Atec Aeroflex-IFR-3416 User Manual
The IFR 3410 series are portable, lightweight signal generators covering a wide range of carrier frequencies to 6 GHz. High quality analog and vector modulation capabilities make these signal generators
ideal for research, development and manufacturing applications.
Careful attention to the design of the modulators and the RF system
ensures that these signal generators exhibit low levels of adjacent
channel power, making them suitable for the most demanding
amplifier linearity and receiver selectivity measurements.
The use of Aeroflex fractional N synthesis techniques, combined
with fast level control and an electronic attenuator, ensures the 3410
series signal generators are both frequency and level agile for high
speed ATE testing.
A flexible but intuitive user interface based on a touch panel display
system ensures that the signal generator meets the needs of
unskilled as well as skilled operators. The instrument can be configured to the required mode of operation very simply, with numerical data being entered by the keyboard or via a rotary control. T he
display shows the primary parameters in a clear and unambiguous
format, minimizing the risk of operator error.
The 3410 series signal generators provide peak output power of up
to +16 dBm. With a level resolution of 0.01 dB, repeatable and accurate testing of wireless components can be performed.
The electronic attenuator is ideal for high volume applications where
attenuator life is critical. A user defined RF level limit can be entered
to ensure that the signal generator cannot provide damaging signal
levels when testing less robust components. Careful attention to the
level control system guarantees that positive level transients cannot be
generated. The fast responding electronic reverse power protection
system helps ensure long life and high reliability when testing high
power systems.
Receiver measurements require good spectral purity from a signal
generator. The 3410 series has excellent performance with typically
1.5 Hz residual FM at 1 GHz and a floor noise of typically better than
-148 dBc / Hz.
Fast frequency and RF level setting times are key parameters in
achieving minimum test execution times and therefore maximum
throughput, in production environments. The 3410 series with typical frequency setting times of 2 ms and level setting times of 2.5 ms
provide outstanding performance.
In addition to comprehensive sweep functions for carrier frequency,
RF level and modulation oscillator 3410 series provides an extremely
fast optional sweep mode for frequency and level settings through the
use of user stored lists. Option 010, List Mode has a setting time of
less than 500 µs and is ideal for frequency hopping and semi-conductor production applications.
Comprehensive modulation facilities are provided for supporting the
testing of analog or digital RF systems. A single key press turns the
modulation on and off, providing a fast method for signal to noise
checking.
be quickly optimized to reduce vector errors and ensure low carrier
leak at all operating frequencies.
The linearity of the modulator and the RF output system is reflected
in the excellent adjacent channel power when generating multi-carrier non-constant envelope signals such as cellular CDMA and
TETRA.
With typical AM bandwidth to 30 MHz and typical FM bandwidth to
20 MHz, the 3410 series signal generators are ideal tools for testing
broadcast systems. The wide bandwidths allow video signals to modulate the carrier with minimal distortion.
The wideband FM facilities allow the generation of fast-swept signals, while the use of a patented DC FM system ensures that carrier
frequency errors when the FM is DC coupled are minimal.
The specifications for AM are maintained to high carrier frequencies
to support the use in modern EMC testing applications. The signal
generator maintains excellent phase noise performance even when
generating wideband modulated signals.
The built-in IQ modulator provides state-of-the-art vector modulated signals with excellent level linearity, low vector error and low noise.
With a typical vector bandwidth up to 55 MHz, the modulator is able
to support wideband as well as narrow-band wireless standards.
Internal calibration systems ensure the modulator performance can
An internal modulation oscillator is provided which can be used to
generate two tones in the frequency range 0.1 Hz to 50 kHz (16 MHz
with Option 005 ARB Waveform Generator). In addition to sine
waves, the modulation oscillator can provide square waves, triangular
and sawtooth waveforms for narrow band sweeping.
The user has a choice of either a Dual Arbitrary Waveform Generator
or a Real Time Baseband Generator for producing digitally modulated output signals.
Fitted internally, the optional Dual Channel Arbitrary Waveform
Generator allows the user to select from a library of pre-stored IQ
modulator drive waveforms to provide accurately modulated carriers
simulating the characteristics of digitally modulated communication
systems. Burst modulation and alternate level rf attenuation facilities
are provided for TDMA signal simulation. Marker output signals can
be placed within the waveform to simplify triggering and synchronization with external test equipment. Using a patented technique,
the dual channel ARB is able to take waveform files typically four
times oversampled and run them through a real time interpolation
system to raise the sampling rate of the file. This ensures the generation of low adjacent channel power and low spectral noise density.
The dual channel ARB is suited for the generation of both narrow
band and wideband signals, including WCDMA signals, without the
use of switched reconstruction filters. Combining a large ARB memory with the smaller file size required to define a waveform allows the
ARB to store up to 180 waveforms. Alternatively the whole of the
memory can be devoted to a single file. One such file would store over
1.5 seconds of a 3GPP WCDMA waveform signal. The use of interpolation techniques ensures that when narrow band systems are simulated the waveform generator can still operate at a high sample rate
without requiring excessively large amounts of data to be loaded or
restricting the repetition time. The library waveforms are structured
in a directory form to ease their selection and the optimization of the
user's generator. The modulation waveforms can be simply changed
by selection from a file list with the changeover between waveforms
occurring in a few milliseconds rather than the many seconds
required in more traditional waveform generators. The file name can
be determined by the user to convey a useful description of the contents of the file.
is a Windows based software utility that enables a user to
set up a modulation scheme and then create an ARB file using modulation templates. The resulting file may be saved on a PC or downloaded into the ARB. User-defined configurations can also be saved.
Consequently, it is possible to load previously saved setups to regenerate the ARB files quickly and easily. The capabilities of
include:-
Generic Modulation Types
PSK, FSK, MSK, QAM modulation types
Nyquist, Root Nyquist and Gaussian filters
PRBS, fixed pattern and user defined data sources
IQ errors - residual carrier, IQ imbalance, quadrature offset
Multi-carrier
Also included are 2G, 2.5G and 3G cellular TDMA and CDMA digital standards along with WLAN and other cordless phone standards.
In addition, includes a utility that allows user-defined
waveforms, created using software simulation tools such as
MATLAB, to be converted and packaged into a form that can be
downloaded into the 3410 Series ARB.
Fitted internally, the optional Real Time Baseband, RTBB, generates
baseband signals (I and Q) that modulate an RF source in real time
to produce generic FSK, PSK and QAM signals at rates up to
2 Msymbols/sec. The RTBB generates or inputs a set of modulation
symbols, modulates them with the chosen scheme, filters them using
an appropriate channel filter, and then converts the digital stream to
analogue I and Q for the I/Q vector modulator. T he source of the
symbol data is very flexible. The symbol data can originate from a
variety of internal or external sources. Internal data source choices
include a PRBS generator, an internal pattern generator or internal
memory storage of user downloaded symbols. External real-time
symbol data can be input in serial or parallel format via an industry
standard Low Voltage Differential Signalling (LVDS) interface.
Digitized I/Q data, available from sources such as basestation simulators, can be input via the LVDS interface as an alternative to external parallel or serial symbol data. Streaming digitized I/Q data samples are available as an output via the LVDS interface from internally
generated symbols for testing D/A convertors.
Synchronized clock, RF Burst, RF Burst Attenuation control and
marker output signal facilities are available for both internal and
external data generation.
An important feature necessary to support GSM signal generation is
the ability to frequency hop between channels. The RTBB option
provides frequency hopping by re-mixing the I and Q data at baseband. The resultant I and Q vectors then modulate the core synthesizer frequency thus producing a new RF frequency at the output of
the signal generator. This method ensures that synchronization is
maintained between the IQ data and the hop trigger. In addition,
because the main synthesizer hardware remains unchanged, frequency stabilization is nearly instantaneous.
The 3410 series is supplied with a free copy of
, a software
package to aid the creation and download of files to the ARB and
RTBB options.
is continually updated to include new modulation capabilities and facilities. The latest version is available for download at
www.aeroflex.com.
Options to have an instrument's ARB pre-loaded with a suite of example waveform files are available. A selection of waveforms from each
of the standards, or just waveforms relevant to the user's applications,
can be chosen. Although only available at the time of order, all the
waveforms are available within IQCreator should any of the files be
deleted then required in the future.
Single ended baseband I/Q outputs are available as standard.
Differential I/Q outputs, combined with comprehensive voltage bias
and offset facilities, are optionally available to simplify component and
module testing.
An optional pulse modulator allows the generation of fast rise time RF
signals with on/off ratios that meet the most demanding radar and
ECM/ECCM test applications.
The 3410 series include both fast GPIB and Ethernet remote control
interfaces for flexibility in production environments. RS-232 control
is also provided for use in legacy ATE systems.
The protocol and syntax of the GPIB commands have been designed
in accordance with IEEE 488.2 to simplify program generation. Plug
and play drivers are available that include a virtual front panel for
remote instrument supervision and debug.
The 3410 series includes a high stability OCXO as standard. The
inclusion of a main input power standby mode maintains the oscillator at working temperature while the rest of the instrument is powered down. Time to full specification working is thereby minimized
for equipment facilities held on standby.
The 2U rack height ensures the 3410 series occupies minimal space
in a manufacturing rack or on the engineer's bench, allowing the provision of more compact test systems. The full rack width ensures
easy stacking of instruments while the light weight allows for easy
carrying in the laboratory or the field.
Range
250 kHz - 2 GHz (3412)
250 kHz - 3 GHz (3413)
250 kHz - 4 GHz (3414)
250 kHz - 6 GHz (3416)
Resolution
1 Hz, accuracy as frequency standard
The carrier output phase can be advanced or retarded in increments of
0.036°.
FREQUENCY SETTING TIME (NON-LIST MODE)
After receipt of the GPIB interface deliminator (terminator), 23°C ± 5°C
Phase Noise Mode Optimized > 10 kHz
< 5.5 ms, typically 4 ms, 375 MHz, to be within 200 Hz
Phase Noise Mode Optimized < 10 kHz
< 3 ms, typically 2.5 ms, 375 MHz, to be within 200 Hz
< 2.5 ms, typically 2 ms, >375 MHz, to be within 0.1 ppm
FREQUENCY SETTING TIME (OPTION 010 LIST MODE)
After external trigger in List Mode, 23°C ± 5°C
Phase Noise Mode Optimized > 10 kHz
< 4 ms, typically 3 ms, 375 MHz, to be within 200 Hz
Phase Noise Mode Optimized < 10 kHz
<600
s, typically 500 s,375 MHz, to be within < 200 Hz
<500
s, typically 450 s, > 375 MHz, to be within 0.1 ppm
> 375 MHz, to be within 0.1 ppm
> 375 MHz, to be within 0.1 ppm
When IQmodulation is selected maximum output is reduced by 6 dB
below 100 MHz.
Resolution
0.01 dB
RF Level Units
Units can be set to µV, mV, V EMF or PD; dB relative 1 µV, 1 mV, 1 V
EMF or PD; or dBm. Conversion between dB and linear units may be
achieved by pressing the appropriate units key (dB or V, mV or µV).
RF Output Accuracy (@ 23°C ± 5°C)
Electronic Attenuator
RFMode -127 to -30 dBm > -30 dBm
Auto
Mechanical Attenuator
RFMode -127 to -28 dBm > -28 dBm
Auto
No Attenuator
RFMode > 0 dBm
Auto
Level Accuracy With IQ Modulation
For constant envelope modulation systems: typical standard level error
± 0.15 dB
For non-constant envelope modulation systems: typical standard level
error ± 0.25 dB
Temperature Stability
± 0.01 dB/°C, 3 GHz
± 0.02 dB/°C, 4 GHz, ± 0.02 dB/°C typical, 6 GHz
RF Flatness
2 GHz ± 0.75 dB ± 0.50 dB
3 GHz ± 1.00 dB ± 0.75 dB
-110 to -30 dBm > -30 dBm
6 GHz ± 1.25 dB ± 1.00 dB
2 GHz ± 0.75 dB ± 0.50 dB
3 GHz ± 1.00 dB ± 0.75 dB
2 GHz ± 0.50 dB
3 GHz ± 0.75 dB
6 GHz ± 1.00 dB
The RF output is controlled by an ALC system in normal operation.
When IQ modulation is enabled alternative control modes are available
to optimize the performance of the signal generator.
Range
Electronic Attenuator
10 MHz -140 to + 13 dBm
2 GHz -140 to + 16 dBm
3 GHz -140 to + 16 dBm
3.75 GHz -140 to + 13 dBm
4 GHz -140 to + 10 dBm
6 GHz -140 to + 8 dBm
Mechanical Attenuator
10 MHz -140 to + 16 dBm
2 GHz -140 to + 19 dBm
3 GHz -140 to + 16 dBm
No Attenuator
10 MHz 0 to + 21 dBm
3 GHz 0 to + 22 dBm
3.75 GHz 0 to + 20 dBm
4 GHz 0 to + 17 dBm
6 GHz 0 to + 18 dBm
When AM is selected the maximum RF output is linearly reduced by up
to 6 dB depending on the requested AM depth.
LEVEL SETTING TIME
Electronic attenuator, Option 003 is assumed in all cases.
0.3 dB
Level Setting Time (Non-List Mode)
After receipt of the GPIB interface deliminator (terminator), 23°C ± 5°C
< 4.5 ms, typically 2.5 ms
Level Setting Time (Option 010 List Mode)
After external trigger in List Mode, 23°C ± 5°C
< 3 ms, typically 1.5 ms
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