Aeroflex 3035 User manual

3035 Wideband RF Digitizer
PXI Module
Operating Manual
Document no. 46892/722
Issue 8
20 October 2008

PREFACE
ii
About this manual
This manual applies when the instrument is used with the supplied software.
It explains how to set up and configure an Aeroflex 3035 wideband RF digitizer PXI module.
Where necessary, it refers you to the appropriate installation documents that are supplied with
the module.
This manual provides information about how to configure the module as a stand-alone device.
However, one of the advantages of Aeroflex 3000 Series PXI modules is their ability to form
versatile test instruments, when used with other such modules and running 3000 Series
application software.
Getting Started with afDigitizer (supplied on the CD-ROM that accompanies each module
(see Associated documentation)) explains how to set up and configure a 3030 Series RF
digitizer with a 3010 Series RF synthesizer module to form a high performance digitizer
instrument. Using the digitizer soft front panel and/or dll or COM object supplied, the
modules form an instrument that provides the functionality and performance of an integrated,
highly-specified RF digitizer, but with the adaptability to satisfy a diverse range of test or
measurement requirements.
© Aeroflex International Ltd. 2008
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or recorded by any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing by Aeroflex International Ltd.
(hereafter referred to throughout the document as ‘Aeroflex’).
© Aeroflex International Ltd. 2008
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or recorded by any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing by Aeroflex International Ltd.
(hereafter referred to throughout the document as ‘Aeroflex’).

PREFACE
iii
Intended audience
Users who need to configure and operate the 3035 wideband RF digitizer to down-convert and
digitize RF signals.
This manual is intended for first-time users, to provide familiarity with basic operation.
Programming is not covered in this document but is documented fully in the help files that
accompany the drivers and associated software on the CD-ROM.
Driver version
To maintain optimum performance, all 3000 Series PXI modules should be used either with
the software driver version with which they were supplied (on the Aeroflex 3000 Series PXI
Modules CD-ROM part no. 46886/028), or the latest driver, which you can download from
the Aeroflex website.
Aeroflex endeavours to ensure modules remain backwards compatible with earlier driver
version releases.
However, continual improvement means that from software version 6.2.0 onwards there are
exceptions, which are explained below.

PREFACE
iv
Checking the software compatibility of a PXI module
• Modules that are compatible with all driver versions display on their front panel a serial
number label consisting of black lettering on a white background.
• Modules that are only compatible with software driver installation version 6.2.0 and
higher have a serial number label consisting of black lettering on a yellow background.
White background to label
use all driver s/w versions
Y
ellow background to label
use v. 6.2.0 s/w or higher
Fig. 1 Location of serial no. label (example)
Please ensure that you install the correct version of software for your module.

PREFACE
v
Associated documentation
The following documentation covers specific aspects of this equipment:
PXI Modules CD-ROM Part no.
46886/028 Compilation containing soft front panels, drivers, application software, data sheets, getting started
and operating manuals for this and other modules
in the 3000 Series.
3000 Series PXI
Modules Common
Installation Guide
Part no.
46882/663 Detailed information on installing modules into a rack, external connections, powering up and
installing drivers.
3000 Series PXI
Modules Installation
Guide for Chassis
Part no.
46882/667 Explains how to set up a populated chassis ready for use.
PXI Studio User Guide Part no:
46892/809 Setting up and using the universal PXI application for system configuration and operation.
Getting Started with
afDigitizer Part no.
46892/676 Setting up and using the RF digitizer application for 3010 Series and 3030 Series modules.

PREFACE
vi
Preface
The PXI concept
VXI and GPIB systems meet the specific needs of instrumentation users but are often too
large and expensive for mainstream applications. PC-based instrumentation may cost less but
cannot meet the environmental and operational requirements of many systems.
PXI (PCI Extensions for Instrumentation) is based on CompactPCI, itself based on the PCI
standard. PCI was designed for desktop machines but CompactPCI was designed for
industrial applications, and features a rugged Eurocard format with easy insertion and
removal. PXI adds to the CompactPCI specification by defining system-level specifications
for timing, synchronization, cooling, environmental testing, and software. While PXI extends
CompactPCI, it also maintains complete interoperability so that you can use any CompactPCI-
compliant product in a PXI system and vice versa. PXI also makes use of Windows software,
VXI timing and triggering, and VXIplug&play instrument drivers to provide powerful and
affordable systems.
®is a registered trademark of Aeroflex International Inc. in the US
PXI™ is a registered trademark of the PXI Systems Alliance
Windows™, Windows XP™ and Windows NT™ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation

PREFACE
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Abbreviations/acronyms
ACLR Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio
ACP Adjacent Channel Power
ACPR Adjacent Channel Power Ratio
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter
AM Amplitude Modulation
ARB Arbitrary Waveform Generator
CW Continuous Wave
DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
dB Decibels
dBc Decibels relative to the carrier level
dBm Decibels relative to 1 mW
FFT Fast Fourier Transform
FM Frequency Modulation
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
GND Ground
IQ In-phase/Quadrature
LO Local Oscillator
LSTB List Strobe
LVDS Low-Voltage Differential Signaling
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
Pk-Pk Peak-to-Peak

PREFACE
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PXI PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation
F Radio Frequency
RMS Root Mean Square
SFP Soft Front Panel
SMA SubMiniature version A (connector)
SMB SubMiniature version B (connector)
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
TRIG Trigger
TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic
UUT Unit Under Test
VCO Voltage-Controlled Oscillator
VHDCI Very High Density Connector Interface
VSWR Voltage Standing-Wave Ratio
VXI VMEbus Extension for Instrumentation

1-1
Chapter 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
Welcome to the operating manual for the 3035 Wideband RF Digitizer PXI module.
The 3035, when used with a 3010 Series PXI RF synthesizer module, forms a compact
wideband RF digitizer that occupies three slots in a 3U PXI chassis.

GENERAL INFORMATION
1-2
Applications
The 3035 down-converts and digitizes RF signals. It converts an analog RF waveform
presented at its RF port into a series of amplitude- and phase-corrected digital IF or IQ data
pairs at its LVDS port. Software supplied with the module allows for spectrum analysis of the
digitized signals.
The 3035 can be used in RF test and measurement systems used in development or
manufacturing. Applications span all areas of UHF radio communications.
Wide frequency coverage
The module provides continuous frequency coverage from 330 MHz to 6 GHz. A linear
single-stage down-converter converts input signals to an IF centered on 77.76 MHz.
Input range and accuracy
Input level control is provided by electronic switched attenuation, which helps to maximize
the usable dynamic range. Good level accuracy and repeatability make the module ideal for
high-volume manufacturing.
Wide bandwidth
The 3035 produces a 36 MHz wide digitized IF signal, with amplitude and phase correction
applied across 33 MHz. Full-rate digital IF or decimated IQ data can be output via LVDS,
useful for real-time emulation. Data can also be captured to internal memory and read over
the PCI bus.
For narrowband signal analysis, the module provides internal digital down-conversion and
decimation. Lowering the sample rate allows longer events to be captured. The module
contains digital resampling filters that allow you to set the sample rate, as well as numerous
preset values associated with common digital communications standards.
Signal routing
A configurable routing matrix provides flexibility in how you interconnect signals on the PXI
backplane and the LVDS front-panel input. Predefined routing scenarios can be selected, or
your own matrix settings stored and recalled.