October 2003

−2003 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Notice

The information contained in this document is subje ct to change without notice. Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material,

including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connec tion with the furnishing , perfor mance, or use of this material.

Certification

Agilent T echnologi es certifies that this product met its published specif ications at the ti me of shipment from the factory. Agilent Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institute’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.

Warranty

This Agilent T echnologies instrument pr oduct is warranted agains t defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of shipm ent. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.

For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pa y all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.

Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designate d by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted or error-free.

LIMITATION OF WARRANTY

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to def ects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or maintenance.

NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES

THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AN D EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

Assistance

Product maintenance agreements and other customer assis tance agreements are availa ble for Agilent Technologies products.

For any assistance, contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office listed on page 77.

This guide uses the following conventions:

Instrument Key This represents a key physically l ocated on the ins trument, or a key with a

label that is determined by the instrument firmware.

Screen Text This indicates text displayed on the spectrum analyzer screen.

Contents

1. General Information

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mixers Covered by Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

11970 Series Harmonic Mixers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Spectrum Analyzer Retrofit Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Equipment Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Environmental Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2. Operation

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Operating Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Mixer Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Using a Conversion-Loss Data Disk with the ESA or PSA Series Analyzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Loading Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Viewing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using the Mixers with the E4407B Spectrum Analyzer (Option AYZ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Set up the equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using the Mixers with the E4440A, E4446A, or E4448A

PSA Series Spectrum Analyzer (Option AYZ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Set up the equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Using the Mixers with the 856X Series Spectrum Analyzers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Set up the equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Select the Frequency Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Save the average conversion-loss value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Signal Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Identify signals with the frequency-shift method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Identify signals in wide frequency spans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Using the Mixers with MMS Analyzers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Preliminary Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Conversion Loss Versus Frequency Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Using the Mixers with the 8566B Spectrum Analyzer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Set up the equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Amplitude Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Signal Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Table of Contents

3. Performance Tests

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Test Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Performance Test Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Conversion Loss and Frequency Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

AVERAGE NOISE LEVEL TEST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Contents

Table of Contents

Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

4. Service

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Replaceable Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Circuit Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

General Information

1 General Information

General Information

Introduction

The Agilent Models 11970K, 11970A, 11970Q, 11970U, 11970V and 11970W are general-purpose harmonic mixers with very flat frequency re sponse characteristics and low conversion loss. Collectively, they cover the frequency range of 18 to 110 GHz. The 11970K covers the 18 - 26. 5 GHz range; the 1197 0A, t he 26.5 - 40 GHz range; the 11970Q, the 33 - 50 GHz range; the 11970U, the 40 - 60 GHz range; the 11970V, the 50 - 75 GHz range; and the 11970W, the 75 - 110 GHz range.

The overall local oscillator (LO) frequency range of the 11970 Series Mixers is 3.0 to 6.1 GHz. Each of the mixers employs a different LO harmonic, and as a result has a different optimum LO range within the overall LO range of the series.

The 11970 Series Mixers use the Agilent 11975A Amplifier to raise the LO power to their required LO input level of 14 to 18 dBm. By taking advantage of the power leveling capability of the 11975A, the mixers are able to achieve maximum measurement accuracy (at optimum LO input level of 14.5 to 16 dBm).

A label on the end of each mixer shows a Conversion Loss Calibration table printed

General Information

especially for that part icular mixer. An 8-1/ 2 by 11-inch calibration table shi ppe d with th e mixer provides a larger, easi er to read, version of th e same table shown on the label, plus a graph which shows the conversion loss and reference level offset across the mixer’s frequency range. This calibration table must be employed for absolute amplitude measurements . Also supplied with each mixer are five screws (four required) for attaching the mixer RF input flange to the waveguide.

Mixers Covered by Manual

Serial Numbers

Attached to your mixer, is a label which s hows both the mixer model number and its ser ial number (two parts). The first four digits and the letter of the serial number are the serial number prefix; the last five digits are the suffix. The contents of this manual apply to mixers with the serial number prefixe s lis ted under “Serial Number Prefixes” on the title page of this manual.

8 Chapter 1

11970 Series Harmonic Mixers

Figure 1-1.

General Information

Introduction

General Information

Options

Option 009, shown in Figure 1-2. is a Mixer Connection Kit. It includes three low-loss SMA

cables (Part Number 5061-5458), one hex-head balldriver (Part Number 8710-1539) for tightening the wave guide connector screws, and one 5/16-inch open-end wrench (Part Number 8710-0510) for use on the SMA connectors.

Spectrum Analyzer Retrofit Requirements

• The 11970 Series Mixers are fully compatible with all 8566B Spectrum Analyzers.

• 856x Series portable spectrum analyzers with options 002 (tracking generator ) and 327

(no IF IN on front panel) do not have external mixing capability.

• 856x Series Portable Spectrum Analyzers require option 008, or FW date code for signal id e n ti fication functional i ty.

• Agilent E4407B spectrum analyzers require option AYZ (LO Out and IF IN connections).

• MMS analyzers using 11970 series mixers must have a front end model 70907A, 70907B, 7090 9A, or 70910A, a s well as a 70900A/B with f irmw ar e new eno ugh for tho se modules:

Model FW Date Code:

(or newer)

≤ 920528,

70907A 70907B 70909A 70910A

860203

900314

910802

Chapter 1 9

General Information

Introduction

• PSA Series E4440A, E4446A, and E4448A spectrum analyzers require Option AYZ (LO OUT and IF IN connectors). The E4443A and E4445A do not support external mixing.

Figure 1-2. Mixer Connection Kit, Option 009

General Information

10 Chapter 1

General Information

Specifications

Specifications for the 11970 Serie s Mixers are listed in Table 1-1. These are the performance standards against which the mixers are tested (p erformance tests are provided in

3 ,“Performance Tests,”

). Typical or nominal operating values are listed in Table 1-2.

NOTE Supplemental characteristics are included only as additional information;

they are not specifications.

Chapter

Equipment Supplied

Waveguide Connector Screws

Five hex-head screws are supplied with each mixer. Four are required to make the mixer-to-waveguide connection, one is a spare. Use ONLY the screws supplied t o attach the mixe r to the waveguid e. Because of slight diffe rences in t he way the mixer s couple with the waveguide, the square-fl ange mixers (1 1970K and 11970A) and the round-flange mixer (1970Q, 11970U, 11970V and 11970W) require different screws.

If your mixer has a square waveguide flange, use four hex-head screws with Part Number 3030-0221. If it has a round waveguid e flange, use four hex-head captive screws with Part Number 1390-0671. The special balldrive r hex scr ewdriver available in the Option 009 Mixer Connector Kit simplifies installation of the waveguide connector screws.

NOTE See Chapter 4 ,“Service,” for a list of replacement parts.

Environmental Limitations

The 11970 Series Mixers meet or exceed the environmental requirements of MIL-T-28800C, Type III, Class 3, Style C. Specific environmental qualifications for the mixers are as follows:

Temperature, Non-operating: -40

C to 75oC

General Information

Temperature, Operating: 0 Relative Humidity: 95 ±5% (up to 30

C to 55oC

C) Altitude, Non-operating: Less than 12,195 meters (40,000 ft.) Altitude, Operating: Less than 3,048 meters (10,000 ft.) Maximum Vibration Levels: 2 G’s at 5 to 2000 Hz Maximum Shock: 30 G’s

Chapter 1 11

General Information

Specifications

Table 1-1 11970 Series Specifications

NOTE Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply for an IF of 321.4 MHz and for RF input amplitudes of less than -20 dBm.

GENERAL

LO Amplitude Range: 14 to 18 dBm Calibration Accuracy: Maximum CW RF Input Level:

11970K/A/Q/U:

± 2.0 dB with LO amplitude r ange of 14.5 to 16 dBm 11970V/W:

± 2.2 dB with LO amplitude r ange of 14.5 to 16 dBm 11970K/A/Q/U:

± 3.0 dB with LO amplitude r ange of 16 to 18 dBm

General Information

11970V/W: ± 3.2 dB with LO amplitude range of 16 to 18 dBm

Bias Requirements: None

20 dBm (l00mW)

Maximum Peak Pulse Power:

24 dBm with < 1µsec pulse

Environmental:

Meets MIL-T-28800C, Type III, Class 3, Style C

IF/LO Connectors:

SMA female

(avg. power: + 20 dBm)

12 Chapter 1

General Information

Specifications

Table 1-1 11970 Series Specifications

NOTE Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply for an IF of 321.4 MHz and for RF input amplitudes of less than -20 dBm.

MODEL 11970K MODEL 11970A

RF Frequency Range:

18 - 26.5 GHz

LO Harmonic Number: 6 LO Harmonic Number: 8

LO Input Frequency Range:

2.95 - 4.36 GHz

Maximum Conversion Loss: 24 dB 8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and

14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power:

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: ±1.9 dB

Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm LO Input Power: ±2.8 dB

RF Frequency Range:

33 - 50 GHz LO Harmonic Number: 10

-105 dBm

MODEL 11970Q

RF Frequency Range:

26.5 - 40 GHz

LO Input Frequency Range:

3.27 - 4.96 GHz

Maximum Conversion Loss: 26 dB 8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and

14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: -102 dBm

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: ±1.9 dB

Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm LO Input Power: ±2.8 dB

MODEL 11970U

RF Frequency Range:

40 - 60 GHz

LO Harmonic Number: 10

General Information

LO Input Frequency Range:

3.27 - 4.97 GHz

Maximum Conversion Loss: 28 dB Maximum Conversion Loss: 28 dB 8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and

14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: -101 dBm

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: ±1.9 dB

Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm LO Input Power: ±2.8 dB

LO Input Frequency Range:

3.97 - 5.97 GHz

8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and

14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: -101 dBm

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: ±1.9 dB

Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm LO Input Power: ±2.8 dB

Chapter 1 13

General Information

Specifications

Table 1-1 11970 Series Specifications

NOTE Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply for an IF of 321.4 MHz and for RF input amplitudes of less than -20 dBm.

MODEL 11970V

RF Frequency Range:

50 - 75 GHz

LO Harmonic Number: 14 LO Harmonic Number: 18 LO Input Frequency Range:

3.55 - 5.33 GHz

Maximum Conversion Loss: 40 dB 8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and

14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: -92 dBm

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm

General Information

LO Input Power: ±2.1 dB Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm

LO Input Power: ±2.8 dB

RF Frequency Range:

75 - 110 GHz

LO Input Frequency Range:

4.15 - 6.09 GHz

Maximum Conversion Loss: 46 dB

8566B Noise Level at 1 kHz Bandwidth, and LO Input Power: - 85 dBm

Frequency Response at 14.5 to 16 dBm LO Input Power: ±3.0 dB

Frequency Response at 14 to 18 dBm LO Input Power: ±4.0 dB

MODEL 11970W

1. The 11975A Amplifier, or a similar amplifier, can be used to provide sufficient LO power (14 to

18 dBm) to the mixers. Leveled power capability of 16 dBm, as is available with the 11975A, is necessary to achieve the maximum amplitude accuracy with the mixers. Assuming the 1 meter cables supplied with the instrum ent are used , only the 85 66B LO ou tput requ ires ampl ificati on. Howe ver,

if longer or lower quality cables are used LO amplification may be necessary.

2. Typically ± 2.5 dB with LO supplied by 8566B Spectrum Analyzer, 11975A Amplifier set to

16 dBm, and P/N 5061-5458 SMA cables.

14 Chapter 1

General Information

Specifications

Table 1-2 11970 Supplemental Characteristics

NOTE Supplemental characteristics are included only as additional information; they are not specifications.

3 dB IF Bandwidth: DC to 1.3 GHz Odd Order Mixing Product Suppression:

11970K/A/Q/U: >20 dB 11970V/W: >15 dB

Spectrum Analyzer Absolute Amplitude Accuracy (using calibration data with a 14.5 to 16 dBm LO):

11970K, 18 - 26.5 GHz: ±3.2 dB 11970A, 26.5 - 40 GHz: ±3.2 dB 11970Q, 33 - 50 GHz: ±3.2 dB 11970U, 40 - 60 GHz: ±3.2 dB 11970V, 50 - 75 GHz: ±3.4 dB 11970W: 75 - 110 GHz: ±3.4 dB

RF Input SWR:

11970K/A/Q/U: <2.2:1 11970V/W: <2.6:1

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model

11970K

Flange

UG-595/U WR-42

11970A UG-599/U

WR-28

11970Q

UG-383/U WR-22

Weight X Y

0.17 kg

0.36 lb

0.14 kg

0.32 lb

0.14 kg

0.32 lb

36 mm

1.4 in

36 mm

1.4 in

36 mm

1.4 in

Gain Compression Level (<1 dB):

11970K: -3 dBm 11970A: -5 dBm 11970Q: -7 dBm 11970U: -7 dBm 11970V: -3 dBm 11970W: -1 dBm

5061-5458 Cable Insertion Loss:

.8 dB at 2 GHz

1.1 dB at 6 GHz

51 mm

2.0 in

51 mm

2.0 in

51 mm

2.0 in

90 mm

3.5 in

71 mm

2.8 in

76 mm

3.0 in

General Information

11970U

11970V UG-385/U

11970W

UG-383/U-M WR-19

WR-15

UG-387/U-M WR-10

0.14 kg

0.32 lb

0.14 kg

0.32 lb

0.14 kg

0.32 lb

36 mm

1.4 in

36 mm

1.4 in

36 mm

1.4 in

51 mm

2.0 in

51 mm

2.0 in

51 mm

2.0 in

1. Waveguide attachment screws enter blind holes in the flanges of the mixers.

Chapter 1 15

76 mm

3.0 in

76 mm

3.0 in

76 mm

3.0 in

General Information

Specifications

General Information

16 Chapter 1

2 Operation

Operation

Introduction

This section provides information on how to make effective use of the 11970 mixers.

Operating Precautions

Refer to the sections below for specific pa r ameters to follow prior to m i xer operation.

WARNING Do not exceed the maximum ratings listed below or permanent

damage to the mixer will result.

RF Input Power

Use the following parameters:

CW: No greater than 20 dBm Pulse: No greater than 24 dBm at < 1 mSec Average: No great e r th a n 20 dBm

LO Input Power

Make sure the LO input power is no greater than 20 dBm.

Electrostatic Discharge

When installing the mixer, you must always connect the SMA cables to the spectrum analyzer and LO amplifier BEFORE connecting them to the mixer. This will minimize the danger of an electrostatic discharge damaging the mixer diodes.

Operation

11975A ALC Switch

BEFORE using the 11975A Amplifier to increase the LO input power, set the amplifier ALC switch to the ON position. When this switch is in the OFF position the LO power can be greater than 20 dBm. This level of LO power can destroy the mixer diodes. The ALC switch is on the amplifier rear panel.

Waveguide Protective Foam

Do not remove, displace, or damage the white, nonconductive foam installed in the ope n end of the waveguide. Since the mixer is amplitude calibrated with this foam in place, tampering with it affects the calibration.

18 Chapter 2

Operation

Getting Started

The 11970 series of millimeter wave mixers ha ve no bias or back-s hort adjustment s. 11970 Mixers require an LO power of 14 to 18 dBm at the LO input. If the spectrum analyzer used with the 11970 does not have sufficient LO power, an 11975A Amplifier or an equivalent is required to increase this power.

CAUTION Before connecting the 11975A Amplifi er, set its rear panel ALC switch to ON.

Failure to do this can damage the mixer.

Mixer Connections

With the three SMA cables (Part Number 5061-5458, each) provided in the Option 009 Mixer Connection Kit, connect the 11970 Mixer, the spectrum analyzer, and the 11975A Amplifier. An example connection for an 8566B Spectrum Analyzer is shown in Figure 2-1.

NOTE The example below shows an 8566B analyzer, other spectrum analyzers do

not require the amplifier and third SMA cable.

Figure 2-1. 11970 Mixer Connections

Leave the waveguide flange cap on whenever the mixer is not connected to a device under test. This protects the flange mating s urface from scrat ches , which can degrade th e mixer’s performance. Use an appropriate waveguide attenuator if the output power of the unit under test exceeds the RF Input Power indicated in the specifications.

Operation

Chapter 2 19

Operation

Getting Started

If you are using an 11970Q, 11970U, 11970V or 11970W Mixer, and the shoulder of its waveguide flange is not properl y a ligned with th e flan ge of t he de vi ce unde r t est, amplit ude measure ment err ors ca n result. To ensure proper alignment, tighten each of the four flange screws in turn by small amounts, moving clockwise around the flange.

NOTE 11970K and 11970A Mixers require flange screws that are different from

those used with the 11970Q, 11970U, 11970V and 11970W; 11970K and 11970A use Part Number 3030-0221 (#4-40 hex head screw). 11970Q, 11970U, 11970V and 11970W use Part Number 1390-0671 (#4-40 hex head captive sc re w ) .

Operation

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Operation

Using a Conversion-Loss Data Disk with the ESA or PSA Series Analyzers

The conversion-loss data for your mixer can be quickly lo aded in the memory of an ESA or PSA series analyzer from a floppy disk. The following process works with the floppy disk provided by the factory with your new mixer, or with one that you have st ored the correction data. This process eliminates the time consuming and sometimes error-prone process of manually entering the data from a table.

Loading Data

1. Insert the conversion-loss data disk (fr om th e factory or your own) into the floppy drive

of the analyzer.

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

5. Use the down arrow to select the file. The factory supplied disk has a file with the OTH

extension which places the data in the corrections set “other” location.

6. Press

analyzer.

File, then Load. Type, More, then select Corrections. Directory Select, highlight drive -A-, then press Directory Select again.

Load Now to load the conversion loss values into the correction table of the

Viewing Data

1. Press Amplitude, More, Corrections, Other (ON) and Edit to view the correction values.

2. Use the front-panel knob or up/down arrows to scroll through the lis t of correction

values.

Operation

Chapter 2 21

Operation

Using the Mixers with the E4407B Spectrum Analyzer (Option AYZ)

The Agilent Technologies E4407B spectrum analyzer contains an extensive menu of functions that help with millimeter measure ments . The foll owing examples explain how to connect external mixers to the spectrum analyzer, how to choose the ba nd of interest, how to store and activate conversion-loss factors, and how to use the signal-identification functions.

Set up the equipment

1. Connect the signal source and harmonic mixer to the analyzer, as shown in Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2 Harmonic Mixer Setup

Operation

NOTE Agilent 5061-5458 SMA type cables should be used to connect the mixer IF

and LO ports to th e an a l y z e r. Do not over-tighten the ca b l es. The ma x i m u m torque should not exceed 112 N-cm (10 in-lb.)

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Using the Mixers with the E4407B Spectrum Analyzer (Option AYZ)

2. On the analyzer, press Preset, Factory Preset, if present.

Operation

3. Select external mixing by pressing

4. The analyzer frequency band will be set to

Ext Mix Band , then press the desired band frequency range/letter key. For this

press

Input/Output, Input Mixer, Input Mixer (Ext).

26.5 - 40 GHz (A). To choose a different band,

example, we will use band A, which ranges from 36.5 GHz to 40 GHz.

Amplitude Calibration

The conversion loss versus frequency data can be entered on your analyzer from one of three sources.

• From a Conversion Loss Data Disk, supplied with your mixer . See “Using a

Conversion-Loss Data Disk with the ESA or PSA Series Analyzers” on page 21 .

• Data from the calibration sheet supplied with your mixer.

• From conversion-loss data located on the mixer bo dy label.

Manually Enter i ng Co n v er sio n -L os s D ata

1.The analyzer frequency band will be set to

Ext Mix Band and then press the desired band frequency range/letter key. For this

press

26.5 – 40 GHz (A). To choose a different band,

example, we will use band A, which ranges from 26.5 GHz to 40 GHz.

NOTE To correct for the conversion-loss of the harm onic mixer in use, the analyzer

amplitude correction feature is used .

2. Press

external mixing. The recommended set to use is

AMPLITUDE Y Scale, More , Corrections. Select a correction set for use with

Other although any available set could

be used.

3. Press

Edit to enter the appropriate conversion loss data for the mixer in use. These

values are listed on the mixer, or a calibration sheet that is supplied with the mixer.

NOTE More correction points entered across the band in use will improve frequency

response accuracy. Up to 200 points may be defined for each set.

4. Once the desired correction points are entered, press

correction set

Other. This will also turn corrections on resulting in a calibrated display.

Return, Correction (On) to activate

It is recommended that the correction set entered be saved on the internal memory or the floppy dr ive for futur e reference. See th e ES A User’s and Programmer’s Reference guide for information on saving correction values.

Operation

Chapter 2 23

Operation

Using the Mixers with the E4407B Spectrum Analyzer (Option AYZ)

Signal Identification

The IF output of a harmonic mixer will contain a signal at the intermediate frequency of the analyzer whenever the harmonic frequency of the LO and the frequency of the RF differ by the intermediate frequency.

As a result, within a single harmonic band, a single input signal can produce multiple responses on the analyzer display, only one of which is valid (see Figure 2-3.). These responses come in pairs, where members of the valid response pair are separated by 642.8 MHz and either the right-most (for negative harmonics) or left-most (for positive harmonics) member of the pair is the correct response.

Figure 2-3.

Operation

Identification of valid responses is achieved by simply turning on the signal-identification feature. (instrument preset selects the Image Suppress signal identification mode.) Press

Mixer

, Signal Ident (On) and note that now only the valid response (35 GHz) remains.

Press

Peak Search to place a marker on the remaining response. The signal-identification routine

Input/Output, Input

can introduce slight amplitude errors which is indicated by the message Signal Ident On, Amptd Uncal. Refer to Figure 2-4..

After identifying a signal of interest, press

Signal Ident (Off) before making final amplitude

measurements. Note that Image Suppress should only be used to identify the fundamental signal and not for accurate amplitude measurements.

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