Thurlby Thandar Instruments TGR6000 User Manual

TGR6000

Fast Sweep 6GHz RF Signal Generator

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Table of Contents

Introduction 2 Specification 3 EMC 7 Safety 8 Installation 9 Connections 9

Front Panel Connections 9 Rear Panel Connections 9

Manual Operation 11

General 11 Frequency and Level Setting 13 Step Sweep 13 List Sweep 14 Common Sweep Functions and Attributes 15 Trim 16 Factory Default Settings 17

Utilities 19

Store 19 Recall 19 Edit List Name 19 Set Edit Mode 19 Ref Socket 20 Interfaces 20 Buzzer 20 Power Up Mode 20 Version Info 20 Calibration 20

Remote Interface Oper at ion 21

Address Selection, RS232 Baud Rate and LAN status 21 Remote/Local Operation 21 RS232 Interface 22 USB Interface 23 LAN Interface 23 GPIB Interface 25 Status Reporting 26 Power-on and Remote Operation Default Settings 29

Remote Commands 30

Remote Command Format 30 GPIB Remote Command Format 30 Command List 31

Maintenance 35

Full operating instructions for t his inst rument can also be found in the appropriate pr oduct folder of the accompanying CD-ROM or downloaded from: http://www.tti-test.com/support-tti.htm

Introduction

This fast sweep programmable RF g enerator provides a synthesised low noise output over the frequency range 10MHz to 6000MHz and output level range

The output amplitude and/or f r equency can be swept over the full range of each in a single sweep. The instrument can be set up to perform t wo types of sweep. The fir st s weep type is a Step Sweep in which the start and stop conditions are defined, together with the number of points in the sweep, linear or logarithmic spacing between points, and a dwell time at each point. The other sweep type is a List Sweep in which up to 1000 points are defined in a sweep list, with the frequency, level and dwell time specified for each point. Both t ypes of sweep can be free run or triggered by a Sweep Trigger from a variety of sources; in addition, a Point Trigger can also be defined for each individual step of the sweep. A rear panel SYNC output signal indicates when the output is stable, and can be user-progr am m ed t o be high or low.

The output level can be adjusted to correct for external equipment frequency response using the TRIM function. The TRIM function consists of a user prog r am m able list of up to 100 amplitude adjustment /frequency pairs. When turned on, t he TRIM funct ion adj usts t he output level by an amount linearly interpolated between the frequencies specified in the list. The resultant output level is required to remain within the normal output level limits specified for t he inst r um ent; automatic testing is applied to ensure this and a warning is issued if the desired output violates this requirement.

-110dBm to +7dBm.

The instrument provides non-volatile storage for up to 12 instrument setups and up to 16 sweep lists.

The instrument is remotely controllable via LAN, USB, RS232 or GPIB, all of which are simultaneously available.

<-25dBc@levels <=0dBm 10 – 30MHz

Specification

FREQUENCY

Frequency Range: 10MHz – 6000MHz Setting Resolution: 10Hz Accuracy and Stability: see Reference Frequency Phase Noise: 500MHz Carrier :

<-110dBc/Hz (typ) @ 20kHz offset <-120dBc/Hz (typ) @ 100kHz offset 3GHz Carrier: <-95dBc/Hz (typ) @20kHz offset <-110dBc/Hz (typ) @100kHz offset

6GHz Carrier: <-89dBc/Hz (typ) @ 20kHz offset <-104dBc/Hz (typ) @100kHz offset

Residual FM: 12 Hz @ 500MHz – Equivalent peak deviation in a 300Hz to 3.4kHz

bandwidth.

Switching Speed: <8ms to settle within 100Hz or 0.1ppm of f inal frequency, if greater.

REFERENCE FREQUENCY

Internal Reference Accuracy: <± 1ppm, 15ºC – 30ºC

<± 2ppm, 5ºC – 40ºC Internal Reference Stability: <1ppm/year 10MHz Reference In/Out: Rear panel BNC; can be disabled when not required for input or

output. External Reference IN:

Internal Reference OUT:

10MHz, 50Ω input impedance, 2 – 5Vpp

Automatic detection and selection when external reference sig nal is

present and Reference IN is selected f r om front panel.

Front panel indicator shows when External Reference is active.

10MHz, 50Ω output impedance, >2Vpp into 50Ω

Signal present when Reference OUT is selected from front panel.

OUTPUT LEVEL

Output Level range: –110dBm t o +7dBm Settling Time:

Setting Resolution: 0.1dB, 0. 01uV –1mV Accuracy: ± 2dBm Harmonically Related Signals: <-25dBc @ +7dBm, <-30dBc@levels <=0dBm 30 – 6000MHz

<8ms to settle to within 0.2dB

Sub-harmonically Related Signals:

≤3000MHz : None

>3000MHz :<–40dBc (typ) @ +7dBm.

Non-harmonic Spurii: <–50dBc >10kHz offset 10–3000MHz *

<-44dBc >10kHz offset 3000MHz–6000MHz **

*<-45dBc >10kHz offset 1900–2150MHz **<-39dBc >10kHz offset 3800–4300MHz

Output Impedance:

50Ω Output Connector: Type N Reverse Voltage Protection: 50V DC Output Switch: RF OUT On/Off switch with indication of ON status

FREQUENCY and AMPLITUDE SWEEP Step Sweep

Step frequency and/or amplitude according to a form ula over a specified number of points. Maximum 1000 points.

Formula specifies: Frequency start/stop

Amplitude start/stop Dwell time at each step – programmable 0.01s to 10. 000s

Sweep - continuous or single. Linear or logarithmic step spacing. Sweep up or down. Sweep triggering - manual, external trigger, timed (0.1 – 999.9sec), or via remote interfac e. Step triggering (Point Trigger mode) - manual, external trigger, or via remote interface. Sync signal (‘output stable’) available during dwell time. Programmable to be high or low.

List Sweep

As for Step Sweep except that a user defined list of frequenc y, amplitude and dwell time values defines each sweep point. The list can be created within the instrument or downloaded via the remote interfaces. Current sweep list plus up to 16 stored lists, each a maximum of 1000 points, stored in nonvolatile memory.

TRIG IN Input

DC coupled External Trigger Input signal used to trigger start of sweep and/or step changes when Point Trigger mode is enabled.

Input Threshold: 1.65V nominal. Trigger polarity can be set to Negative Edge or

Input Protection: Maximum/minimum external applied voltage is +6V or –1V.

Positive Edge.

SYNC Output

Rear panel output SYNC signal goes to its active state when generator output f r equency & level have settled within specification after a step change during sweep. SYNC returns to inactive state at end of specified dwell period.

Active Output Level: +5V (Active state set to ‘Pos’) or 0V (Active state set to ‘Neg’) Output Impedance: Output Protection: Output will withstand accidental short circuit to ground and applied

50Ω. Minimum load impedance is also 50Ω.

external voltages up to +5V.

Installation Category II.

Storage Range:

–20°C to + 60°C

User Level Compensation Table (TRIM)

A table of frequency/g ain pairs allows the user to modify the generator output level with respect to frequency to calibrate an entire test set up or improve the calibration of the generator alone. The table can be created within the instrument or downloaded via the remote interfaces.

Maximum 100 points.

INTERFACES

Full digital remote control facilities are available through the RS232, USB, LAN and GPI B interfaces.

RS232: Standard 9-pin D-connector. Variable Baud rat e c an be set between 1200

and 115200 Baud m aximum GPIB: Conforming with IEEE488.1 and IEEE488.2 USB: Standard USB 2.0 hardware connection. Operates as a virtual COM port. LAN: Ether net 100/10base-T hardware connection.

GENERAL

Power: 110-240VAC ±10% 50/60Hz; 100-120VAC ±10% 400Hz; 60VA max.

Display 20 character x 4 row backlit alphanumeric LCD Data Entry: Value ent r y of all major parameters direct by numeric keys, or by rotary

control and up/down keys at selected resolution. Value stepping of frequency and level in user-def ined incr em ents is also

possible using the rotary control and/or up/down keys. Stored Settings: Up to 12 complete set-ups. Up to 16 sweep lists Operating Range: +5°C to +40°C, 20 - 80% RH

Environmental: Indoor use at altitudes up to 2000m, Pollution Degr ee 2. EMC: Complies with EN61326 Safety: Complies with EN61010-1 Size: Weight: 3.65 kg Options: 19-inch rack mounting kit .

86.5mm (2U) height; 213.5m m ( ½−rack) width; 350mm long.

Performance levels achieved are detailed in the user manual.

EC Declaration of Conf ormity

We Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd Glebe Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 7DR England

declare that the

TGR6000 6GHz Synthesised RF Signal Generator

meets the intent of the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. Compliance was demonstrated by conformance to the following specifications which have been listed in the Official Journal of the European Comm unit ies.

EMC

Emissions: a) EN61326-1 (2006) Radiated, Class B

b) EN61326-1 (2006) Conducted, Class B c) EN61326-1 (2006) Har m onics, referring to EN61000-3-2 (2006)

Immunity: EN61326-1 ( 2006) I mmunity Table 1, referring t o:

a) EN61000-4-2 (2009) Electrostatic Discharge b) EN61000-4-3 (2006) Electromagnetic Field c) EN61000-4-11 (2004) Voltage Interrupt d) EN61000-4-4 (2004) Fast Transient e) EN61000-4-5 (2006) Surge f) EN61000-4-6 (2009) Conducted RF

Safety EN61010-1 Installation Category II, Pollution Degree 2.

CHRIS W ILDING TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

2 January 2013

This instrument has been designed to meet the requirements of the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. Compliance was demonstrated by meeting the test limits of t he following standards:

Emissions

EN61326-1 (2006) EMC product standard for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use. Test limits used were:

a) Radiated: Class B b) Conducted: Class B c) Harmonics: EN61000-3-2 (2006) Class A; the instrument is Class A by product cat egory.

Immunity

EN61326-1 (2006) EMC product standard for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use.

Test methods , limits and performance achieved are shown below (requirement shown in brackets):

a) EN61000-4-2 (2009) Electrostatic Discharge : 4kV air, 4kV contact, Performance A (B).

EMC

b) EN61000-4-3 (2006) Electromagnetic Field:

3V/m, 80% AM at 1kHz, 80MHz – 1GHz: Performance A (A) and 1.4GHz to 2GHz: Performance A (A); 1V/m, 2.0GHz to 2.7GHz: Perf or mance A (A).

c) EN61000-4-11 (2004) Voltage Inter r upt: ½ cycle and 1 cycle, 0%: Performance A (B);

25 cycles, 70%: Performance A(C) and 250 cycles, 0%: Performance B (C).

d) EN61000-4-4 (2004) Fast Transient, 1kV peak (AC line only; signal connections <3m,

therefore not tested e) EN61000-4-5 (2006) Surge, 0·5kV (line to line), 1kV (line to ground), Performance A (B). f) EN61000-4-6 (2009) Conducted RF, 3V, 80% AM at 1kHz (AC line on ly; s ignal

connections <3m, therefor e not tested

†

Signal lines were not tested on the basis that typical use will be with connections <3m, for which there is no test requirement. Immunity performance with connections >3m is not guaranteed.

According to EN61326-1 the definitions of performance criteria are:

Performance criterion A: ‘During test normal performance within the specif icat ion limits.’ Performance criterion B: ‘During t est, temporary degradation, or loss of function or

performance which is self-recovering’. Performance criterion C: ‘During t est, temporary degradation, or loss of function or

performance which requires operator int er vention or s ystem r es et occ ur s.’

†

) Performance A (B).

†

), Performance A (A).

Cautions

To ensure continued compliance with the EMC directive observe the following precautions: a) Connect the generator to ot her equipment using only high quality, double-screened cables. b) After opening the case for any reason ensure that all signal and ground connections ar e

remade correctly and that case screws are correc t ly refitted and tightened. c) In the event of part replacement becom ing necessary, only use components of an identical

type, see the Service Manual.

Safety

This instrument is Safety Class I accor ding to IEC classification and has been designed to meet the requirements of EN61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use). It is an Installation Category II instrument intended for operation from a normal single phase supply.

This instrument has been tested in accordance with EN61010-1 and has been supplied in a safe condition. This instruction manual contains some information and warnings which have to be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to r etain the inst r um ent in a safe condition.

This instrument has been designed f or indoor use in a Pollution Degree 2 environment in the temperature range 5°C to 40°C, 20% - 80% RH (non-condensing). It may occasionally be subjected to temperatures between +5°C and –10°C without degradation of its saf et y. Do not operate while condensation is present.

Use of this instrument in a manner not spec ified by these instructions may impair the safety protection provided. Do not operate the instrum ent outside its rat ed supply voltages or environmental range.

WARNING! THIS INSTRUMENT MUST BE EARTHED

Any interruption of the mains earth conduct or inside or outside t he inst r um ent will make the instrument dangerous. Int entional interruption is prohibited. The protective action must not be negated by the use of an extension cord without a protective conductor.

When the instrument is connected to its supply, terminals may be live and opening the covers or removal of parts (except those to which access can be gained by hand) is likely to expose live parts. The apparatus shall be disconnected from all voltage sources before it is opened for any adjustment, replacement, m aint enance or repair.

Any adjustment, maintenance and repair of the opened instrument under voltage shall be avoided as far as possible and, if inevitable, shall be carried out only by a skilled person who is aware of the hazard involved.

If the instrument is clearly def ec t ive, has been subject to mechanical damage, excessive moisture or chemical corrosion the safety protection may be impaired and the apparatus should be withdrawn from use and returned for checking and repair.

Do not wet the instrument when cleaning it and in particular use only a soft dry cloth to clean the LCD window.

The following symbols are used on the instrument and in this m anual:-

Caution - refer to the accompanying documentation, incorrect operation may damage the instr um ent.

terminal connected to chassis ground. mains supply OFF.

mains supply ON. alternating current.

50VDC and reverse power of up to 25 Watts from 50 Ω.

Mains Operating Voltage

This instrument has a universal input range and will operate fr om a nominal 115V or 230V mains supply without adjustment. Check that the local supply meets the AC input requirement given in the Specification.

Mains Lead

Connect the instrument to the AC supply using the mains lead provided. Should a mains plug be required for a different mains outlet socket, a suitably rated and approved mains lead set should be used which is fitted with the required wall plug and an IEC60320 C13 connector for the instrument end. To determine the minimum current rating of the lead-set for the intended AC supply, r efer to the power rating inform ation on the equipment or in the Specification.

WARNING! THIS INSTRUMENT MUST BE EARTHED.

Any interruption of the mains earth conduc t or inside or outside the inst rument will make the instrument dangerous. Int entional interruption is prohibited.

Mounting

Installation

This instrument is suitable both for bench use and rack mounting. For rack mounting the instrument can be fitted beside anot her standar d 2U half-rack instrument in a 19” r ac k; a suitable 2U 19” rack kit is available from the Manufac t ur er s or t heir overseas agents.

Ventilation

The generator uses a small f an fitted to the rear panel. Tak e c ar e not to restrict the rear air e xit or the inlet vents underneath. In rack-m ount ed s it uat ions allow adequate space around t he instrument and/or use a fan t r ay for forced cooling.

Front Panel Connec tions

RF OUT

This is the 50Ω generator output. The maximum output is 500mVrms (+7dBm) into 50Ω. It can tolerate a short circuit indefinitely.

The Type N connector is a precision component that should be protect ed from excessive wear to ensure that its RF characteristics (impedance and VSWR) are accurately maintained. If the instrument is used in a manner that demands m any connections/disconnections to and from the RF OUT it is good practice to fit a male–to–fem ale adapt or t o the socket which can be replaced periodically.

Connections

Do not apply an external voltage to this output. Protected against ac cidental connection of up to

Rear Panel Connections

EXTERNAL REFERENCE IN/OUT

Can be set to be the External Reference In (10MHz, 2V to 5Vpp, 50Ω), Internal Reference Out (10MHz, 4Vpp from 50Ω) or OFF.

Do not apply external voltages exceeding ± 10Vpp to this input/output.

and application of up to +5V.

Pin Name

Description

RXD

Received data to instrument

TRIG IN

DC coupled External Trigger Input signal used to trigger start of sweep and/or step changes when Point Trigger mode is enabled. Nominal threshold 1.65V. Trigger polarity can be set to Positive or Negative edge.

Do not apply external voltages to this input exceeding +6v or –1V.

SYNC OUT

SYNC OUT signal goes to its active state when generator output has settled aft er a step change during Sweep. Active state can be set to Positive (+5V from 50Ω) or Negative (0V).

Do not apply an external voltage to this output. Protected against ac cidental short cir cuit to 0V

RS232

9−pin female D−connector with pin connections as shown below. Can be connected to a standard PC port using a fully wired 1:1 male-female cable without any cross-over connections.

1 RI 2 TXD Transmitted data from instrument

Passively asserted (+V through 10kΩ)

USB

LAN

4 CTS 5 GND Signal ground 6 RTS 7 DSR No internal connection 8 DTR 9 CD No internal connection

Signal ground is connected to instrument ground. Baud rate 1200 to 115200.

The USB port is connected to instrument ground. It conforms with USB 2.0 (Full Speed) and accepts a standard USB cable. The Windows plug-and-play funct ions should aut om at ically recognise that the instrument has been c onnected. If the correct dr iver is not found, follow the Windows on-screen prompts and install the required files from the CD supplied.

Remote control using the LAN interf ace is poss ible using a TCP/IP Socket protocol. Since it is possible to misconfigure the LAN interface, making it impossible to comm unicate with the instrument over LAN, a LAN Configuration I nitialise (LCI ) m ec hanism is pr ovided via a recessed switch on the rear panel (marked LAN RESET) to reset t he unit to the factory default.

Note that the LAN interface meets the es sential requirements of LXI ( Lan eX t ens ions for Instrumentation) version 1.2, Class C, but is not fully compliant because it does not, for example, contain a Web server. Instead, LAN configuration is only provided via a front panel menu.

Passively asserted (+V through 10kΩ)

Further details are given in the Remote Operation chapter.

GPIB

The GPIB signal grounds are connect ed to the instrument ground. The implemented subsets ar e:

The GPIB address is set fr om t he front panel.

SH1 AH1 T6 TE0 L4 LE0 SR1 RL2 PP1 DC1 DT0 C0 E2

◊

General

This section is a general introduction to t he oper at ion of the generator, intended to be read before using the instrument for the first time.

In this manual names of connectors and front panel keys are show in capitals, e.g. RF OUT, UTILITIES; all soft-key labels, entry fields and messages displayed on the LCD are shown in a different type-font, e.g. Level Trim, Run Sweep.

Switching On

The power switch is located at the bottom left of the front panel. To f ully disconnect from the AC supply unplug the mains cord from the back of the instrument or switch off at the AC supply outlet; make sure that the means of disconnection is readily accessible. Disconnect from t he AC supply when not in use.

At switch on communication is established between internal modules and the individual modules’ firmware versions are displayed as the process proceeds. This infor mation is available subsequently as Version Info , accessed via the Utilities menu.

During power up, calibration information is check ed. If an error in the calibration data is detected a message is displayed and the calibration is automatically set to default values.

All operating settings, except RF OUT on/off and Sweep Run/Stop status, are saved in flash memory at power off and re-instated at power up. The factor y def ault is for RF OUT to be ‘always off’ at power up but, alternatively, it can be set to be ‘always on’ or ‘same as at last power off’, see the Utilities section. Sweep is always stopped at power up. Data integrity of the settings is checked at power up and if an error is f ound t he s et t ings are set to default values.

Keyboard Principles

The keyboard consists of a number of hard keys and eight soft-k eys arr anged as two groups of four, one on each side of the display.

Manual Operation

The hard keys can be categorized as menu access keys and value editing keys in addition to the manual trigger TRIG key and the RF OUT on/off key.

Beneath the display are the menu access keys. The UTILITIES key directly accesses the Utilities Menu, the Sweep SETUP key directly accesses the Sweep Setup Menu and the FREQ and LEVEL keys both access the Main menu, which shows the basic output parameters with the edit cursor moved directly to frequency or level as selected.

The TRIG key provides a manual trigger for use in sweep modes. The RF OUT on/off key switches the output on and off with alternat e pr ess es; the front panel ON

indicator is lit when the output is on. Value editing keys consist of a numeric key-pad, up & down (▲ & ▼) and left & right (◄ & ►

arrow keys and a BACK/Escape key. The ▲ & ▼ arrow keys are for value increment/decrement

and selection scrolling, the ◄ & ► within parameter values. The BACK/Escape key acts both as a cancel key to abort numeric or text entries and as a major means of navigat ing within the menu structure, retur ning always to the next higher menu level.

The knob performs the same function as the ▲ & ▼ arrow keys except when the output

frequency and level editing mode is set to Step Only or Step+Scroll on t he BASIC FREQUENCY AND LEVEL SETTING MODE menu. See Editing Numeric Values section for

further details. The eight soft-keys are select ively active depending on the curr ent m enu. One of four possible

icons next to the keys indicates the key function and which are active. An open diamond indicates that the adjacent field is not selected and that one of a number of actions will result from pressing the key, depending on t he c ont ext.

arrow keys are for left and right movement of the edit cursor

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