Pulse-to-Pulse RADAR Stability Test Set PN9002 User's Manual

Pulse-to-Pulse RADAR
Stability Test Set

PN9002

Users Manual

USERS MANUAL - PN9002
Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 General Information...................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Presentation .................................................................................................................. 7
1.2 Hardware Description................................................................................................... 7
1.3 Measurement Principle................................................................................................. 8

Section 2 Main Functions of the System...................................................................................... 9
2.1 Presentation ................................................................................................................ 10
2.2 The Pattern Generator Board...................................................................................... 10
2.3 The Low Noise Synthesizer........................................................................................ 10
2.4 The Pulse Modulator .................................................................................................. 10
2.5 The Phase Shifter module........................................................................................... 10
2.6 The Phase Detector ..................................................................................................... 11
2.7 The Video Shifter module .......................................................................................... 11
2.8 The Low Noise Amplifier........................................................................................... 11
2.9 The GPIB Board ......................................................................................................... 11
2.10 The Digitizing Board.................................................................................................. 11

Section 3 The Software............................................................................................................... 12
3.1 Main Menu ................................................................................................................. 13
3.1.1 General Presentation........................................................................................... 13
3.1.2 The Top Bar Menu ............................................................................................. 13
3.1.2.1 File Menu........................................................................................................... 13
3.1.2.2 The Parameters Menu........................................................................................ 14
3.1.2.3 The Display Menu ............................................................................................. 15
3.1.2.4 The Calibration Menu........................................................................................ 15
3.1.2.5 The Help Menu.................................................................................................. 16
3.1.3 The Display Functions........................................................................................ 16
3.1.3.1 Nb of Pulses Function.................................................................................... 17
3.1.3.2 Custom Function X.Zoom Function........................................................... 17
3.1.3.3 X.Zoom Function........................................................................................... 17
3.1.3.4 Y.Zoom Function........................................................................................... 18
3.1.3.5 Pulse Nb Function.......................................................................................... 18
3.1.3.6 Burst Selection Function................................................................................ 19
3.1.3.7 Delta Marker Function................................................................................... 20
3.1.3.8 Zero Reducing Function................................................................................. 20
3.1.3.9 Intra-Pulse Display Function ......................................................................... 21
3.2 The Temporary Windows........................................................................................... 22
3.2.1 Save Config&Plots Window .............................................................................. 22
3.2.2 Save Data Window............................................................................................. 23
3.2.3 Print Window...................................................................................................... 23
3.2.4 Pattern Type Window......................................................................................... 24
3.2.5 Digitizer Configuration Window........................................................................ 26
3.2.6 Software Window............................................................................................... 26
3.2.7 The Pulse Generator ........................................................................................... 27
3.2.8 The Internal PN9100 Synthesizer....................................................................... 27
3.2.9 The Automatic Phase Shifter .............................................................................. 28
Page 2

3.2.10 Display Windows ............................................................................................... 28
3.2.11 Displaying Mode Window.................................................................................. 29
3.2.12 GPIB Configuration Window............................................................................. 30
3.2.13 PN9002 Calibration Window ............................................................................. 30
3.2.14 PDA Utility Window.......................................................................................... 30
3.2.15 Help Windows .................................................................................................... 31

Section 4 Section 4 The Measurement Method.......................................................................... 34
4.1 General points............................................................................................................. 35
4.2 Necessary Signals ....................................................................................................... 35
4.3 How to Use the Software............................................................................................ 35
4.3.1 Development Configuration ............................................................................... 36
4.3.1.1 Step 1: Enter the measurement parameters........................................................ 36
4.3.1.2 Step 2: Cursors Adjustment ............................................................................... 36
4.3.1.3 Step 3: The adjustment of the reference level ................................................... 37
4.3.1.4 Step 4: AM/PM Adjustment .............................................................................. 38
4.3.1.5 Step 5: The Measurement .................................................................................. 41
4.3.1.6 Results: Cancellation ......................................................................................... 41
4.3.1.7 Results: Stability................................................................................................ 43
4.3.1.8 Results: AM+PM............................................................................................... 44
4.3.2 Acceptance Configuration .................................................................................. 45
4.3.2.1 Step 1: Enter the parameters and set up the cursors ........................................... 45
4.3.2.2 Step 2: Calibration of the phase detector........................................................... 45
4.3.2.3 Step 3: AM Adjustment ..................................................................................... 45
4.3.2.4 Step 4: AM Measurement.................................................................................. 46
4.3.2.5 Step 5: PM Adjustment...................................................................................... 46
4.3.2.6 Step 6: PM Measurement .................................................................................. 47
4.3.3 Stagger and Sequence Mode............................................................................... 48
4.3.3.1 Definitions ......................................................................................................... 48
4.3.3.2 Pattern description ............................................................................................. 48
4.3.3.3 Verification of the pattern.................................................................................. 48
4.3.3.4 Process applied on Stagger /Sequence pattern................................................... 49
4.3.3.5 Number of pulses in a Sequence pattern ........................................................... 49
4.3.3.6 Sequence measurement...................................................................................... 50
4.3.4 Pulse-to-Pulse Residue Process .......................................................................... 51
4.3.4.1 Description of the method ................................................................................. 51
4.3.4.2 The different steps of the process ...................................................................... 52
4.3.4.3 The pulse-to-pulse residue plots ........................................................................ 54
4.3.5 Automatic Mode................................................................................................. 55
4.3.6 Exit...................................................................................................................... 57

Section 5 Section 5 Appendixes ................................................................................................. 58
PN9002 Specifications ........................................................................................................... 59
Internal PN9100 Synthesizer : Residual Noise....................................................................... 61
Phase Noise......................................................................................................................... 61
Amplitude Noise................................................................................................................. 61
Interface document ................................................................................................................. 62
PN9002 Analysis .................................................................................................................... 63
FFT Analysis applied in the software..................................................................................... 64
Definitions .......................................................................................................................... 64
Page 3

Cancellation computation: .................................................................................................. 64
Stability Computation......................................................................................................... 65
Temporal Analysis applied in the software ............................................................................ 66
Standard Deviation Method................................................................................................ 66
RMS Method ...................................................................................................................... 67

Page 4

TABLE OF PICTURES

Picture 1.1 : PN9002 Chassis ....................................................................................................7
Picture 1.2 : Synoptic.................................................................................................................8

Picture 3.1 : Main Screen ........................................................................................................13
Picture 3.2 : File Menu ............................................................................................................14
Picture 3.3 : Parameters Menu................................................................................................. 14
Picture 3.4 : Display Menu......................................................................................................15
Picture 3.5 : Calibration Menu ................................................................................................15
Picture 3.6 : Help Menu...........................................................................................................16
Picture 3.7 : Auto scale ON.....................................................................................................16
Picture 3.8 : Auto scale OFF ...................................................................................................17
Picture 3.9 : Zoom Menu.........................................................................................................18
Picture 3.10 : Pulse Number Menu.......................................................................................... 18
Picture 3.11 : 1
st
Pulse of the 10
th
Burst .................................................................................. 19
Picture 3.12 : 1
st
Pulse of the 10 Bursts................................................................................... 19
Picture 3.13 : Marker Delta function ................................................................................... 20
Picture 3.14 : Zero Reducing function OFF.........................................................................20
Picture 3.15 : Zero Reducing function ON..........................................................................21
Picture 3.16 : Intra-Pulse vs. Time Display............................................................................. 21
Picture 3.17 : Intra-Pulse vs. Samples Display........................................................................22
Picture 3.18 : Select File Window........................................................................................ 22
Picture 3.19 : Save Data Window............................................................................................23
Picture 3.20 : Print Window.................................................................................................... 23
Picture 3.21 : Print Preview Window......................................................................................23
Picture 3.22 : Pattern Type Window Normal Mode.............................................................24
Picture 3.23 : Pattern type Window Sequence/Stagger Mode.............................................. 24
Picture 3.24 : Staggering Mode Window ................................................................................25
Picture 3.25 : Results Window................................................................................................25
Picture 3.26 : Digitizer Configuration Window ......................................................................26
Picture 3.27 : Software Window.............................................................................................. 26
Picture 3.28 : Software Window Stagger Mode...................................................................26
Picture 3.29 : Pulse Generator Window ..................................................................................27
Picture 3.30 : Time Base Warm Up Window.......................................................................... 27
Picture 3.31 : PN9100 Synthesizer Window........................................................................... 28
Picture 3.32 : Programmable Phase Shifter Window.............................................................. 28
Picture 3.33 : Display Windows .............................................................................................. 29
Picture 3.34 : Displaying Mode Window................................................................................29
Picture 3.35 : GPIB Configuration Window ........................................................................... 30
Picture 3.36 : PN9002 Calibration Window............................................................................ 30
Picture 3.37 : PDA Utility Window.........................................................................................31
Picture 3.38 : About PN9002 Window....................................................................................31
Picture 3.39 : Synoptic Window.............................................................................................. 31
Picture 3.40 : Connecting Representation Window - Front..................................................... 32
Picture 3.41 : Connecting Representation Window - Rear...................................................... 32
Picture 3.42 : Users Manual Window .................................................................................... 33

Page 5

Picture 4.1 : Main Screen ........................................................................................................ 36
Picture 4.2 : Samples and Interpolation Representation..........................................................37
Picture 4.3 : 0dB Ref Window Manual Mode...................................................................... 37
Picture 4.4 : 0dB Ref Window Automatic Mode .................................................................38
Picture 4.5 : AM/PM Adjustment Window............................................................................. 39
Picture 4.6 : 0V Adjustment AM Measurement ................................................................... 39
Picture 4.7 : 0V Adjustment PM Measurement.................................................................... 40
Picture 4.8 : Demodulation Menu............................................................................................ 41
Picture 4.9 : Cancellation computation for only one burst ...................................................... 42
Picture 4.10 : Cancellation computation for a set of bursts..................................................... 42
Picture 4.11 : Cancellation Window........................................................................................43
Picture 4.12 : Stability Window .............................................................................................. 44
Picture 4.13 : AM+Phase Access ............................................................................................ 44
Picture 4.14 : Acceptance Mode..............................................................................................45
Picture 4.15 : AM Adjustment Acceptance Mode................................................................ 46
Picture 4.16 : PM Adjustment Acceptance Mode ................................................................ 46
Picture 4.17 : Acceptance Report ............................................................................................47
Picture 4.18 : Sequence/ Stagger Pattern Window..................................................................48
Picture 4.19 : Pattern Generator Programming Window.........................................................48
Picture 4.20 : Warning Message..............................................................................................49
Picture 4.21 : Results Window................................................................................................ 49
Picture 4.22 : Processing Parameters Window........................................................................50
Picture 4.23 : Sequence Measurement..................................................................................... 51
Picture 4.24 : Sequence Cursors Adjustment Window............................................................ 51
Picture 4.25 : Pattern Programming ........................................................................................52
Picture 4.26 : Display Mode.................................................................................................... 53
Picture 4.27 : Intra-Pulse Display vs. Time............................................................................. 53
Picture 4.28 : Intra-Pulse Display vs. samples ........................................................................ 54
Picture 4.29 : Reference Pulse Selector................................................................................... 54
Picture 4.30 : Pulse-to-Pulse Residue vs. Time.......................................................................55
Picture 4.31 : Pulse-to-Pulse Residue vs. samples ..................................................................55
Picture 4.32 : PN9002 Automatic Wizard............................................................................... 56
Picture 4.33 : Cursors Position Window ................................................................................. 56
Picture 4.34 : Select Measure Window................................................................................ 57
Picture 4.35 : PN9002 Wizard Set Measure...................................................................... 57

Page 6

Section 1
General Information
Page 7

1.1 Presentation

This application note presents the main features of the PN9002 measurement test
system and explains how to use it.

Picture 1.1 : PN9002 Chassis

1.2 Hardware Description

The PN9002 system includes:

- An Generator rack equipped with :
. an internal low noise synthesizer with its doublers and its Time base.
. a pulse modulator.

- An Analyzer rack equipped with the following modules :
. a microwave phase demodulator.
. a low noise amplifier.
. a video shifter module which enables to add a DC offset on the video
signal.
. an added phase noise module.

- A programmable phase shifter.

- A computer including :
. a digitizing board (60MHz-12 bits).
. a GPIB board.
. a pattern generator board.
Page 8

- An integrated software with :
. windows version.
. time analysis.
. data processing: cancellation and stability pulse to pulse, phase drift
intra-pulse (see in Appendix: PN9002 Analysis).
. results display: curves, acceptance report, ASCII data files, printing and
saving files.

1.3 Measurement Principle

Picture 1.2 : Synoptic

This method quantifies the amount of noise added to a signal as it passes through a DUT
(Device Under Test).

A residual test (DUT bypassed) is determined by dividing a signal with a power splitter
and phase shifting on path by 0 or 90, both signals (RF and LO) enter the mixer in phase or in
quadrature with the correlated Amplitude or phase fluctuations. Then the measured noise is
only generated by the test set itself as long as the delay difference of the signal paths is
minimized in order to reject the source noise.

In case of Added Noise measurements, the DUT is inserted in the RF path, so that the measured
noise is the sum of the residual noise (DUT bypassed) and the added noise of the DUT. This
measurement is performed under pulsed conditions.

Page 9

Section 2
Main Functions of the System
Page 10

2.1 Presentation

The PN9002 system is composed of three parts:
- a computer which runs the PN9002 software and contains the digitizing and
pattern generator boards.
- a generator rack which provides the pulsed signal. Therefore, the PN9002 is
a stand-alone system.
- a modular chassis including all the modules needed to perform the added
noise measurement under pulsed conditions.

2.2 The Pattern Generator Board

This board, integrated in the computer, provides a pattern which modulates the
RF signal. The Clock signal necessary for the synchronization of the Generation with
the Acquisition and the Trigger signal are generated by this board too.

2.3 The Low Noise Synthesizer

The synthesizer equipped with its time base and its doublers allows to cover a
2MHz to 18GHz range. It is low amplitude and phase noise (see noise plots in appendix
p.47 : Internal PN9100 Synthesizer : Residual Noise).

2.4 The Pulse Modulator

This module receives the RF signal (Input level: 3dBm, CW) and the radar
pattern. The latter modulates the CW signal by means of an internal modulator.

2.5 The Phase Shifter module

This module aims at performing the general principle of the added noise
measurement method. It contains an input and two outputs. In fact, the pulsed hyper-
frequency signal is divided in two paths. On the LO path, a mechanical phase shifter is
connected, which allows to adjust signals either in quadrature or in phase on the mixer
inputs. In option, a programmable phase shifter can be added in series with the
mechanical one, in order to perform automatic measurements.
The TO LO output loads the reference input of the phase detector, the second output
(TO DUT) loads the DUT.
The power level of these output signals is +13dBm.

Page 11

2.6 The Phase Detector

The microwave double-balanced mixer demodulates the phase noise of both the
RF and LO signals which are maintained in quadrature by the phase shifter.
The power range of the microwave mixer is:
- LO input: 7dBm min.
- RF input : 0dBm nom. (2dBm max)
The output (Video Out) of the phase detector is connected to the Video Shifter
module and comes back by the Video In input.

2.7 The Video Shifter module

This module allows shifting the video signal with The DC voltage which comes
from the Lock Control. The DC voltage range applicable is: from 10V to +10V.

2.8 The Low Noise Amplifier

The output of the phase detector is amplified by these low noise amplifiers.
During the 0dB Adjustment, the initial gain is 10dB, and is switched on 30 or 40 dB
during the measurement in order to use the maximal dynamic range.
The Aux. Monitor output is connected to the digitizing board (Channel 1).

2.9 The GPIB Board

This interface enables the software to control the modules.

2.10 The Digitizing Board

It digitizes the signal coming from the LNA module on the Channel 1, with the
Clock frequency signal provided by the pattern generator board. The trigger generated
by this board makes the measurement start.

Page 12

Section 3
The Software

Page 13

3.1 Main Menu

3.1.1 General Presentation

The main screen is displayed after the loading of the software. It shows the time
domain, the top bar menu, some indicators and five buttons (see Picture 3.1). The name
of the software and the working mode are mentioned on the top of the screen. The
different menus can be selected in the top bar menu.
The buttons start each step of the measurement process. Some indicators display details
about the measurements like: demodulation factors (K, Ka), W frequency, gain,
pattern type and process applied.

Picture 3.1 : Main Screen

3.1.2 The Top Bar Menu

3.1.2.1 File Menu
(see Picture 3.2)

This menu enables the user to:
- open an existent file.
- save plots and configurations.
- set the printer up.
- print the plots.
- reset the system.
- exit.

Page 14

Picture 3.2 : File Menu

3.1.2.2 The Parameters Menu
(see Picture 3.3)

The measurement parameters are set up in these menus. They are:
- the characteristics of the signal to be analyzed.
- the digitizing board parameters.
- the software options.
- the control of the internal pulse generator, the internal W synthesizer
and the programmable phase shifter.

Picture 3.3 : Parameters Menu

Page 15

3.1.2.3 The Display Menu
(see Picture 3.4)

This menu opens the windows which displays the different plots:
- the intra-pulse phase drift.
- the pulse-to-pulse cancellation.
- The pulse-to-pulse stability.

Picture 3.4 : Display Menu

3.1.2.4 The Calibration Menu
(see Picture 3.5)

This menu provides an access to the calibration parameters, the digitizing
board parameters.

Picture 3.5 : Calibration Menu
Page 16

3.1.2.5 The Help Menu
(see Picture 3.6)

This menu gives access to the synoptic and the different power levels to apply, a
connecting representation and this users manual.

Picture 3.6 : Help Menu

3.1.3 The Display Functions

When loaded, the software displays the Auto scale function: ON (see Picture
3.7). The time domain shows the whole burst (which corresponds to the number of
pulses defined in the Pattern type Menu).
This function can be switched off by clicking on the Auto scale radio button. Then
some display options are proposed in a scroll menu (see Picture 3.8).

Picture 3.7 : Auto scale ON
Page 17

Picture 3.8 : Auto scale OFF

3.1.3.1 Nb of Pulses Function

When operating in this mode, only the number of pulses indicated in the Nb of
Pulses indicator (located just on the left of the Options scroll menu) is displayed on the
plot. To change the number of pulses, the operator has just to enter this number with the
numeric keys in the indicator.

3.1.3.2 Custom Function X.Zoom Function

This function lets appear, in the bottom right corner of the screen, an options
pallet where is located a lens corresponding to the zoom options (see Picture 3.9).
Others options exist on this pallet:
- the Hand allows translating the plot.
- the + function allows to move the cursors on the plot.
With this function, the plot and the cursor of the zoom pallet stay in their last status. So
to be able to move the cursors, select the + function before going out of this pallet.

3.1.3.3 X.Zoom Function

This function is nearly the same as the previous one, but it is set up to enable to
zoom only on the X scale (Y scale is fixed).

Page 18

Picture 3.9 : Zoom Menu

3.1.3.4 Y.Zoom Function

This function is nearly the same as the previous one, but it is set up to enable to
zoom only on the Y scale (X scale is fixed).

3.1.3.5 Pulse Nb Function

Thanks to this option, a new scroll menu appears: Pulse Nb on the left hand
side and replaces the Nb of Pulses indicator. It shows the pulse list (see Picture 3.10).
The user can choose among the list of pulses to be displayed on the screen. This will
enable the user to have a look at the pulses successively.

Picture 3.10 : Pulse Number Menu
Page 19

3.1.3.6 Burst Selection Function

The Burst Number menu, located on the left bottom size of the window,
allows displaying the bursts one by one (see Picture 3.11) or all together (see Picture
3.12).
In the following examples, the 1
st
pulse of the 10
th
burst is displayed on the 3.11 picture;
and the 1
st
pulses of the 10 bursts are all displayed on the picture 3.12.

Picture 3.11 : 1
st
Pulse of the 10
th
Burst

Picture 3.12 : 1
st
Pulse of the 10 Bursts

Page 20

3.1.3.7 Delta Marker Function

After selecting the Marker Delta button, the user can place two markers on the
curve and read theirs X, Y current coordinates. The Dx and Dy gap between the two
markers are indicated in the Marker Delta window (see Picture 3.13).

Picture 3.13 : Marker Delta function

3.1.3.8 Zero Reducing Function

This function, located in the displaying mode window (3.2.11 Displaying Mode
Window) enables to reduce the number of plots displayed on the curve. It aims at
improving the velocity of the data processing. Automatically the software calculates a
minimal margin on both sides of each pulse and deletes the other zeros located between
themselves (see Pictures 3.14, 3.15).
It is advised to let this function ON in order not to saturate the computer memory
with useless data, especially for the analysis of long bursts.

Picture 3.14 : Zero Reducing function OFF
Page 21

Picture 3.15 : Zero Reducing function ON

3.1.3.9 Intra-Pulse Display Function

In the time domain window, it is possible to see either the entire burst or only the
intra-pulse data. The user makes this choice in the Mode Displaying window
described in the 3.2.11 section. The intra-pulse plot can be displayed vs. Time or
samples (see Pictures 3.16 and 3.17). In this configuration, the Burst Number scroll
menu (located on the bottom left side of the window) allows viewing the bursts one by
one or all together.

Picture 3.16 : Intra-Pulse vs. Time Display
Page 22

Picture 3.17 : Intra-Pulse vs. Samples Display

3.2 The Temporary Windows

Some options of the main menu open temporary windows. They are detailed in
this paragraph.

3.2.1 Save Config&Plots Window

Thanks to this option, the user can save the plots and all the measurement parameters:
pattern characteristics, processing options and so on. When choosing, the target window
appears, select a file and click Save.
The measurement configuration is saved in *.9002 format. This configuration will be
opened with the Open menu.

Picture 3.18 : Select File Window
Page 23

3.2.2 Save Data Window

Picture 3.19 : Save Data Window

The user can choose to save either the
data (expressed in Volts) coming directly from
the acquisition, the samples (in degrees or
%AM), the stability results (in dBc, %AM or
mdeg), or the pulse-to-pulse residue. These
data are saved in *.txt format.

3.2.3 Print Window

Picture 3.20 : Print Window

In this window, a scroll menu enables
to choose the display to print. After selecting,
a print preview appears; the user can select to
show or hide confidential parameters and
replace theirs by comments (see Picture 3.21).
Then it is possible to print the page or save a
picture of this page in .jpeg format.

Picture 3.21 : Print Preview Window
Page 24
3.2.4 Pattern Type Window

Picture 3.22 : Pattern Type Window
Normal Mode

This window enables to set up the
parameters of the pulsed signal to be analyzed:
the initial delay, the period, the pulse width,
the number of pulses in a burst. The minus
numbers of samples per pulse and the
microwave frequency are entered. When
selecting Average, the user can choose to
analyze many bursts and work out the average
of the latter.

There are two different ways to set up
these parameters depending on the pattern
type: normal, Sequence or stagger.

Picture 3.23 : Pattern type Window
Sequence/Stagger Mode

For the Stagger/ Sequence mode, a
Setup button appears (see Picture 3.23).
The user has to click this button to open
the Setup window where each pulse of
the burst can be defined. More details are
given on the Stagger/Sequence
measurement in the 4.3.3 part: 4.3.3
Stagger and Sequence Mode.

Page 25
The user has just to enter the width and the delay of each pulse, the described
pattern is displayed on the graph in real time (see Picture 3.24).

Picture 3.24 : Staggering Mode Window

Clicking OK closes this window and opens a new one: the Results window
(see Picture 3.25). It indicates the different pulse width of the burst, the number of
pulses with the same width and each PRF. Click OK to return on the Pattern type
window.

Picture 3.25 : Results Window

If the test bench is equipped with a Pulse Gen. Modulator module, it is
necessary to click Set Pulse Gen in order to program the module with the pattern
previously defined. Then the pattern is completely set up, clicking OK close this
window.

Page 26
3.2.5 Digitizer Configuration Window

Picture 3.26 : Digitizer Configuration
Window

The setup of the digitizer has to be
done in this window. The user will define
the clock signal (internal or external), its
frequency, and the trigger signal (internal
or external). The clock frequency cant be
higher than 60MHz.

3.2.6 Software Window

This window aims at defining the analysis method and the signal processing
parameters. The user chooses the working mode:
- development or acceptance (both are detailed in the next section).

He has to determine the data processing too:
- the FFT window ( for Normal and Sequence Mode) (see Picture 3.27)
- the Temporal Analysis (for Stagger Mode) (see Picture 3.28)
- the interpolation type to apply at the intra-pulse phase drift.
- the numeric Bessel filter and its cutoff frequency.
- the skipped filters for the Pulse-to-Pulse Stability processing.
- the Averaging Samples process which allows to compute an average on
the samples.

Picture 3.27 : Software Window

Picture 3.28 : Software Window
Stagger Mode


Page 27
3.2.7 The Pulse Generator

The generator integrated in the computer allows programming different pulsed
patterns: regular or Stagger/Sequence type. The user has just to choose this type and to
define the width and delay of each pulse of the burst. The burst defined is displayed in
real time on the plot (see Picture 3.29).

Remark: This set up can be made directly by clicking on the Set Pulse Gen. button
in the Pattern type window.

Picture 3.29 : Pulse Generator Window

3.2.8 The Internal PN9100 Synthesizer

The test bench can be equipped with an internal low noise synthesizer in order
to provide the RF signal. The time base of this synthesizer needs a warm up time to be
locked. So, when launching the software, a Warm Up window appears (see Picture
3.30), the user has to wait for the end of this process, click Lock, and then he can
program the synthesizer.

Picture 3.30 : Time Base Warm Up Window

Page 28
Select the Synthe.9100 menu, the following window appears. Click in the
Frequency indicator, and enter the working frequency in MHz. If the synthesizer is
not locked (the Led located on the Time Base module is not lighted), click on the
Lock button to lock on the synthesizer. And then click OK to exit.

Picture 3.31 : PN9100 Synthesizer Window

3.2.9 The Automatic Phase Shifter

In automatic mode, the process uses a programmable phase shifter. This latter
can be driven manually by means of the following window. Click on the indicator to
increase or decrease the phase shift. The phase shift range is from 0 to 625ps.

Picture 3.32 : Programmable Phase Shifter Window

3.2.10 Display Windows

- The main window contains the time domain display, the different scroll
menus described previously, the buttons used to run measurements and
processes and all the indicators (Frequency, demodulation factor, analysis
mode, ).

- The first window, located on the top right side of the screen, shows the
signal between the start and the stop cursors. The scroll menu allows
showing the fast variations around the monotonous drift (described by the
interpolation).

- The cancellation window displays the FFT results.

- In the last window, the stability is displayed. A scroll menu allows
changing the unit of the pulse-to-pulse stability.

Page 29

Picture 3.33 : Display Windows

3.2.11 Displaying Mode Window

This windows aims at defining the time domain display: either the complete
burst or only the intra-pulse view. When choosing Intra-pulse Mode, the user can
select the X-axis data (samples or time), and define specification lines.

Picture 3.34 : Displaying Mode Window

Page 30
3.2.12 GPIB Configuration Window

Picture 3.35 : GPIB Configuration
Window

This window allows changing the
GPIB addresses of the two racks and the
programmable phase shifter. If the user
changes one of these addresses, he must
change the hardware setting too.

3.2.13 PN9002 Calibration Window

Picture 3.36 : PN9002 Calibration
Window

This window provides the
information regarding the calibration
parameters of the system, such as the serial
number, the latest date of calibration, and
specific calibration factors: gain, attenuation
and so on. The user can get this window
through the calibration menu.

3.2.14 PDA Utility Window

This window gives details about the configuration of the digitizing board and
enables to check its good working.

Remark: It is strongly recommended not to change the parameters of the
digitizing board.

Page 31

Picture 3.37 : PDA Utility Window

3.2.15 Help Windows

These windows allow to consult a simplified synoptic equipped with the power
level to apply on the different modules and a schematic connecting representation.
The About PN9002 window shows a web address. The user can feel free to contact
Aeroflex should he need more information.

Picture 3.38 : About
PN9002 Window

Picture 3.39 : Synoptic Window


Page 32

Picture 3.40 : Connecting Representation Window - Front

Picture 3.41 : Connecting Representation Window - Rear
Page 33

Picture 3.42 : Users Manual Window

Page 34

Section 4 Section 4
The Measurement Method

Page 35

4.1 General points

The system follows a measurement process whose steps are:
- the measurement of the calibration factors (beat slope: K, beat peak: Ka) in order to
fix the 0dB reference.
- 0V adjustment with the phase shifter for a phase noise measurement (LO and RF
paths in quadrature) or with the video shifter for an amplitude measurement (LO and
RF paths in phase).
- running the measurement.

Remark: The PN9002 system must be switched on before the loading of the
software.

4.2 Necessary Signals

For the good working of the PN9002 system, three signals are needed:
- a microwave pulsed signal to be analyzed. It loads the input of the Add
Noise module. This signal must be in accordance with the power level
indicated on the synoptic given in appendix at the end of this manual (see
Page 43: Interface Document ).
- A TTL trigger signal provided by the radar system. It is connected to the
Trig Input of the digitizing board and aims at starting the data
acquisition.
- A continuous clock signal provided by the radar system. It can be a TTL
sinus/square wave. The frequency of this clock must not be above 60MHz.

Under these conditions, the radar system to be measured and the PN9002 work
synchronously. The Generator rack provides these signals to the Analyzer rack, thus
the PN9002 is a stand-alone system.

4.3 How to Use the Software

The system can work in two different configurations:
- the development mode: the user can choose the measurement he wants to
make, all the functions are available. In this mode, the software displays the
phase drift, cancellation and stability curves.
- the acceptance mode: the user has to follow a measurement process; the
display windows can not be opened. At the end of the process, the software
provides an acceptance report.

Since the test bench is equipped with a programmable phase shifter, the system
can work automatically; so, all the processes are equipped with two buttons: Manual
and Auto.
Before running the first measurement, the checking of the connecting system is
advised. A connecting representation can be found in the help menu (Pictures 3.36 and
3.37). The synoptic, which is available in the same menu, indicates the power level
which must be provided.
Page 36

4.3.1 Development Configuration

When the software is loaded, the main screen appears: the time domain
contains a curve that serves as an example and the two cursors Start and Stop
which define the sampling range (see Picture 4.1).

4.3.1.1 Step 1: Enter the measurement parameters

The operator has to define the measurement conditions with the different
windows of the Parameters Menu (described before see Pictures 3.15 to 3.19):
physical characteristics of the signal to be analyzed, digitizer parameters, and
processing data to apply.
Of course, if the operator wants to work under Development Mode, he has to leave
the Analysis Mode scroll menu in the default position.

Picture 4.1 : Main Screen

4.3.1.2 Step 2: Cursors Adjustment

Press the Measure button: the signal is displayed on the plot (see Picture
4.2). Some red points appear on the curve: they are the samples selected and used for
the data processing (cancellation and stability). The green curve corresponds to a
selected interpolation.
Then adjust the Start and Stop cursors precisely in order to obtain a
sampling on the entire pulse. It can be useful to check the positions of the samples
with a new measurement process.

Page 37

Picture 4.2 : Samples and Interpolation Representation

4.3.1.3 Step 3: The adjustment of the reference level

The adjustment is performed in two steps:
- the calibration of the demodulation factors.
- the checking of the mixer linearity.
So press the 0dB Ref button to run this step.

Picture 4.3 : 0dB Ref Window Manual
Mode
- Manual Mode: The 0dBc Adjustment
window appears (Picture 4.3): For this first
setting, click on the Manual button. Then
the system stays on free running mode to let
the operator move the programmable phase
shifter (with the buttons of the Manual
box), until he gets the minimum and
maximum DC values.
Both are recorded by the system
which computes the two demodulation
factors: K (phase) and Ka (amplitude). So
leave the phase shifter on the maximum, and
press OK. The acquisition is stopped, the
window is closed.
The software checks the mixer
linearity, and delivers a message about it:
Mixer Linearity: OK or Out of Range:
adjust the RF Input level (see the Synoptic
Window in the Help menu to match the
right power levels).

Page 38
Remarks: - For a standard RF input power (<2.5dBm), the mixer should be in its
linearity range, and the three values (K, K+, K-) should be closed to each other.
If not it means that a DC offset is disturbing the symmetry of the demodulation
voltage.
- During the phase shifter move, the top white box shows the current K
, the
other boxes give the information of the current maximum and minimum DC
values.

Cancel allows exiting the window without performing this 0dB Ref
adjustment.

Picture 4.4 : 0dB Ref Window
Automatic Mode

- Automatic Mode:
This window appears (Picture 4.4):
Click on the Auto button: first the system
adjusts the quadrature by searching the zero
crossing. After it increases and decreases the
phase with the same positive and negative
increment in order to compute the beat slope
around zero. Then the process stops on the
maximum DC value that corresponds to the
beat peak. The software records these two
demodulation factors (K and Ka) and
checks the linearity of the phase detector
after clicking OK.

4.3.1.4 Step 4: AM/PM Adjustment

The system allows performing either a phase noise measurement or an
amplitude noise measurement. Therefore, the operator has to set up the signal to the
type of measurement to be made. This is the aim of the 0Volt adjustment step. So
press the 0Volt key. The following window appears (Picture 4.5).

Page 39

Picture 4.5 : AM/PM Adjustment Window

AM Adjustment:
- Manual Mode: The operator has to move the intra-pulse signal to zero,
which is represented by the green line. So press AM to start the data
acquisition, choose the gain (30 or 40dB) and then add a DC voltage on the
pulsed signal in order to move it up to zero. Click in the Offset (V) box,
and use the keys (on the keyboard) to increase or decrease the DC
Offset added to the pulsed signal. (see Picture 4.6 below).
Then press OK to stop the data acquisition and quit the window.

Cancel allows exiting the window without performing this 0V adjustment.

Picture 4.6 : 0V Adjustment AM Measurement
Page 40
- Automatic Mode: The user chooses AM and click Auto, the button
switches to the Processing message. The process changes
automatically the DC Offset in order to move the intra-pulse signal to zero
volt. At the end of the process, the button switches back to the Auto
label, the signal is adjusted to zero, so press OK to quit this window.

PM Adjustment:
- Manual Mode: For this kind of measurement, the zero DC value is obtained
by moving the manual or programmable phase shifter in order to adjust the
RF and LO paths in quadrature. As it is shown on the screen below (Picture
4.7), the top of the pulse has to meet its base. Then the signal can be moved
to the 0V line (by means of the Offset(V) control) in order to compensate
the DC offset. To run this process, click on the Phase button, adjust the
signal and press OK to stop the data acquisition and quit this window.

- Automatic Mode: The user chooses Phase and click Auto, the button
switches to the Processing message. By means of the programmable
phase shifter, the quadrature of the LO and RF path is adjusted
automatically. When the Processing button switching back to Auto,
the Phase Adjustment to zero is performed, click OK to quit this
window.

Picture 4.7 : 0V Adjustment PM Measurement

After this 4
th
step (AM or PM adjustment), the system is ready to perform a
measurement.

Page 41
4.3.1.5 Step 5: The Measurement

The operator has just to click on the Measure button; the system runs the
measurement and displays the results. In the Demodulation window (located in the
right top hand side), the default curve which is displayed is the time
demodulation. However, the phase or amplitude gap between the signal and the
interpolation can be shown. So the user can observe the fast transients of phase or
amplitude around the monotonous variation (described by the interpolation). For this
display, the operator has to choose a type of interpolation in the Processing Menu
and select the menu in the main screen (see Picture 4.8).

Picture 4.8 : Demodulation Menu

4.3.1.6 Results: Cancellation

In the cancellation window, the FFT is displayed; the number of curves
displayed is the number of samples located into each pulse. Each curve is composed of
a number of points witch suit with the number of pulses in the burst. The cancellation
is expressed in dBc vs Hz (the frequency span corresponds to the PRF).
When analyzing only one burst, a cancellation curve represents the FFT of each
sample (see following plot and PN9002 Analysis and FFT Analysis applied in the
software).

Page 42

Picture 4.9 : Cancellation computation for only one burst

When analyzing several bursts, the computation is applied for each burst; and
an average computation is calculated. So each curve corresponds with the average
value of the FFT of each sample of the pulse.

Picture 4.10 : Cancellation computation for a set of bursts

For the Avg Spl computation, an average value of the samples is calculated
for each pulse; and then the FFT computation is applied on these average values.
In the case of several bursts, the average on the samples of each pulse is calculated,
then the FFT computation is applied. This process is performed on each burst and then
a second averaging computation on the number of bursts is made to obtain the Avg
Spl curve.
Carrier
Cancelled
S1
S2
S3
Fc
1
Fc
2
Fc
3
Fc
4
Fc
5
Fc
6
Fc
7

0Hz
Cancellation (dBc)
FFT
S1
1
S2
1
S3
1
Freq. PRF
S1
1
corresponds with the FFT of the 1
st
sample of
the 1
st
pulse.
Si
k
corresponds with the FFT of the i
th
sample of
the k
th
pulse.
Carrier
Cancelled
S1
S2
S3
Fc
1
Fc
2
Fc
3
Fc
4
Fc
5
Fc
6
Fc
7

0Hz
Cancellation (dBc)
FFT
S1
1
S2
1
S3
1
Freq.
PRF
S1
1
corresponds with the average on the all bursts
of the FFT of the 1
st
sample of the 1
st
pulse.
Si
k
corresponds with the average on the all bursts
of the FFT of the i
th
sample of the k
th
pulse.
Page 43
In the cancellation window, a color selector allows assigning a specific color to
each curve. The colors assigned are saved so the user can define a color table in order
to locate each curve: indeed the first plot corresponds with the first sample of each
pulse, the second plot with the second sample and so on. The selected plot appears
with a higher thickness than the others (see Picture 4.11).
The Sample Averaging cancellation is displayed in pink color, with a thick line, and
with square dots.

Picture 4.11 : Cancellation Window

4.3.1.7 Results: Stability

The stability is expressed in dBc vs time, %AM vs time, or mdeg vs time
depending on the kind of measurement. In case of FFT analysis, the stability curve is
deduced from the cancellation (the sum of the points of each cancellation
curves gives a point of the stability curve). So the stability is composed by a number
of points witch suits with the number of samples into the pulse (see appendixes
PN9002 Analysis and FFT Analysis applied in the software).
The numerical boxes give the best, the worst and the average value of the stability.
The Averaging samples stability corresponds to a unique value because it is deduced
from the Averaging samples cancellation curve. This curve is displayed on the graph
in pink color (see Picture 4.12).

In case of temporal analysis, each point of the stability curve is directly calculated by
the temporal process describe in appendix: Temporal Analysis applied in the software.

Page 44

Picture 4.12 : Stability Window

4.3.1.8 Results: AM+PM

When both measurements (AM and Phase) have been done, the software can
compute the sum of the two measurements. The user has just to click AM+PM. The
0dB Ref, 0Volt and Measure buttons are replaced in the main screen by the
AM, Phase and Return buttons (see Picture 4.13). These latter enable to display
either the latest AM, Phase or sum curves. The type of curve displayed in the
windows, are indicated in the title bar. The Return button allows coming to the usual
screen and gives the access back to the different menus.

Picture 4.13 : AM+Phase Access
Page 45
4.3.2 Acceptance Configuration

The change from the Development mode to the Acceptance mode will be
done in the menu Parameters/Software/Analysis mode.
When selecting this mode, the display windows are closed, the Window menu is no
more available. Since this operation mode is made under sequential access, only one
button is available for each step (see the example Picture 4.14).

Picture 4.14 : Acceptance Mode

4.3.2.1 Step 1: Enter the parameters and set up the cursors

As in the Development mode, the user has to define the measurement
parameters, and has to run a measurement in order to place the cursors (Start and
Stop) on the curve. Then the system runs to the following step.

4.3.2.2 Step 2: Calibration of the phase detector

Run the measurement of the demodulation factor by clicking on the0dB Ref
button, the process is the same as when operating in Development mode.

4.3.2.3 Step 3: AM Adjustment

Click on the only button available: 0V Adjust. In this mode, the steps are
defined: the Amplitude noise measurement is done before the phase noise
measurement. The operator has to respect the above-mentioned steps in order not to
disturb the good working process.
Accordingly a message is written on the screen: 0V Adjust without affecting the
phase shifter (see Picture 4.15), so the user has to adjust the signal by clicking in the
Offset (V) box. Then the process is the same as described above: AM, adjustment,
OK to quit.

Page 46

Picture 4.15 : AM Adjustment Acceptance Mode

4.3.2.4 Step 4: AM Measurement

Press Measure, the system runs the measurement and a curve is displayed on
the screen. If saturation is detected, the LNA gain decreases from 40dB to 30dB, and
the user has to run the measurement one more time. If not the process enables the
following step: 0V adjustment.

4.3.2.5 Step 5: PM Adjustment

As it is written on the screen, it is recommended to make the 0V Adjustment by
means of the mechanical phase shifter. Therefore, the Offset (V) box must keep the
value: 0 (see Picture 4.16).
Press Phase, adjust the quadrature of RF and LO paths, OK to quit the window.

Picture 4.16 : PM Adjustment Acceptance Mode
Page 47
4.3.2.6 Step 6: PM Measurement

Run the measurement by pressing the button. The curve is quickly displayed on
the screen and the process runs to the Acceptance Report immediately (see the Picture
4.17).The main features of the signal measured are automatically reported on it. The
user can add some comments to the acceptance report.

Two buttons appear at the top of this document:
- Cancel: to return to the main screen directly.
- Print: to print a copy of the acceptance report.

Then all the steps are over, the system is ready to run new measurements.

Picture 4.17 : Acceptance Report

Page 48
4.3.3 Stagger and Sequence Mode

4.3.3.1 Definitions

Sequence Mode (or Sequence): The software detects a Sequence Mode when there
are at least two pulses with different width in the burst.

Stagger Mode: The software considers as a Stagger Mode a burst in which all the
pulses have the same width but different PRT.

4.3.3.2 Pattern description

Picture 4.18 : Sequence/ Stagger
Pattern Window

As it is explained in the 3.2.4
Pattern Type Window part, for the
Stagger/Sequence modes, the user has to
enter the W frequency and the number of
pulses of the burst (Picture 4.18). Then he
clicks Setup in order to define the
pattern by means of the graphic
representation (see Picture 4.19 below).

The user has just to enter the width and the delay of each pulse, the described
pattern is displayed on the graph in real time (see Picture 4.19).

Remark: This window allows saving patterns and opening the previous ones:
buttons Save and Open. Clicking on the Help button reminds
definitions of the Stagger/Sequence mode.

Page 49

Picture 4.19 : Pattern Generator Programming Window

4.3.3.3 Verification of the pattern

The operator closes the previous window by clicking OK. The software
checks the mode (Stagger or Sequence): if the pattern described doesnt correspond to
the pattern type that was chosen, a message will appear. The user will choose either to
continue or to return to the graphic representation (see Picture 4.20).

Example: The pattern mode chosen is the Stagger Mode.
The pattern described is a Sequence pattern: the PRF is constant for
pulses with the same width and there are two different pulse widths.
So the following window will appear to inform the user.

Picture 4.20 : Warning Message

If the pattern mode corresponds to the graphic representation, the window
Results appears and indicates the different pulse widths in the burst, the number of
pulses with the same width and each PRF (see Picture 4.21).

Page 50

Picture 4.21 : Results Window

Click OK to return to the Pattern type window.

4.3.3.4 Process applied on Stagger /Sequence pattern

When the PRF is constant for pulses with the same width (regular and
Sequence pattern), the default process applies a FFT computation. Nevertheless, the
operator can choose to perform a temporal analysis (RMS or Standard Deviation).

For stagger patterns, the PRF is not constant: of course, a FFT cant be applied.
So the pulse to pulse stability is computed by means of temporal analysis.

Appendixes give details on these different analyses:
- FFT Analysis applied in the software
- Temporal Analysis applied in the software

4.3.3.5 Number of pulses in a Sequence pattern

When a FFT computation is performed, the energy collected in the first and last
equivalent Doppler filter corresponds to the DC voltage due to the modulated carrier.
There is much DC voltage in the second Doppler filter too. That is the reason why the
pulse to pulse stability (which is calculated) is the sum of the energy located in each
Doppler filter except in the first, second and the last ones. So its necessary to have at
least 4 pulses with the same width in the burst in order to perform a FFT analysis.
If the number of identical pulses is less than 4, the software will automatically switch
the process on a temporal analysis. Nevertheless, the user can return to a FFT analysis
(by means of the Processing Parameters Window shown below Picture 4.22) but
he will have to change the skipped filters manually.
Of course, the response of the pulse to pulse stability will be degraded by the
contribution of the first, second and last filters.

Page 51

Picture 4.22 : Processing Parameters Window

4.3.3.6 Sequence measurement

In a Sequence pattern there are several widths of pulse. The software put
automatically the cursors on the pulses which are mainly represented in the burst.
If the user wants to analyze the stability in other pulses, he has to select these
latest by means of the Pulse Width selector located on the bottom left hand side of
the main screen (see Picture 4.23). After, he has to click Measure to set the cursors
on the selected pulse, and then he can run the different steps of the process (0dB ref,
0V Adjust, Measure).

Picture 4.23 : Sequence Measurement

Page 52
Remark: In the automatic mode, the user chooses the pulses to be analyzed when
he selects the cursors position (see Picture 4.24).

Picture 4.24 : Sequence Cursors Adjustment Window

4.3.4 Pulse-to-Pulse Residue Process

After the measurement of a staggering pattern, the PN9002 system can
compute a pulse-to-pulse residue: it measures and displays the temporal phase or
amplitude variations of each pulse referred to a selected one in the burst.

4.3.4.1 Description of the method

The described burst is split in two subsets: part 1 of the burst and part 2. The
last pulse of one of these two subsets is selected as a reference. It is subtracted from all
pulses of the burst in order to find the pulse to pulse residue.

4.3.4.2 The different steps of the process

- Define a staggering burst in the pattern type window.

- Split this burst in two subsets: the first part of the burst with a PRF and the second
one with another PRF.
For doing that, the user has just to put the selector after the last pulse of the first
portion (see Picture 4.25).

- Run the calibration and amplitude or phase measurement.

Page 53

Picture 4.25 : Pattern Programming

- Then to perform the pulse-to-pulse (P2P) residue, it is necessary to display the
intra-pulse curve. So open the Display menu and select the intra-pulse vs.
samples or time visualization (Picture 4.26). The user can put specification lines
and burst separator. Click on the graph to quit this window.

Picture 4.26 : Display Mode

Page 54
- The time domain window displays the intra-pulse curve (Pictures 4.27 and 4.28).

Picture 4.27 : Intra-Pulse Display vs. Time

Picture 4.28 : Intra-Pulse Display vs. samples

- When clicking on the P2P Residue button, the software proposes a choice: the
pulse reference is taken either in the first or in the second part of the burst.

Picture 4.29 : Reference Pulse Selector
Page 55
The pulse used as a reference is subtracted from all the pulses of the burst to
find the pulse-to-pulse residue. The result is displayed in the time domain window
(Pictures 4.30 and 4.31).

4.3.4.3 The pulse-to-pulse residue plots

The pulse-to-pulse residue can be expressed in dB or %AM for amplitude
measurements and deg for phase measurements. The X-axis of the graph can be the
time unit (see picture 4.30) or the number of samples (see picture 4.31).

Picture 4.30 : Pulse-to-Pulse Residue vs. Time

Picture 4.31 : Pulse-to-Pulse Residue vs. samples

Page 56
- The user can print the curve or the save the result of the pulse-to-pulse residue by
clicking on the dedicated button (located on the right side of the P2P Residue
button).

- To perform a new measurement or to select a menu, you have to click Return. If
you want to perform an other pulse-to-pulse residue, you just have to click on the
button.

4.3.5 Automatic Mode

Thanks to the programmable phase shifter, each process (0dB reference, 0V
adjustment, measure) can work in a semi-automatic mode. A new wizard enables to
run all the processes automatically: PN9002 Wizard (see Picture 4.32).

Picture 4.32 : PN9002 Automatic Wizard

This function manages the progress of each
process and indicates by means of Led the
state of this progress.
- First the user has to set up the pattern mode.
- The system runs a first measurement to
estimate the initial delay and then displays a
window where the user has to choose the
cursors position (in percent of pulse width):
example: Pulse Width: 1s, cursors
position: 80% the Start cursor is located
100ns (10%) after the start of the pulse, the
Stop cursor 100ns (10%) before the end of
the pulse (see Picture 4.33).
Then a second measurement is done in
order to adjust the cursors on the plot. The
0dB ref process is launched after. The
demodulation factors are computed, the
linearity of the mixer checked.

Picture 4.33 : Cursors Position Window

Page 57
Before the 0Volt Adjustment step, it is necessary to define the type of
measurement you want to perform. So a little window appears at this moment (see
Picture 4.34), it allows to choose AM, PHASE or BOTH measurement. And
then the 0Volt Adjustment process starts.
At the end of this latter, the measurement is automatically run.

Picture 4.34 : Select Measure Window

Then you can choose either to stop and so click Exit, or to run an other
measurement and so click either Set Measure in order to define its type (AM or
Phase) or Measure to perform again the same measurement (see Picture 4.35).

Picture 4.35 : PN9002 Wizard Set Measure

4.3.6 Exit

To quit the application, the user has to select the menu: File/Exit.

It is strongly advised to quit the software before switching the system off.
Page 58

Section 5 Section 5
Appendixes

Page 59

PN9002 Specifications

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Band : 2 to 18GHz
To D.U.T. available level : 13dBm 2dBm (PN9002 Output)
From D.U.T. level (RF port Input) : 0dBm (2dBm max.) (PN9002 Input)
Reference Input Level (LO port input) : 7dBm (10dBm max.) (PN9002 Input)
Number of pulses to analyze : 4 to 16
Number of samples per pulse : 4 to 128 (depending on the pulse)
Minimum pulse width : 200ns
Maximum pulse width : 500s
Sampling Clock Frequency : up to 50MHz
Residual Noise : -76dBc cancellation guaranteed (-79dBc typ.)*
-76dBc stability guaranteed (-79dBc typ.)*
System Accuracy : 2dB
Instantaneous Bandwidth : 20MHz max (digital adjustable Bessel filter)
* Within a receiver bandwidth of 20MHz, AC Coupled, on a monotonous pulse pattern, FFT window:
Hamming.

Signal to be provided** : - W pulsed signal
- TTL trigger signal
- 50MHz -TTL clock signal (continuous sinus or square wave)
** Signal to be entered into the Analyzer rack in case the operator uses this rack only (without using the
generator rack).

PULSE MODULATOR SPECIFICATIONS
Non-Reflective Modulator
Rise/Fall Time : 10ns
ON Time : 30ns
ON/OFF Ratio : 80dB
Stability : Included in residual system noise floor

PATTERN GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS
Rise/Fall Time : 10ns
Minimum Pulse Width : 200ns
Output Level : TTL, 50
Time Resolution : 20ns
Page 60
INTERNAL PN9100 SYNTHESIZER SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range : 2MHz to 18GHz
Output Level : 13dBm2
Phase Noise : see plot in the following Appendix
Amplitude Noise : see plot in the following Appendix
(Internal PN9100 Synthesizer: Residual Noise)

SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP pro
.
File management : Open/Save plots and Configuration
Printing Utility : Print Plots or Acceptance Report
FFT Windows : Hanning, Hamming, Blackman,
Time Domain Processing : Standard Deviation, RMS method, multiple interpolations.
Automated Functions : Simple 0dB Adjustment using Beat Slope and Beat Peak
method, Phase and Amplitude measurement sequence.
Built-in modes : Standard pulse burst or Stagger pattern (not compatible with
FFT), Full feature access or restrict Acceptance only mode.

Units : - Cancellation : dBc.
- Stability : dBc.
- Phase : degree.
- Amplitude : % of modulation.

Page 61
Internal PN9100 Synthesizer : Residual Noise

Phase Noise: F= 6GHz

Amplitude Noise: F= 6GHz

Page 62
Trig IN
Interface document

DUT
Added Noise 2-18GHz
Phase/AM
Detector

LO
RF
Synthesizer
Pulse
Modulator

Tune Voltage

B
C
D
E
LNA
Lock Control
Clock
F
A
Prog. Phase
Shifter
Video
Shifter
ADC
Signal
Processing
Pattern
Generator
G
Power Level: A = 0dBm
B = 12dBm 2
C = 12dBm 2
D = 0dBm (2dBm Max)
E = 7dBm (10 dBm Max)
F = 50MHz TTL Signal, 50
G = TTL signal

Page 63

PN9002 Analysis

Analysis Filter: Width =
N
Fr
Central Frequencies:
N
Fr
k with k: 1 to N-1

Fr
1

S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Burst of Npulses = Nb of Pulses = 8
PW
Start Stop
Pulse to Pulse Stability (dBc)
S1
S2 S3
Start
Cursor
Stop
Cursor
0s PW
Time Freq.
Fr
Si
FFT
Carrier
Cancelled
S1
S2
S3
Fc
1
Fc
2
Fc
3
Fc
4
Fc
5
Fc
6
Fc
7

0Hz
Cancellation (dBc)
S1
1
S2
1
S3
1
S
1
S
2
Si = 1pt
Si
This process allows to obtain an average cancellation plot by means of an average
computation applied on each point i of the P cancellation curves.
The sum of these N points of this cancellation curve gives one stability result
Page 64
FFT Analysis applied in the software

Definitions:

Cancellation =

Stability =

Cancellation computation:
- digitizing

- FFT processing

- Noise power

- FFT normalization with N = number of pulses

- Cancellation

) Average on P samples:

- P samples are located along the pulses:

- Samples Averaged Cancellation ( ) ( ) lin C
P
1
lin C
P
1 i
k
j i
k
j
=
=

( ) dB C
k
j
= ( ) | | lin C
k
j
log . 10

As it is described on the previous graphic, this process allows to obtain an
average cancellation plot by means of an average computation applied on each point i
of the P cancellation curves. The sum of these N points of this cancellation curve gives
one stability result (see graphic above).

( )
k
0
i
k i
x
x
FFT X
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
Power RF
width Fr/N with Fr/N * k on centered filter into Power Integrated
Power RF
filters the all into Power Integrated
( )
2
k i
X
( )
N
X
2
k i
( )
( )
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
N
X
log . 10 C
2
k i
dB k
Page 65
) Average on M bursts:

- Averaged Cancellation k C
=

Stability Computation:

- Stability

) Average on P samples:
- Samples Averaged Stability ( )
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=
P
i
dB S
j
j i
P
dB S
1
10
10
1
log . 10

) Average on M bursts:

- Averaged Stability

with k: index of pulses (represents the order into the burst)
i: index of samples (represents the order into the pulse)
j: index of bursts (represents the order in the average)

( )
=
M
C
M
j
j k
1
log . 10
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=
1
2
log . 10
N
k
k dB i
C S
( )
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=
1
2
log . 10
N
k
k dB i
C S
Page 66
Temporal Analysis applied in the software

This temporal analysis is used when a FFT computation cant be applied
because of the different PRF between the pulses of the burst.

Standard Deviation Method

With this method, the pulse-to pulse stability is considered as the mean
difference between phase (or amplitude) of each pulse of the burst and the averaging
value of the phase (or amplitude) on the whole burst.

For a burst of N pulses:

(Phase Stability)
dB
= 10.log (Phase Stability)
Lin

(Phase Stability)
dB
= with

k
= phase of the signal in a point of the pulse.

(Amplitude Stability)
dB
= 10.log (Amplitude Stability)
Lin

dB
= with

k
A
= amplitude of the signal in a point of the pulse.

Average on M bursts:

( )
( ) | |
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=
M
Stability _ Phase
log . 10 Stability _ Phase
M
1 j
j Lin
dB

( )
( ) | |
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=
M
Stability _ Amplitude
log . 10 Stability _ Amplitude
M
1 j
j Lin
dB

|
|
.
|
\
|
=
N
k
k
N
1
2
_
1
log . 10

=
=
N
k
k
N
1
_
.
1

|
|
.
|
\
|
=
N
k
k
A A
N
1
2
_
1
log . 10

=
=
N
k
k
A
N
A
1
_
.
1
Page 67
RMS Method

With this method, the pulse-to pulse stability is the phase (or amplitude)
variations between successive pulses of a same burst.

For a burst of N pulses:

(Phase Stability)
dB
= 10.log (Phase Stability)
Lin
- 3dB

(Phase Stability)
dB
=
dB 3
1 N
1
log . 10
1 N
1 k
2
k 1 k

|
|
.
|
\
|
=
+

dB
= 10.log (Amplitude Stability)
Lin

dB
=
dB 3 A A
1 N
1
log . 10
1 N
1 k
2
k 1 k

|
|
.
|
\
|
=
+

Average on M bursts:

( )
( ) | |
dB 3
M
Stability _ Phase
log . 10 Stability _ Phase
M
1 j
j Lin
dB

|
|
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=

( )
( ) | |
dB 3
M
Stability _ Amplitude
log . 10 Stability _ Amplitude
M
1 j
j Lin
dB

|
|
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=

=

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Pulse-to-Pulse RADAR

Stability Test Set

= phase of the signal in a point of the pulse.

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