Boonton 4210 Instruction Manual

ELECTRONICS

CORPORATION

P/N

98100902

791

ROUTE

10,

RANDOLPH,

NJ

07859

TELEPHONE:

201

—

584-1077

TWX:

710-986-821

5

'***

'

Printed in U.S A.

8/8 5

IV

SECTION

I

INTRODUCTION

Section

I

Introduction

1-1.

SCOPE OF

MANUAL.

1

-

2

.

This

instruction manual

provides descriptive

data,

operating instructions, theory

of

operation,

maintenance

instructions,

and a

parts

list

for

the

Model 4210 R.

F.

Micro

wattmeter. (See Figure 1-1.)

SAFETY NOTICE

Although this

instrument has

been

designed

in

accordance

with

international

safety

standards,

general safety precau-

tions must

be

observed

during all phases

of

operation and

maintenance

of

the instrument. Failure to

comply

with

the

precautions

listed in the Safety Summary

located

in the

front of this

manual

could

result in serious injury

or

death.

Service

and

adjustment

should

be

performed only

by

qualified service

personnel.

1-3. PURPOSE

OF

EQUIPMENT.

1

-

4

.

The

instrument

is

a

microprocessor-controlled,

solid-

state

unit

that

features

ease

of

operation, high

sensitivity,

low

input s.w.r., and low

noise.

It measures

r.f. power

levels

from

1

nW (-60 dBm)

to 100

mW

(+20

dBm). The

cali-

brated

frequency range

extends from

0.2

MHz to

18

GHz,

depending

upon

the

accessory

sensor used; useful

response

for

relative measurements

is

obtained

from

20 kHz

to

approximately 20

GHz.

Representative

uses of the

instru-

ment

include:

a.

Low-power

transmitter, signal generator, and oscilla-

tor

measurements

b.

S.W.R. and return-loss measurements

with direc-

tional

couplers

and

slotted

lines

c.

Gain

and insertion-loss measurements

d.

R.F.

attenuation

and

s.w.r.

measurements

e.

Antenna

measurements

1-5.

DESCRIPTION

OF

EQUIPMENT.

1

-

6

.

The instrument is

packaged

as

a

compact

bench

unit.

When

operated with Boonton Series

4210-4/

5 sensors,

the

instrument

displays r.f.

power

by

measuring the voltage

across

a precision,

non-inductive resistor

in the

sensor

head

with

specially selected diodes. Panel

indications

are

cali-

brated

in

terms

of power according

to the

relationship

P

=

E

2

/R. This

detection

system

has important performance

advantages

over

power

meters that use

bolometer

or

thermo-electric

detection. The instrument

sensitivity

of

1

nanowatt

(-60

dBm) is

orders

of

magnitude better;

temper-

ature

stability of

better than

0.001

dB/°C supports

this

sensitivity;

and

burnout levels exceed

300

milliwatts.

average power

for all

types of

waveforms. Above

these

levels,

the instrument displays,

by

means

of

internal

shap-

ing,

the

true

average

power of

c.w.

signals.

If

the

r.f.signal

is

gated or

amplitude

modulated, the indicated

power

may

not

be the

true

average

power.

The signal

may be

attenu-

ated

to bring it

within the r.m.s. region of

measurement.

Alternatively,

the

instrument

can be

used with thermal

sensors

Model 4210-7E/8E;

in this case,

the

instrument

mea-

sures and

displays

the true

average

power for

all

waveforms.

1-8

The

outstanding

design

features

are:

a.

Wide

Frequency

Range. The

calibrated

frequency

range

of the

instrument

is

determined

by

the

sensor used

with the instrument.

The

instrument

is normally

ordered

with

one

of the

following

sensors: / ,

FREQUENCY RANGE”"

60

/

+

to

dDnn

Model

(Impedance) Power

Range

42

10-4

A

4210-4B

42

1

CMC

4210-4E

42

1

0-5

B

4210-5E

4210-7E

421

0-8

E

200 kHz

to

7

GHz

(50

ohms)

200

kHz

to 12.4

GHz

(50

ohms)

200 kHz

to

I GHz

(75

ohms)

200

kHz

to 18 GHz

(50

ohms)

200

kHz to

12.4 GHz

(50

ohms)

200 kHz

to 18

GHz

(50

ohms)

10

MHz

to 18 GHz

(50

ohms)

10

MHz to

18

GHz

(50

ohms)

1

nW

to

10

mW

1 nW

to

10

mW

1 nW

to 10 mW

1

nW

to

10

mW

10nWto 100

mW

10

nW

to 100 mW

1

jaW

to

10

mW

IOjuW

to

100

mW

b. Wide

Power Range.

Depending

on

the selected

sen-

sor,

the

instrument

will measure

r.f. power from 1

nW

up

to

100

mW.

Temporary

overloads

up to

300

mW

with

Series

42104

sensors,

and up

to

2 W with

Series

4210-5

sensors,

will

do

no permanent harm

to

the

instrument

or the

sensor.

When

measuring

pulsed signals,

the power

indications

are

accurate

up to

20 microwatts peak

power

(up to

200

mi-

crowatts

with Series

4210-5

sensors).

External

attenuators

may

be

used to extend

the

measurement range

of

the

instrument.

c.

Low Noise. The

instrument has been designed

and

constructed to

minimize

noise from

all

sources.

The

sensor

cable

is

of

a

special low-noise

design; vigorous

flexing

causes

only

momentary

minor excursions

of

the display

on

the

most

sensitive

range

of the

instrument. The

sensors

are

insensitive to

shock and

vibration; even

sharp

tapping

on

the

sensor

barrel causes

no visible

excursions on any

range.

Internal signal

amplification

occurs at

approximately

94

Hz,

thereby reducing

susceptibility

to

50-

or 60-Hzfields.

A

low-noise solid-state

chopper

is

used.

1

-

7.

Diode

sensors are

r.m.s. -responding

for

low-power

levels

(below

20

microwatts

for Series 42104 sensors and

200

microwatts

for Series

4210-5

sensors). At these low-

power

levels, the

instrument measures and displays true

d.

LED

Display.

Measured power levels are

displayed

by

a

4-digit,

LED-type

readout with decimal

points

and

minus sign.

Annunciators associated

with the

LED

display

indicate

the

units

of measurement.

The result is

a clear,

1-1

Section

I

Introduction

unambiguous

readout that

minimizes the

possibility of

misinterpretation.

e.

Analog

Indications. A

front-panel

analog meter

pro-

vides

relative power

indications for

peaking or nulling

applications.

The

display

is proportional

to

power on

each

range

(PWR

mode) or

to

dB

over the

entire range (dB

mode).

f.

Pushbutton

Measurement-Mode Selection.

A

choice

of

measurement

modes is

available

to

the operator. Indica-

tions

in

terms of

power or of

dBm can be selected

by

pressing

the

appropriate

front-panel

key

switch.

A dB ref-

erence

level

equal

to

the

last

displayed dBm value can be

entered

through the

keyboard

REF switch,

and

a display

mode

can

be

selected to

indicate

power levels in dBr relative

to

that

dB reference level.

g.

Automatic

Ranging.

Autoranging under control of

the

microprocessor

eliminates the

need for

manual

ranging.

Applications of

power

levels that exceed

the

maximum

capability

of the

instrument

result in an

error indication on

the

LED

display.

h.

Automatic

Zeroing.

An

automatic

zeroing

circuit

eliminates

the

need

for tedious,

often

inaccurate,

manual

zeroing.

With

zero input

to

the

sensor,

pressing

a front-

panel

ZERO key

switch

directs

the microprocessor to

compute

and

store

zero

corrections

for each

range, and the

instrument is

thereafter

corrected

on each range

in

accor-

dance

with

the

stored data.

This

method

is

considerably

simpler,

faster,

and

more

accurate

than

manual

zeroing.

i. Sensor

Compensation.

Calibration factors in

dB

are

selected

by

a

front-panel

rotary

control calibrated in

0. 1 dB

stepsfrom

1 . 10 to -1

.10

dB. The

sensoritself

is

marked with

the

appropriate

calibration factors

as a function of

frequency.

j.

Solid-state Chopper. Signal

amplification in

the in-

strument

occurs at approximately

94

Hz.

Input

signals

from the sensor

are

converted into a

94-Hz signal by a

solid-state, low-level input modulator

(chopper),

which

rep-

resents a distinct improvement over

electromechanical

choppers. Extended service

life

is

assured through

the

elim-

ination

of

contact wear, contamination, and

other

prob-

lems associated with electromechanical

choppers.

k.

Signature-Analysis

Maintenance.

Connection

facili-

ties

to

permit

signature-analysis maintenance

are incorpo-

rated. Digital

circuit

troubles

can

be localized rapidly

and

accurately

using the

signature-analysis maintenance

tech-

nique,

thereby reducing instrument down-time. Anadapter

(P/N

950028)

is available from Boonton Electronics

Cor-

poration

for

signature-analysis maintenance.

1-9.

ACCESSORIES.

1-10.

The basic

instrument is supplied complete

with

power

cord, sensor cable and

sensor.

It is designed

to

operate

with any Boonton Electronics Corporation

Series

4210 sensor,

the

characteristics of

which are

listed

in

Table

1-1.

The

calibration data for

the

particular

sensor ordered

are

written

into microprocessor memory

before

shipment

of

the instrument.

1-11.

Inquiries

regarding special applications of

the

in-

strument

to

specific

customer requirements

are

invited.

Direct such

inquiries

to

the Applications

Engineering

De-

partment

of Boonton Electronics Corporation.

1-12.

SPECIFICATIONS.

1-13.

Pertinent performance specifications for

the

instru-

ment are listed

in Table

1-1.

1-14.

OUTLINE

DIMENSIONS.

1-15.

Outline

dimensions

of the

instrument are

shown

in

Figure

1-4.

TABLE

1-1.

PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS

Parameter

Specifications

FREQUENCY

RANGE:

200

kHz

to

18

GHz (depending

on

power

sensor

used)

MODES:

Power

Display in

nW,

juW,

or

mW

dBm

Display in

dB relative

to

1

mW

dBr

Display

in

dB

relative

to the previous

dBm display

POWER

RANGE:

With all

4210-4

series

sensors

70 dB dynamic range

with

7

full-scale

ranges

of-50,-40,-30,-20,-10,

0

and

+

10

dBm

(10

nW

to

10 mW

f.s.)

With

all

4210-5

series

sensors

70

dB

dynamic

range

with

7 full-scale

ranges

of-

40,

-30,

-20,-

10,

0,

+

10

and

+20

dBm

(100

nW

to

100

mW

f.s.)

1-2

Section

I

Introduction

TABLE

1-1.

PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS

(cont.)

Parameter

Specifications

With

4210-7E

sensor

With

4210-8E

sensor

Ranging

40 dB

dynamic

range with

4 full-scale ranges

of-

20,-

10,

0,

and

+

10

dBm

(10/xWto

lOmWf.s.)

40

dB

dynamic

range with

4

full-scale

ranges of

-10,

0,

+10,

and

+20

dBm

(100

to

100

mW

f.s.)

Automatic

INSTRUMENTATION ACCURACY:

(Uncertainties include

instrumentation, non-linearity, range

zero correc-

tions, and

noise).

Zero

Zero

drift

Temperature

effect

GENERAL:

Cal.

Factor

Waveform

Response

Modes

Ranges

All

But

Lowest

(All

Sensors)

Lowest

(4210-4

&-5

Sensors)

Lowest

(4210-7E Sensor)

PWR

MODE

±

1

.5%

rdg. ±0.1%

f.s ±2%

rdg.

±

1.5%

f.s.

±

1%

rdg.

+

3%

f.s.

dB

Modes

+

0 07 HR ±

dB

f.s.

-

dB

rdg

±0 15dR±

dB

f

.,-dB

rd

,

±n.l dR±

dB

f.s.

-

dB

rde.

250

15 10

Automatic,

operated

by front-panel

key

switch

With all

4210-4

series

sensors:

1

riW/h,

max.,

on

10

nW range

With all

4210-5

series sensors:

10

nW/h, max.,

on

100

nW

range

With 4210-7E sensor:

1

/xW/h, max., on

10

(JW

range

With

4210-8E

sensor:

1

/xW/h,

max.,

on

100

jliW

range

Range Instrument

21°

C

to

25°

C 0

dB

18°

C

to

30°

C

0

dB

10°

C

to

40°

C

±0.2 dB

Sensor

0

dB

±0.1

dB

±0.2

dB

Range

1.10 dB

to

-

1.10

dB,

entered via

calibrated front-panel

control

With

all

4210^1

series sensors: True average power

to

20

/xW;

above

20

/uW,

average

power of sine wave

With

all

4210-5

series

sensors:

True

average

power

to

200

/xW;

above

200/xW,

average power of

sine

wave

Measurement

Speed

With 4210-7E/8E sensor:

True

average

power

With

4210^4

and

-5

sensors:

Typically 1

.0s

to

2.5s.

Worst

case

below

-40dBm,

8s

for

increasing and

27s

for

decreasing levels

Display

With

4210-7E

and

4210-8E sensors:

Typically

2s

to

5s for increasing

levels

and

2s

to

23s

for

decreasing

levels

4-digit LED. 3-1

/

2 digit display of power, 4-digit display

of

dB

with 0.01

dB

resolution

Annunciators

Error

Indication

Power

Consumption

Weight

Size

Auxiliary analog

display,

uncalibrated, proportional

to

power

(PWR

mode) or dB

(dB mode)

LED display of

nW, /xW,

mW,

dBm

and

dBr

Display

shows

overrange

condition

100,

120,

220,

240

V, 50

-

400

Hz,

18

VA

2.27 kg

(5

lbs.), approx.

114

mm

high x

216 wide

x

257 deep

(4.5

in.

x

8.5

x

10.1)

1-3

Section

I

Introduction

TABLE

1-2.

SENSOR

CHARACTERISTICS

S«fiaor

Typo

Full-wave dfode

Thermocouple

type

Model

4210-4A

4210-4B

4210-4C 4210-4E

4210-5B 4210-5E

4210-7E

4210-8E

Input

son

so

n

75 £1

50fi

so

n

5012

so

n

Frequency

Range

200kHz-7GHz 200kHz-12.4

GHz

200kHz-1

GHz

200kHz-18GHz

200kHz-12.4GHz

200kHz-18GHz

10MHz-18GHz

Power

Range

1

nW

to

10

mW

10

nW to

100

mW

1/jW to 10

mW

10 pW

to

10

mW

Sun of

Calibration

Factor

Uncertainty

1%,

0.2-300

MHz

1,3%,300MHz-2GHz

3.0%,

2G

Hz-4

GHz

3.5%,

4GHz-7GHz

1%,

0.2-300MHZ

1.3%,

300MHz-2GHz

3.0%,

2G

Hz-4 GHz

3.5%,

4GHz-8GHz

4.0%,

dGHz-IOGHz

4.5%,

10GHz-12GHz

6.0%,

12GHz-18GHz

Add

0.05

dB/mW

above

4 GHz

1%,

0.2-300

MHz

1.3%,

300MHx-2GHx

3.0%,

2

GHz-4GHz

3.5%,

4

GHz-8 GHz

4.0%, 8GHz-l0GHz

4.5%, 10GHz-12GHz

6.0%,

12GHz-18GHz

Add 0.005

dB/mW above 4

GHz

1%, 10-300MHz

1.3“/*,

300MHz-2GHz

3.0%,

2GHz-4GHz

3.5%,

4GHz-8GHz

4.0%,

8

GHz-

10 GHz

4.5%, 10GHz-12GHz

6,0%,

12GHz-18GHz

Max. SWR 1.12,

200kHz-2GHz

1.2,

2GHz-4GHz

1.4,

4GHz-7GHz

1.12,

200kHz-2GHz

1.2,

2G

Hz-4 GHz

1.4,

4GHz-1

1GHz

1.6,

11

GHz-12.4

GHz

1.18,

20

0k

Hz-1

GHz

1.3,

200kHz-4GHz

1.5,

4GHz-10GHz

1.7,

10GHz-18GHz

1.07,

200kHz-1 GHz

1.10,

1GHz-2GHz

1.12,

2GHz-4GHz

1.18,

4GHz-12.4GHz

1.07,

200kHz-1GHz

1.10,

1GHz-2GHz

1.12,

2G

Hz-1 GHz

1.18,

4GHZ-12.4GHZ

1.28,

12.4GHz-18GHz

1.5,

10

MHz-15MHz

1.35,

15MHz-10GHz

1.6,

10GHz-18GHz

|

Max

Average

Power

10 mW {+10

dBm)

100

mW (+20

dBm)

10

mW

(+10 dBm)

100 mW

(+20 dBm}

|

Overload

Bating

300

mW

(+25

dBm)

2W

(+33

dBm)

30 mW

(+14

dBm)’

200 mW (+23 dBm)

|

RF

Connector Precision Type

N

male

Calibration

Factor

Individually calibrated

at up to

9 frequencies,

depending

on sensor.

1-4

Section

I

Introduction

MAXIMUM RESPONSE TIME

IN

SECONDS

WITH

4210-4/5

SENSORS

LI

(dBm)

L2 (dBm)

+

10 0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50 -60

+io-

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

1.5

1.5

2.5

2.5

1.75

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

INCREASING

LEVEL

LI TO

L2

NOTE

For

Series

5 sensors

increase

levels

by 10

dB.

MAXIMUM RESPONSE

TIME

IN

SECONDS

WITH

4210-4/5

SENSORS

LI

(dBm)

L2

(dBm)

+

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50 -60

+

10

-

0

-

-

10

-

-

20

-

-30-

-40-

-50-

-60-

1.5

1.5

1.75

1.5

1.75

1.25

27

18

15

10

10

11

DECREASING

LEVEL

LI to

L2

NOTE

For

Series

5 sensors

increase

levels by 10

dB.

Figure

1-2

Response-Time Chart

for

Series

42 10

A/

5

Sensors

1-5

Section

I

Introduction

MAXIMUM

RESPONSE

TIME

IN SECONDS

WITH 42I0-7E/8E

SENSORS

LI dBm

L2dBm

INCREASING

LEVEL

LI to L2

NOTE

For Series 8E

sensors increase

levels by 10 dB.

MAXIMUM

RESPONSE

TIME IN

SECONDS

WITH

4210-7E/8E

SENSORS

L2

dBm

Figure

1-3

Response-Time

Chart

for

Instrument and 4210-7E/8E Sensor

1-6

Figure

1-4

Outline

Dimensions

1-7

Section

II

Operation

SECTION

II

OPERATION

2-1.

GENERAL.

2-2.

This section

provides instructions for installation

and

operation of

the

instrument. Although the design

of the

instrument

emphasizes ease

of

operation,

it

is recom-

mended

that the operator familiarize himself

thoroughly

with

the

material in

this section before attempting to

oper-

ate

the instrument;

otherwise,

the full capabilities

of

the

instrument

may

not be realized in

use.

2-3.

INSTALLATION.

2-4.

Unpacking. The

instrument is

shipped

complete

with

sensor,

and is

ready

for

use upon receipt. Packaging

details

are

shown

in Figure

2-1.

Unpack the

instrument carefully,

and inspect it for

any signs of

shipping damage.

Should

any

damage be

noted, notify

the carrier

and the

factory

immediately.

NOTE

Save the

packing material and container

for

possible

use

in

reshipment of

the instrument.

2-5.

Mounting.

For

bench

use,

choose

a clean,

sturdy,

uncluttered

surface.

See

Figure

1-4

for

space

requirements.

2-6.

Power

Requirements.

The instrument

has a tapped

power transformer which

permits operation

from

100,

120,

220,

or

240

volt

±

10%,

50 to 400 Hz, single-phase a.c.

power

sources.

Power consumption is

approximately

18

volt-amperes

at

60 Hz.

Section

II

Operation

2-7. Cable

Connections.

A

line

cord

and sensor

cable

are

supplied

with

the instrument.

Any other

cables

required

must

be

supplied by

the

user.

Cable

connections

that may

be

required

are:

a.

Sensors.

The

sensor cable

supplied

with

the

basic

instrument

connects

directly

to

the

front-panel

SENSOR

connector,

and

the

sensor

that is to

be used

for power

measurements

connects

directly

to

the

other

end

of the

sensor

cable.

Although the

sensors are

insulated

against

extreme

temperature variations,

it

is

advisable to

locate the

sensor

away

from heat

sources

when using

the most-

sensitive

ranges

of the

instrument.

If the

instrument

is

to

be

used

to

measure

the

output of

equipment

that

generates

heat

significantly

above

the

ambient

temperature,

a short

length

of

coaxial cable or

solid line

having the

same

charac-

teristic

impedance

as

the

sensor

may

be

used between the

sensor

and the

equipment

undergoing test

to allow

heat to

dissipate

before

reaching the

sensor. If such

a cable is used

,

the

length

must

be kept

as

short as

possible for

operation

at

the

high

end

of

the

frequency range;

cable

losses

and

an

increase in

s.w.r.

will tend to

degrade measurement

accuracy.

2-8.

OPERATING CONTROLS,

INDICATORS,

AND

CONNECTORS.

2-9.

Controls,

indicators,

and connectors

used

during

op-

eration

of

the

instrument are

shown

in Figures

2-2

and

2-3.

Table

2-1

lists their

functions.

2-10.

SENSOR

CALIBRATION DATA.

2-11.

Low-frequency

calibration

corrections for sensors

ordered with

the

instrument are

written into microproces-

sor

memoryat thefactory

before

shipmentof

the instrument

and sensor.

High-frequency

calibration

data appear

on

the

chart on the sensor barrel and

the

proper

dB

correction

is

entered using

the

CAL FACTOR

dB control.

For the

procedure

for

determining

the

calibration

factor, refer

to

paragraph

4-21.

The field

replacement

of any

sensor with

TABLE

2-1.

OPERATING

CONTROLS, INDICATORS,

AND

CONNECTORS

Control,

Indicator,

or

Connector

Figure

and

Index

No. Function

METER

2-2, 1

Provides relative

indication of power

or

dB for

peaking

and

nulling operations.

LED

display

2-2,2 Four-digit LED

display

with

minus

sign and

decimal

points;

provides

numerical

indication of measured

power,

dBm, or

dBr.

mW,

/AV,

and nW

annunciators

2-2,

3

Indicate units of power

when instrument

is operating in

power mode.

dBm

and

dBr

annunciators

2-2,4 Indicate

mode of dB operation.

CAL

FACTOR

control

2-2,

5

Provides

means of

entering

calibration

factors

in dB.

LINE

switch

2-2,6

Provides

means for switching

a.c. line

power on and off.

REF

key

2-2,

7 Provides

means

for

storing

a

displayed dBm reading

as

the

reference

for future dBr

measurements.

dBr

key

2-2,8

Provides

means for displaying dB measurements

offset by

the

selected

reference (see 2-2,

7).

PWR/dBm

keys

2-2,9 Provide means

for

selecting

power or

dBm

mode

of display.

ZERO key

2-2,

10

Provides means

for generating and storing zero

corrections

for

all

ranges

with

zero

input

to

sensor.

SENSOR

connection

2-2,

1

1

Provides

means for

connecting sensor.

Power

connection

2-3,

1 Provides

connection

for a.c.

power

cord.

FI

fuse

2-3,2

Accepts 0.3

A

(100/120

V

a.c.)

or

0.2

A

(220/240

V a.c.) fuses.

A.C.

power

switch

2-3,

3

Provides

means for selecting

a.c.

power

of

100,

120,

220,

or

240

V.

Fuse

chart

2-3,4 Describes

required fuse value

for various a.c.

line

voltages.

2-2

Section

II

Operation

Section II

Operation

another of

the

same

type requires only

a simple recalibra-

tionprocedure (see

Section

IV).

If

a

sensor

is replaced

with

one

of

a

different

type,

a

replacement

PROM

is also

re-

quired

to

reconfigure the

4210

to

the

new

sensor.

a. General.

Power

sensors

used

with

the

Model

4210

can be

thought

of as

four-part items: the power

sensor

itself,

an

EPROM,

and two

resistors.

If

you

change the

type

of sensor

from

that

with

which the

4210 was

originally

supplied,

it may

be necessary to

change

the EPROM and

the

resistors

as

well. The

following

table

gives

the part

number for

ordering a new

sensor;

it

is

in fact the

part

number

for a kit that

includes the

sensor,

an

EPROM

and

two

resistors.

In

some

cases

you

may

receive

an EPROM with the

same

part

number

as that

of the EPROM

already installed in the

instrument.

However, since the new one

may be an updated

version,

it

is

preferable to install

the

new EPROM.

Note

that even

if neither the EPROM nor the

resistors

need

be

changed, it will

always

be

necessary to recalibrate the

4210

when

changing sensors.

Model

4210 Power-Sensor

Configuration

Part

No.

Sensor

Type

EPROM

Resistors

95

101801A

42

10-4

A

53427600A 341325000

95

101901A

4210-4B

53427600A 341325000

95102001A

4210-4C

53427600A

341325000

95

102101A

4210-4E

53427600A

341325000

95

102201A

4210-5B 53428300A

341325000

95

102301A

4210-5E

53428300A

341325000

95102401

A

4210-7E*

53429200A

**

95102501A

4210-8E*

53430700A

**

534388000

**

534389000

**

*

Add

two

(2)

(343729000)

20M

5

%

1/4

W

resistors to

the

Chopper

Board.

**

A

selected

resistor

value between 4.32K

to

8.25K

must

be

used.

b.

Installation.

(1)

Remove line

power

from

the

4210.

(2)

Remove

the instrument’s top

cover.

(3)

Replace

U29 (EPROM)

in

the

instrument

with

the EPROM

supplied

in the

kit. Note that if

you are

replacing a sensor with

one of the same type,

you

do

not

have

to

replace

U29

but, as noted earlier,

it

may

be

desirable

to

do so.

(4)

Use

the

Overlay

drawing on

page

6-7

to help

locate resistors

R21

and

R23.

(They

are

at

the

very

bottom of

the

drawing, just to

the

right

of

center.)

Replace

these

resistors

with the ones

that are

supplied

in the

kit: 1.8

k-ohm for

diode-type

sensors;

and

7.5

k-ohm

for

thermal

sensors.

Note that

if

you

are

replacing a

sensor with one of

the

same type,

there is

no need

to

change

R21 and

R23.

(5)

If parts

have

been

replaced

or

if you

are changing

sensors

(even

though

the sensors are the same type),

the Model 4210 must

be

recalibrated.

Refer to

page

4-2,4-14.

2-12.

POWER

APPLICATION.

2-13.

The basic instrument

is

designed

for

operation

from

a.c.

line

voltages

of

100,

120, 220,

or

240,

50 to

400

Hz,

single phase. To

apply

a.c. power, proceed

as

follows:

a.

Determine

the

line

voltage at the a.c.

power

output

receptacle.

b.

Position the

two voltage-selector

slide

switches

on the

rear

panel to

agree

with

the a.c.

line voltage.

c. Check

the rating

of

the

fuse

in the rear-panel

fuse-

holder.

For

100-

or 1 20-volt

operation, the fuse

should

be a

0.3-ampere,

MDL Slo-Blo

type;

for

220-

or 240-volt opera-

tion, it

should

be

a

0.2-ampere, MDL

Slo-Blo type.

If

the

ratingofthe

fuse

is

incorrect, install

a

fuse of

the

required

rating in

the

fuseholder.

WARNING

|

The

instrument

is

designed

to

operate

from

a

3-terminal

(one ground) a.c.

power

receptacle.

If

only

a

2-terminal a.c.

power receptacle

is

available,

use

a 3-prong-to-2 prong

adapter.

Connect

the

ground

wire of the

adapter

to

the

power

receptacle

ground,

to

eliminate

a

poten-

tial

shock

hazard

to

the operator.

d.

Connect the power

cord

between the

a.c.

power

con-

nector

on the rear

panel

of

the

instrument

and the

a.c.

power receptacle

(with adapter,

if necessary).

2-14.

PRELIMINARY

CHECK OF

INSTRUMENT.

NOTE

The

following checkout

procedure is

intended

merely

to demonstrate that

the major

circuits

of

the

instrument are operating,

before the in-

strument

is

placed

in

service.

For a

detailed

check of the

instrument

against

performance

specifications,

refer

to

paragraph

2-28.

2-4

Section

II

Operation

2-15. To

perform a preliminary

operational

checkout,

proceed as

follows:

a.

Set the LINE

switch

to

the ON position.

The LED

annunciator

directly

above the switch

should light.

b.

Immediately at

power-on

all

the LED

display digits,

the

minus

sign,

and all annunciators

should

light for

ap-

proximately 1 second,

blank for 0.5 second,

and

then

commence

normal indications. Their failure

to

exhibit this

sequence

is an

indication

of instrument malfunction.

c

.

Connect the correct

power sensor

to

the front-panel

SENSOR

connector.

d.

With

no

signal

connected to the

sensor, press the

PWR

key

and

then

press

the ZERO

key. A “good zero” is

indicated by equal positive and negative

excursions

of the

display,

and

by

the

minus

sign flashing on

and off. If

necessary,

press

the

ZERO

key

a

second

time

to

obtain

a

good zero.

NOTE

Always have

the

instrument

in

the power

dis-

play mode before executing

a zero.

This

assures

that

the

quality

of the zero correction can

be

monitored

by

observing

the

fluctuations

of the

display around zero.

If

the

instrument

is

in the

dBm

mode, the error

signal LO

appears on

the

display for signals that

are less than

-70

dBm,

and

the

quality

of

the

zero therefore cannot

be

observed.

e.

Connect

any suitable signal source

of frequency

greater

than

200 kHzto

the

sensor

input and

verify

a proper

display of

power.

f.

Press

the

dBm

key

and

verify

an equivalent dBm

display.

g.

Press

the

REF key

to

enter

the

dBm level

displayed in

(f)

above,

as

the

reference

for

all subsequent dBr

displays,

h.

Press

the dBr key

and verify

that the

dB display has

been

offset

by the

reference established in

(g),

above.

i. Press

the dBm key, check the

displayed reading,

and

then

rotate

the CAL

FACTOR

control by

a given

amount.

Verify

that the

dBm

display

changes by

that

amount.

j.

Reset

the

CAL FACTOR

control

to 0.

k.

This concludes

the preliminary

operational

checkout.

To check

the

instrument

for

minimum performance

stand-

ards,

refer

to paragraph

2-28.

2-16.

OPERATING PROCEDURES.

2-17.

Programming

Measurement Parameters.

a. General.

Measurement

parameters are

entered

into

the

microprocessor through

the front-panel controls.

When the instrument is turned

on, the

PWR

key

is

auto-

matically

activated and no dBm

offset

is stored for

dBr

measurements.

b.

Mode Selection.

Two mode keys

select

either

power

units

or

dBm. When the

PWR

key

is

pressed,

measured

power

levels

are displayed in mW,

juW,

or nW;

the

annuncia-

tors

associated

with

the

LED

display

indicate

the

appro-

priate

unit.When the

dBm

key is

pressed,

measurement

values

are displayed in

terms

of

dBm

(0

dBm

is

equivalent

to

1

mW

across 50 ohms).

An

annunciator

associated

with

the LED display indicates when

the dBm mode

is

selected.

c.

Two mode keys select a dB display offset

by a refer-

ence value.

Any displayed dBm reading

may

be stored as

the

reference

by pressing

the REF

key.

When

the dBr

key

is

then

pressed,

all

future dB

readings

will

be offset by

that

reference. As an example, if the instrument

is

displaying

a

reading

of- 10.00

dBm,

pressing the

REF

key

will

store

this

value. When

the d

Br key

is pressed,

assuming

no change in

the input

power level to

the

sensor, the

display will indicate

0.00

dBr

[-

10.00

dBm

-

(-

10.00

dBm)].

NOTE

Since

the

difference

of two dB values

is

the

same as

the

ratio

of

the

two equivalent

power

values, offset measurements provide

ratio

ca-

pabilities. Additionally, an offset

dB display

is

a

convenient

means for normalizing

future

readings to the reference value.

d.

Range

Selection.

Range selection

is entirely

auto-

matic and

always results in

the

best possible

display

resolu-

tion.

e. CAL FACTOR Selection.

The

sensors

used

with the

instrument are frequency-sensitive; that

is,

with a

constant

input power

level applied, their output signal

level

does

not

remain

constant

as

the

measurement frequency

is

changed

.

Each

sensor is marked

with

its

required

corrections

as

a

function of frequency. The front-panel CAL

FACTOR

rotary

control provides the means

for

entering

these

correc-

tions into

the

microprocessor. As

an

example,

if a

sensor

has

a CAL

FACTOR

of-0.35

dB at a particular

frequency,

setting

the

CAL FACTOR

control to -0.35 dB

will

correct

the

display

value

for

that frequency

2

-

18 .

Zeroing the Instrument. For greatest

accuracy,

espe-

cially on the most-sensitive

ranges, the

instrument

must

be

1-5

Section

II

Operation

zeroed.

To

eliminate

tedious

and less-accurate

manual

zeroing,

the

instrument

incorporates

an

automatic zeroing

capability.

When

automatic zeroing

is

initiated, the mi-

croprocessor

reads

and

averages

the

offset and stores the

zero

correction

required on the

most sensitive range,

as

well

as

scaled

corrections required

for

the

other ranges.

The

instrument

then

applies

the proper

zero

correction for

the

range

in use

for

all

subsequent

measurements.

During in-

strument

warmup, or

when

used in

an

environment with

varying

ambient

temperatures,

the instrument should

be

zeroed

frequently

if

measurements

are

being made

on the

lowest

ranges.

To

zero

the instrument,

proceed

as

follows:

{

CAUTION

:

Never

press the

ZERO

key

with

a signal applied

to

the

sensor; to

do

so

will

result

in large,

erroneous

zero

corrections and

grossly

inaccu-

rate

measurements.

a.

Remove

all

input power to

the sensor.

NOTE

If

the instrument

is

subjected to strong

r.f.

fields,

shield

the sensor

in

accordance

with the

instructions

in

paragraph

2-27.

b. If

the

instrument is

in the

power mode,

press

the

ZERO key.

If

the instrument is

in

the dBm or dBr

mode,

first

press

the

PWR

key, then press

the ZERO

key.

A

“good

zero”

is

indicated

by

equal

positive

and

negative excursions

of

the

display and

by the

minus sign flashing

on and

off.

If

necessary,

press

the

ZERO key

a

second

time

to

obtain

a

good zero.

2-19. Making

Absolute

Power

Measurements.

Once the

instrument

is

zeroed,

it

is

ready for

power-level measure-

ments.

Merely

connect

the sensor

to the

source

whose

power

level

is to

be

measured and press the PWR

key,

for

display

in power

units, or

press

the

dBm key for

display in

dBm

units.

2-20.

Making

Relative or Offset

Power Measurements.

If

the

instrument

is

in the

dBm

mode of

operation,

any dis-

played

dBm

value

may be

used

as a reference

for subse-

quent

relative

power

measurements,

as

follows:

a.

Press

the REF key. This

stores the

current dBm

value

as

a

reference.

b. Press

the

dBr

key. The

dBr

annunciator

will light,

indicating

that the

instrument is displaying dB

values rela-

tive

to the

stored

reference. The

stored reference

remains

unchanged

for

all subsequent measurements

until

a new

reference

is

entered

or

the

instrument

is turned off.

2-21.

MAKING

MEASUREMENTS.

2-22.

Low-Level

Measurements. The instrument

will

pro-

vide reliable,

reproducible

measurements

of

c.w.,

a.m.,

and

f.m.

power

levels

as

low

as

1

nW

(-60

dBm).

It

can also be

used

for

pulse

measurements

but

with

slightly

decreased

accuracy

(±1

dB).

Peak

power levels

for

pulse measure-

ments should

not

exceed

200

fJSM

(20

fJW

for Series

4210-4

sensors);

above this level

the sensor enters the region where

it

operates out of

the

square-law

region,

and accuracy

at

such

signal levels

is

correct

for c.w.

and f.m. only.

2-23.

High-Level

Measurements.

Zeroing of the

instru-

ment is not

critical

when

making high-level

measurements

(10

fx

W

to 100 mW).

C.W. and

f.m.

power

measurements

can

be

obtained within the specified

accuracy up

to

100

mW; accuracy

cannot

be guaranteed for

pulse power mea-

surements with instantaneous peaks

exceeding

350

juW

(35

iuW

for Series

4210-4

sensors).

2-24.

High-Frequency

Measurements.

At

frequencies

above

1

GHz,

the

appropriate

sensor-calibration

factor

must

be entered by

the

CAL

FACTOR control

if

the

specified accuracy

of the

instrument

is

to be

realized. (Refer

to paragraph

2-17e.)

NOTE

Model

4210-4

A,

4210-4B,

4210-4E, 4210-5B,

4210-5

E and 42

1

0-7E

sensors

are calibrated for

use

with

a 50-ohm source; model

4210-4C

sen-

sors

are calibrated

for use with a

75-ohm

source.

Impedance

mismatch results

in

in-

creased

s.w.r.,

which affects measurement

ac-

curacy. (Refer to paragraph

4-30

and Figure

4-7.)

This effect can be

reduced

by

inserting

a

low-s.w.r. attenuator (s.w.r.

less than

1.10)

ora

low-loss

tuner

between

the source

and

the

sensor.

2-25.

Temperature

Effects.

Specified instrument accura-

cies

apply over an

ambient temperature range

of

21°

C to

25°

C. Operation outside this temperature range

causes

some additional error.

Figure

2-4

shows typical tempera-

ture characteristics

of

a

Series

4210 sensor,

and

Figure

2-5

shows

typical

temperature

characteristics

of the

instrument

and sensor

combined.

NOTE

For

best zero

stability of the

instrument,

allow

the

instrument and

sensor

to

reach

a stable

temperature.

2-26.

S.W.R.

Measurements.

The

high

upper-fre-

quency

limit

and

sensitivity

of the

instrument

facilitates

s.w.r.

measurements with a

slotted line.

S.W.R.

measure-

2-6

Section

II

Operation

ments

require

only comparative,

rather

than

absolute,

measurement

values;

therefore, the

instrument may

be

used

up to 20

GHz

with

a model

4210-4E sensor. The front-panel

meter

is

especially useful for

rapid determination

of maxi-

mum

and

minimum

power

points.

S.W.R.

is

determined

by

measuring

the

dB

difference

between

a

maximum

and

a

minimum

voltage

point on

a slotted

line

and converting

this

difference to

s.w.r.

An adapter, usually available from

the

slotted-line

manufacturer,

is

required to couple

the

sensor

to

the

slotted

line. To

make

slotted-line s.w.r. measure-

ments,

proceed as

follows:

a.

Connect

the sensor

to

the sliding carriage,

using

a

suitable

adapter.

b.

Ascertain that

the

signal source

is

turned off;

then,

zero

the

instrument.

c.

Turn

on

the

signal source

and

slide the carriage

along

the slotted

line

until a point

of

maximum

indication

is

located.

Adjust

the source signal level

and the

probe

setting

for

the

least

coupling that yields

a-41

dBm reading at

the

maximum

point.

(The

incident power should be

at

least

0 dBm.)

d.

Slide

the carriage along

the slotted

line until

a min-

imum

indication

is

located. Read the level

at this

point.

Subtract the

measured

level at the

minimum

point from

that at

the

maximum point,

ignoring signs.

Convert the

resultant

AdB into

s.w.r.,

either

through

use

of

the

s.w.r.

conversion

chart (Figure

2-6)

or by computation.

S.W.R.

is

the

antilog,

base

10,

of

AdB/

20.

2-27. Shielding

Recommendations.

If the instrument

is

subjected

to

strong r.f. fields, accurate zeroing

may

be

difficult

unless

the sensor is shielded during the

zeroing

operation.

The

simplest method

of

shielding

is

to

connect

the

sensor to

the device

whose power level

is

to

be

mea-

sured,

first

making sure

that the device

is

turned

off; how-

ever, in

some

instances, the device may

act

as

an

antenna

and

introduce

additional noise voltage into

the sensor.

If

this

happens,

disconnect the

sensor

from the

device,

stand

the

sensor,

end down, on

a copper plate, and

hold it

down

firmly

so that the

rim

of

the

sensor

connector

makes

good

contact with

the copper

plate at

all points.

Alternatively,

wrap a

piece of

thin copper

foil

around

the body

of

the

connector

body,

and

crimp

the

foil around the

open end

of

the

connector,

making certain that the

center pin of

the

connector is

not shorted.

If

frequent zeroing

in strong noise

fields is

necessary,

construct an adapter,

using

a

Type

N

connector

permanently fitted with

a

copper

foil

shield.

2-28. MINIMUM

PERFORMANCE

STANDARDS.

2-29.

Test

Equipment

Required. For minimum

perfor-

mance testing

of

the

instrument, a precision

adjustable

power

source, such as

the Boonton Model 25A

Power

Meter

Calibrator,

is

required.

NOTE

A 1 MHz

power source,

such as

the

Boonton

Model

25A,

is

recommended

for testing

the

instrument and its

sensors,

except

when

the

instrument is fitted

with

a

4210-7E sensor.

In

that case, an

equivalent 50

MHz

power

source

is

required.

2-30.

Preliminary

Setup.

a. Turn on

the instrument and

the

adjustable

power

source

and allow a warmup period

of at least

one

hour. The

ambient temperature should be

21°

C

(70°

F) to

25°

C

(77°

F).

b. Set

the adjustable

power

source

to zero

and

connect

the sensor between

the

power

source and the

front-panel

SENSOR

connector

of the

Model

4210,

using

the

sensor

cable.

c.

If

the

instrument

is

in its power

mode,

as indicated

by

the nW,

ynW,

or

mW

annunciators, press the

ZERO

key

of

the instrument.Ifthe instrument is

in

either dBm

or

dBr

modes, as indicated

by

those annunciators,

first

press the

PWR

key

followed by

the

ZERO key.

A

good

zero

is

indicated

by

equal excursions of

the

display

in

both

the

positive and

negative

directions,

with the

minus

sign

flash-

ing on and off.

Repeat

the zeroing process, if

necessary,

to

obtain

a good zero.

2-31.

Ranging

Test. To

check the

autoranging

function

of

the

instrument,

set

the

output

level

of

the adjustable

power

source

to

each of the values

listed below.

If

the instrumentis

ranging properly,

the

indications

will

be approximately

as

shown,

with

correct

decimal point and

annunciators.

Indications

with

Sensor

Power

4210-4

4210-5

4210-7E

Annunci-

Source

ators

10

nW

10.00

nW

100 nW 100.0

100.0

nW

1

mW

1.000

1.000

fJL

W

io

mW

10.00

10.00

10.00

100

mW

100.0

100.0

100.0

mW

1

mW

1.000

1.000

1.000 mW

10 mW

10.00 10.00

10.00 mW

100 mW

100.0

mW

2-32.

dBm Mode.

When

the instrument

is

turned

on

it

always reverts

to

the power

mode. To

check the

dBm

mode

of

the

instrument,

proceed as follows:

2-7