Test & Measurement


DDC option aids antenna testing

3 October 2012 Test & Measurement

Agilent Technologies has rolled out a wideband digital down-converter option on its M9703A AXIe eight-channel high-speed digitiser. The new DDC functionality enables faster, more flexible measurements in high-channel-count applications.

In many multi-antenna applications such as radar, direction finding and satellite beam forming, phase coherent acquisition channels are critical for accurate data acquisition, whether for antenna calibration or channel sounding. Traditional test platforms are generally limited to measurements involving sinusoids, which preclude testing with broader band signals, such as multitone or live signals.

For such complex signals, the real-time processing algorithm of Agilent’s new DDC functionality enables phase coherent measurements across eight input channels.

With a frequency range of DC to 2 GHz and a sampling rate of 1,6 GSps, the M9703A-DDC digitiser option provides tuning and zooming capabilities to analyse these signals of interest. The DDC programmable decimation ratio and fine IF tuning allow users to set the bandwidth and centre frequency to match the analysed signal.

Real-time decimation allows users to analyse bandwidth from 300 MHz down to less than 1 kHz, reduces the noise level, improves the dynamic range by 3 dB per decimation step, and extends the capture time.

For advanced measurement analysis, the digitiser is compatible with Agilent’s 89600 Vector Signal Analysis software.

The M9703A AXIe digitiser, combined with an Agilent two-slot or five-slot AXIe chassis, allows users to easily scale up the number of parallel acquisition channels without the use of switches, reaching up to 40 channels in only 4U of rack-mount space using five digitisers.

The M9703A with the DDC option is useful in electronic warfare and MIMO applications that need simultaneous wide-bandwidth and high dynamic-range measurements on multiple channels.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

60 MHz 16-bit AWG
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
Siglent’s SDG1000X Plus series function/arbitrary waveform generator offers a maximum output frequency of 60 MHz, 16-bit vertical resolution, 1 GSa/s sampling rate, and 8 Mpts arbitrary waveform length.

Read more...
AC programmable power
Accutronics Test & Measurement
TDK Corporation has announced the introduction of the TDK-Lambda brand GENESYS AC and GENESYS AC PRO series of 2 kVA and 3 kVA rated programmable AC power sources.

Read more...
QA introduces large chisel tip style probes
Techmet Test & Measurement
The two new probes have a larger diameter to provide better contact reliability.

Read more...
Digital PSU with four variable outputs
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PeakTech 6215 is a laboratory power supply with four separate voltage outputs, each one infinitely variable using the rotary controls on the front of the unit.

Read more...
High-voltage insulation resistance testers
Comtest Test & Measurement
Two new high-voltage insulation resistance testers, from Fluke, deliver accuracy and speed in industrial and solar PV applications.

Read more...
Digital accelerometer for high dynamics applications
RS South Africa Test & Measurement
TDK extends its Tronics portfolio with the AXO314, a high-performance digital MEMS accelerometer with ±14 g input range for industrial applications operating under shock and vibration.

Read more...
Evolution of the connected healthcare system
Concilium Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The combination of advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud services impact the changes you see in healthcare today.

Read more...
Acceleration sensors for wearables
Future Electronics Test & Measurement
Bosch Sensortec has introduced two new acceleration sensors, the BMA530 and BMA580, both offered in a compact size of only 1,2 x 0,8 x 0,55 mm.

Read more...
Accurate laser measurement
Avnet Silica Test & Measurement
Online Teaser: Panasonic Industry’s laser sensor has a resolution of up to 0,5 µm, a linearity of ±0,05% FS, and a high-speed sampling of 100 µs.

Read more...
Handheld analyser with wide frequency range
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PXN-400 from Harogic is a handheld spectrum analyser that covers a frequency range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz, with an analytical bandwidth of 100 MHz.

Read more...