signatec wideband downconverters data sheet · signatec wideband downconverter product solutions...

DynamicSignals LLC 900 North State Street Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA Tel (815) 838-0005 Fax (815) 838-4424 http://www.signatec.com

OVERVIEW Signatec wideband downconverter product solutions feature breakthrough frequency and bandwidth coverage for their size and cost, and are available with three bandwidths covering two frequency ranges:

Model Frequency Coverage

Bandwidth

DC8G10 100 kHz – 8 GHz 10 MHz (35 MHz IF)

DC8G100 100 kHz – 8 GHz 100 MHz (0 Hz IF),

40 MHz / 10 MHz (35 MHz IF)

DC20G100 100 kHz – 20 GHz 100 MHz (0 Hz IF),

40 MHz / 10 MHz (35 MHz IF)

The DC8G10 has a 10 MHz IF bandwidth centered at 35MHz, covers up to 8 GHz, and is primarily directed at digital radio applications. The DC8G100 and DC20G100 cover up to 8 GHz and 20 GHz respectively, both with 100 MHz direct conversion (0 Hz IF) I and Q analog outputs. These wideband versions can be software configured for super heterodyne mode with a single IF output centered at 35 MHz IF and either 40 MHz or 10 MHz bandwidth. These wideband products are engineered for analyzing wideband digital communications - cell phone standards 3G/4G/LTE, WiFi, or general Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) applications involving broadband signals.

FEATURES

100 kHz – 20 GHz Frequency Coverage

3 Selectable IF Bandwidths – 100 MHz, 40 MHz, 10 MHz

Real-Time Data Capture to High-Speed RAID Storage at up to 700 MS/s 14-Bit, 400 MS/s Digitizer Resolution

Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer Program, SpectraScopeRT, No Programming Required

MATLAB Support for Control, Acquisition, and Signal Processing

High Speed Gap-Free PCIe x8 Sustained Streaming to PC Memory at 1.4 GB/s

Anti-Image RF Filter Bank with Low Pass and High Pass Filters Allows over 34 Hours of Real-Time Recording

Multi-Channel Systems with 10 MHz In/Out Synchronization

View and Record Gap-Free Data with No Programming Required

Software SDKs for C and LabVIEW

APPLICATIONS

Military Signal Intelligence (COMINT/SIGINT)

Communications R&D

Wireless Network Testing and Management Wideband Test & Measurement Spectrum Analysis

Government Spectrum Licensing and Monitoring

Wideband Stimulus / Response Testing

RADAR Design and Test Electronic Warfare

Medical Research

Manufacturing Test

Product Information Sheet

Wideband Downconverters With Signatec 14-Bit Digitizers

http://www.signatec.com/


HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

The Downconverter RF front end is a unique architecture, consisting of super-heterodyne and direct conversion technologies. The direct-conversion receiver stage acts as a back-end for all but the directly digitized range of frequencies up to 50 MHz. This approach provides the major benefits of direct conversion receivers, namely wide bandwidth, but extends the frequency range using superheterodyne techniques to provide greater RF coverage. All front end processing blocks utilize input anti-image filters, plus user selectable attenuation to optimize noise figure and spurious free dynamic range. The block diagram for the DC20G100 RF front end is shown below. For manual control, testing and setup of the Ethernet connected Downconverters, programs are provided for network discovery, setting carrier frequency, RF / IF gain, filters, etc.

Frequency domain signal analysis of the Downconverter baseband output signals is done with the DynamicSignals Spectrum Analyzer program, SpectraScopeRT, supporting integrated digitizer and downconverter control, zoom amplitude and frequency display, cursors, and waveform signal storage/printing. The Digitizers and Downconverters have full control and data acquisition support via Mathworks MATLAB, with example programs furnished to facilitate rapid signal processing and modulation analysis program development. Additional software SDK and example programs are available for C and LabVIEW. These solutions greatly extend the digitizers frequency range, and allow those developing applications in Surveillance, Signal Intelligence, Radar, EW, and R&D high performance, lower cost platforms for complex wideband RF and microwave signal analysis.

DC20G100 Block Diagram



HARDWARE DESCRIPTION (Continued)

Operating Bandwidth

Operating Bandwidth Description Operating Bandwidth Figure

100 MHz

In the widest bandwidth mode of operation the downconverter is configured as a direct-conversion receiver. This mode is well suited for applications such as ISM band signal analysis, LTE signal processing and RF data acquisition. Direct conversion receivers require IQ offsets to be corrected in user developed spectrum analysis software. Programming examples are included in the SDK manual.

40 MHz

The downconverters super-heterodyne mode of operation allows for the processing of signals with bandwidths of up to 40 MHz. This mode of operation is best suited for signal demodulation and spectrum analysis. The downconverted signals is centered at 35 MHz.

10 MHz The downconverters has a narrower 10 MHz super-heterodyne mode of operation. The narrower bandwidth filter centered at 35 MHz offers better rejection of adjacent signals.

Application Type and Recommended Bandwidth Settings 100 MHz 40 MHz 10 MHz

Demodulation of wideband signals such as LTE and Wi-Fi in the lab and field ●

Signal demodulation ● ● Signal demodulation of video & audio signals in an interference environment ● Spectrum analysis ● ● Signal demodulation of video & audio signals in an interference environment ● RF measurements of signal amplitude, IP3, etc. ● Detecting weak signals ● Fast, low-latency spectrum scanning ● ●



Portable or Rackmount 20 GHz Wideband Signal Recording Systems Signatec PX14400D2 PCIe Digitizer solutions, with 14-bit resolution and real-time stream to disk support, allow easily configured turnkey signal recording solutions for signals up to 20 GHz. The PX14400D2’s frequency synthesized clock allows for the ADC sampling rate to be set to virtually any value from 20 MHz to 400 MHz, for maximum sampling rate flexibility with 14-bit A/D resolution. The PX14400D2 supports real-time sustained PCIe data streaming at up to 700 MS/s per card, and is fully supported by mouse driven turn-key software featuring signal monitoring while recording. The PX14400D2 also supports a 2nd optional FPGA, with an open programming environment, where user provided programs can perform signal processing operations in real-time before data is stored. Standard FPGA processing features that are furnished for typical applications include DDC, FIR Filter, and FFT. Signatec Digitizers include a complete Windows based Scope Application that provides a virtual oscilloscope and allows the operator to view or edit all digitizer hardware settings as well as record and display acquisition data.

Complete PX14400D2 Signal Recording Systems are furnished fully tested and fully integrated with high-speed real-time data recording RAID storage. These systems are specially designed to maximize the operations and the sustained data streaming transfer rates from Signatec Digitizers to the Embedded PC and Data Storage System (DSS) with either solid state or mechanical based enterprise storage drive arrays. The DSS volume is configured by default as a single Windows NTFS drive volume. As a standard Windows recognized drive volume, all standard Windows operating system access and file operations may be performed on it. Rugged portable systems are typically configured with solid state based drive arrays with support for up to 18 solid state drives (maximum volume of 8.64 TB) that provides up to 1.5 hours of continuous signal data recording at the maximum 14-bit 700 MSPS rate without missing any data. Rackmount systems can be configured with solid state or mechanical based drive arrays with support for up to 48 drives (maximum volume of 192 TB) that provides up to 34 hours of continuous signal data recording at the maximum 14-bit 700 MSPS rate without missing any data.

DC20G100

Downconverter

PX14400D2

14-bit, 400 MSPS Digitizer Portable Sig-Station

18-Drive Signal Data Recorder System

4U Rackmount Sig-Station

48-Drive Signal Data Recorder System



SpectraScopeRT – Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer Software The provided real-time Spectrum Analyzer program, SpectraScopeRT, requires no programming and allows for the control of receiver center frequency and bandwidth, plus digitizer selection and functions. This program also features various X,Y display scale viewing options, multiple cursors, averaging, printing, save/recall of setups, and many other useful features for Spectrum Analyzer type functionality.

SpectraScopeRT Showing:

IQ Time Domain

I Spectrum

IQ Offset Corrected 100 MHz Power Spectrum

SpectraScopeRT Showing: A typical WiFi signal

using peak hold (red trace) in super-heterodyne mode



SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING INFORMATION

Wideband Downconverter Specifications Tuning and Bandwidth Frequency Range : 100 kHz to 20 GHz Tuning Resolution with Analog IF Outputs : 100 kHz Max. Instantaneous Bandwidth : 10 MHz; 40 MHz; 100 MHz; (software selectable) Frequency Reference Internal/External (optional) : 10 MHz Internal 10 MHz Oscillator Stability : +/- 0.5 ppm or +/- 2.5 ppm External Amplitude : 1.5 Vp-p min, 3.3 Vp-p max Phase Coherence : Multichannel synchronization can be achieved either by distributing the 10 MHz reference output from one unit to another in the chain or by distributing a 125 MHz reference generated in a master unit. RF PLL Phase Noise at 2 GHz (using internal 10 MHz reference) Frequency Offset : RF PLL Phase Noise (dBc/Hz) Typical @ 1 kHz : -95 @ 10 kHz : -100 @ 100 kHz : -110 @ 1 MHz : -140 @ 10 MHz : -150 Internal RF PLL Lock Time : < 100 µs Loop Bandwidth : 40 kHz IF Baseband System IF : 0 or 35 MHz IF I & Q Output Frequency Range (to 3dB BW) : 0 to 55 MHz Maximum RF Input Level Max Safe RF Input Level with Attenuation (In) : +10 dBm Max Safe RF Input Level with Attenuation (Out) : -10 dBm Gain Control Max Front-End Gain : 40 dB Front-End Attenuator (software selectable) : 20 dB Pre-Selection Filter Bank with a Combination of Low Pass and High Pass Filters. Front Panel Connectors Antenna Input : SMA-F 10 MHz Reference Clock Input and Output : SMA-F GPIO : 25-pin Male D-Subminiature USB : Mini USB Ethernet : RJ-45 Physical Power Supply : +12 VDC Power Consumption : 18 W Operating Temperature Range : 0°C to 50°C (-4°F to 158°F) Storage Temperature Range : -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F) Enclosure Dimensions : 11.7 (L) x 6.5 (W) x 2.1 (H) inches 29.7 (L) x 16.5 (W) x 5.3 (H) cm Electromagnetic Compatibility This device complies with : FCC Part 15 Emissions Class A, Industry Canada RSS-310, CISPR22, CISPR24, RoHS/RoHS 2, RSS-Gen and ETSI Emissions EN 55022.

Wideband Downconverter Ordering Information

DC8G10 : 100 kHz – 8 GHz Frequency Coverage 10 MHz (35 MHz IF) BW DC8G100 : 100 kHz – 8 GHz Frequency Coverage 100 MHz (I,Q); 40 MHz / 10 MHz (35 MHz IF) BW DC20G100 : 100 kHz – 20 GHz Frequency Coverage 100 MHz (I,Q); 40 MHz / 10 MHz (35 MHz IF) BW

14-Bit Digitizer Specifications & Ordering Information PX14400D2 : Please refer to PX14400D2 product data sheet for full specifications and ordering information details.

Signal Recording System Specifications & Ordering Information Please refer to Sig-Station product catalog for complete range of portable, desktop, and rackmount high-performance PC workstations and data storage system options, specifications and ordering information details.

Product Warranty Downconverter products carry a standard full 1-year warranty. During the warranty period, DynamicSignals will repair or replace any defective product at no cost to the customer. Warranties do not cover customer misuse or abuse of the products.

Notes: Signatec is a product brand of DynamicSignals LLC, an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company. DynamicSignals reserves the right to make changes in this specification at any time without notice. The information furnished herein is believed to be accurate, however no responsibility is assumed for its use.

Data Sheet Revision 1.1 – 07/24/2014 Copyright © 2014 DynamicSignals LLC. All rights reserved


signatec wideband downconverters data sheet · signatec wideband downconverter product solutions...

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