COBHAM 3011, 3010, 3010 Series User Manual

Aeroflex 3010 Manual

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3010 and 3011

(3010 Series)

RF Synthesizer PXI Modules

User Manual

Document no. 46892/637

Issue 16

28 September 2015

PREFACE

2

About this manual

This manual explains how to set up and configure a Cobham 3010 or 3011 RF Synthesizer PXI module. Where
necessary, it refers you to the appropriate installation documents that are supplied with the module.

Please note: this manual applies only when the instrument is used with the supplied software.

This manual provides information about how to configure the module as a stand-alone device. However, one of the
advantages of Cobham 3000 Series PXI modules is their ability to form versatile test instruments, when used with
other such modules and running 3000 Series application software.

Getting Started with afSigGen and Getting Started with afDigitizer (supplied on the CD-ROM that accompanies
each module (see Associated documentation)) explain how to set up and configure a 3010 Series RF synthesizer
with a 3020 Series RF signal generator module or a 3030 Series RF digitizer module. Using the soft front panels
and/or dll or COM object supplied, the modules form instruments that provide the functionality and performance of
integrated, highly-specified signal generators or digitizers, but with the adaptability to satisfy a diverse range of test
or measurement requirements.

 Aeroflex Limited 2015

Longacres House

Six Hills Way

Stevenage SG1 2AN

UK

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

or recorded by any information storage or retrieval system,

without permission in writing by Aeroflex Limited

(trading as Cobham Wireless and hereafter referred to throughout the document as ‘Cobham’).

PREFACE

3

Intended audience

Users who need to synthesize signals in the range 1.5 GHz to 3.0 GHz.

This manual is intended for first-time users, to provide familiarity with basic operation. Programming is not covered
in this document but is documented fully in the help files that accompany the drivers and associated software on
the CD-ROM.

Driver version

To maintain optimum performance, 3000 Series PXI modules should be used either with the software driver version
with which they were supplied, or the latest driver, which you can download from the Cobham website. Cobham
endeavors to ensure modules remain backwards compatible with earlier driver version releases.

PREFACE

4

Associated documentation

If you want to… Refer to…

Find information about soft front panels,
drivers, application software, data sheets,

getting started and user manuals for this

and other modules in the 3000 Series.

PXI Modules CD-ROM

Part no. 46886/028

Supplied with the module

Install modules into a rack, interconnect

them, power up and install drivers.

PXI Modules Common Installation Guide

Part no. 46882/663

On the CD-ROM and at www.cobham.com/wireless

Set up a populated chassis ready for use.

PXI Modules Installation Guide for Chassis

Part no. 46882/667

On the CD-ROM and at www.cobham.com/wireless

Set up and use the universal PXI

application for system configuration and

operation.

PXI Studio 2 User Guide

Part no: 46892/809

On the CD-ROM and at www.cobham.com/wireless

Set up and use a digitizer application for

3010 Series and 3030 Series modules

(document currently not maintained —

for information only).

Getting Started with afDigitizer

Part no. 46892/676

On the CD-ROM and at www.cobham.com/wireless

Set up and use a signal generator

application for 3010 Series and

3020 Series modules

(document currently not maintained —

for information only).

Getting Started with afSigGen

Part no. 46892/678

On the CD-ROM and at www.cobham.com/wireless

Download example source code You can download examples of source code (written for

different application development environments) from the

Cobham website.



® is a registered trademark of Cobham plc, the parent company of Aeroflex Limited

PXI™ is a trademark of the PXI Systems Alliance

Windows®, Windows XP®, Windows® 7 and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation

PREFACE

5

Preface

Patent protection

The 3010 Series RF Synthesizer PXI module is protected by the following patents:

GB 2294599

US 5781600

4609881

EP 0125790

The PXI concept

VXI and GPIB systems meet the specific needs of instrumentation users but are often too large and expensive for
mainstream applications. PC-based instrumentation may cost less but cannot meet the environmental and
operational requirements of many systems.

PXI (PCI Extensions for Instrumentation) is based on CompactPCI, itself based on the PCI standard. PCI was
designed for desktop machines but CompactPCI was designed for industrial applications, and features a rugged
Eurocard format with easy insertion and removal. PXI adds to the CompactPCI specification by defining system­level specifications for timing, synchronization, cooling, environmental testing, and software. While PXI extends
CompactPCI, it also maintains complete interoperability so that you can use any CompactPCI-compliant product in
a PXI system and vice versa. PXI also makes use of Windows® software, VXI timing and triggering, and
VXIplug&play instrument drivers to provide powerful and affordable systems.

PXI Express now integrates PCI Express into PXI, providing up to 6 Gbyte/s backplane bandwidth and up to
2 Gbyte/s slot bandwidth. PXI Express maintains backwards compatibility with PXI, providing software compatibility
and hardware compatibility with hybrid slots and hybrid systems.

Hybrid slot compatibility

PXI chassis that provide hybrid slots can accept both PXI Express modules and hybrid-compatible PXI modules.
Hybrid-compatible PXI modules have a ‘missing’ section of connector (see Fig. 1), which allows them to be inserted
into both hybrid slots and standard PXI-1 slots.

Because of the reduced connectivity of Cobham hybrid-compatible PXI modules, the PXI parallel local bus
LBR[12:0] disappears, to be replaced by the serial connection LBR[6], which is typically used to provide list
addresses to a 3010 Series RF Synthesizer. LBL[0] also disappears.

PREFACE

6

Fig. 1 Standard PXI single-slot connector (L) and hybrid-compatible PXI connector (R)

This table shows which Cobham RF synthesizer PXI modules fit only in a standard single slot, and which fit in both
hybrid-compatible and standard slots:

3010, 3011 Standard PXI single-slot

3010, 3011 with Option 02 Hybrid-compatible and standard PXI single-

slot

7

GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction

This is the user manual for the 3010 and 3011 (‘3010 Series’) RF Synthesizer PXI modules. These high-performance
frequency synthesizers:

• cover the frequency range 1.5 GHz to 3.0 GHz with 1 Hz resolution.

• use a single-width 3U module to provide the noise performance and frequency agility of conventional rack

instruments.

• can be used as stand-alone frequency synthesizers, or as core synthesizers providing a local oscillator for the

3020 Series digital RF signal generator or the 3030 Series RF digitizer.

• The 3011 additionally provides a stable common 10 MHz reference to the 3020 and 3030 Series.

Applications

Used with the 3020 Series, the 3010/3011 form an IQ-modulated signal source.

Used with the 3030 Series, the 3010/3011 form an RF digitizer.

High stability frequency reference

The 3010 is supplied for use with either an internal VCXO frequency standard or an external 10 MHz frequency
reference.

The 3011 is a high stability variant, fitted with an OCXO.

Software

The 3010/3011 are supplied with a VXI PNP driver and soft front panel, and a dll, a COM object, and a .net assembly
that provide similar functionality to the driver.

PXI Studio 2, also supplied with the module, configures your PXI modules as logical instruments using an intuitive
and powerful graphical interface. PXI Studio 2 provides comprehensive signal generator, digitizer and spectrum
analyzer applications and optional analysis plugins to suit specific communication systems.

GENERAL INFORMATION

8

Deliverable items

• 3010 or 3011 RF Synthesizer PXI module

• PXI Modules CD-ROM part no. 46886/028, containing soft front panels, drivers, application

software, data sheets, installation guides, safety instructions, getting started and user manuals
for this and other modules in the 3000 Series.

• Test results and calibration certificate CD-ROM part no. 46886/054.

• 3000 Series PXI Modules Safety Instructions: printed item, part no. 46882/882

• SMA connector cable: part no. 43139/738, 2 off

Specifications

For the latest specifications, see the data sheet included on the CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028) or go to the Cobham
website at www.cobham.com/wireless.

All 3010 Series specifications are defined when used in conjunction with the driver software supplied with the
module.

Warm-up time

Allow five minutes for a 3011 module to warm up and meet its specifications fully. A 3010 performs to
specification immediately.