Aeroflex IFR 4000 Use and care manual

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
Subject to Export Control, see Cover Page for details. Page 1
Jun 1/11
Calibration
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE PAGE
Self Test ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Calibration Test Setup--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Miscellaneous ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
RF Amplitude Levels ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Modulation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
A. Calibration Schedule
The Calibration Procedures should be performed as a result of one or more of the following
conditions:
●Failure to Meet Specifications
If, during the course of normal operation, the Test Set or any major function thereof
fails to meet the performance specifications, the Calibration Procedures should be
performed.
If any failure occurs during performance of the Verification Procedures, the user is
instructed as to the pertinent Calibration Procedure or hardware failure associated with
the failure.
●Module/Assembly Replacement
If one or more of the Test Set assemblies are replaced, the Calibration Procedures
should be performed.
●Annual Calibration
Aeroflex recommends an annual Calibration on the Test Set to maintain proper testing
standards.
Calibration of the TCXO is required annually even if the timebase is within specification.
This helps insure the cumulative effects of aging on the TCXO and ensures the Test Set
stays within specification before the next calibration cycle.
B. Precautions
The Calibration Procedures are performed with the Test Set Covers in place. No internal
adjustments or probing points are required.
C. Requirements
(1) Performance
It is strongly recommended that personnel thoroughly read and understand all steps of
the procedures prior to performing each procedure. Knowledge of external test
equipment connections and operation is also recommended.
(2) Test Equipment
Appendix A contains a list of test equipment suitable for performing the Calibration
Procedures. Other equipment meeting specifications listed in Appendix A may be
substituted in place of the recommended models.
(3) Disassembly
No disassembly is required to perform the Calibration Procedures.
(4) Environment
For best results, environmental conditions should be identical to the conditions at the
normal operating location.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
D. Calibration Procedures
(1) Self Test
TEST EQUIPMENT: None
STEP PROCEDURE
1. Connect Test Set to an appropriate AC power source with the External DC
Power Supply. Press POWER Key ON.
2. Press the SETUP Key to display the Setup Menu.
3. Press the H/W TOOLS Soft Key to display the Hardware Tools Screen.
4. Press the DIAGS Soft Key to display the Diagnostics Screen.
5. Press the SELFTEST Soft Key to display the Self Test Screen.
6. Press the RUN Soft Key to initiate the Self Test.
NOTE: The Self Test cannot be performed until the Test Set has finished the
warm-up cycle. If the user attempts to initiate the Self Test before the
Test Set is ready, the following message is displayed:
Instrument warming up
Please wait xx secs
The message counts down to zero (0) then the Self Test can be
initiated.
7. Verify all tests pass.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
(2) Test Setup
PREREQUISITES: Self Test (para D[1])
TEST EQUIPMENT: Measuring Receiver
Signal Generator
Audio Analyzer
Power Meter
TNC Precision Short (Male)
RF Amplifier (100 W)
20 dB Directional Coupler (N-Type Connector)
20 dB N-Connector Attenuator
15 MHz Low-Pass Filter (N-Type Connector)
250 MHz Low-Pass Filter (N-Type Connector)
450 MHz Low-Pass Filter (N-Type Connector)
10 dB BNC Connector Attenuator
3 dB, 100 W N-Type Connector Attenuator
STEP PROCEDURE
1. Allow 15 minute warm-up for Test Set.
2. Connect the Measuring Receiver to the Signal Generator and calibrate the
Measuring Receiver in Tuned RF Level Mode at the following frequencies
(storing the calibration in the storage location indicated):
1 113.000 MHz 5 400.000 MHz
2 75.000 MHz 6 175.000 MHz
3 225.000 MHz 7 10.000 MHz
4 332.000 MHz 8 25.000 MHz
3. Connect the Measuring Receiver (Modulation Output/Audio Input) to the Audio
Analyzer (High Input). Set the Audio Analyzer to Distortion (DISTN).
4. Press the SETUP Key to display the Setup Menu.
5. Press the H/W TOOLS Soft Key to display the Hardware Tools Screen.
BAT 1.2 Hr
RS 23 2 CA L
HARDWARE T OOLS
RETURN
DIAGS
S /N 99 99 99 99 9
BAT 1.2 Hr
RS232
CA L
HARDWARE T OOLS
RETURN
DIAGS
S /N 99 99 99 99 9
MICRO VER 1.2
MICRO OPT 1
6. If “MICRO VER 1.2 and MICRO OPT 1” are displayed on the Hardware Tools
Screen, perform Steps 7, 8 and 10; otherwise, perform Steps 7, 8 and 9.
7. Press the CAL Soft Key to display the Calibration Screen.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
STEP PROCEDURE
8. Enter password (3524) to display the Calibration Screen.
9. Characterize and record the loss of the Power Meter Calibration Setup
(Figure 1):
Measure the loss (at 200 MHz) between the Signal Generator and the 20 dB
attenuator on the coupled port of the directional coupler. Record as A.
Measure the loss (at 200 MHz) between the Signal Generator and the end of
the coaxial cable going to the RF I/O Connector. Record as B.
Subtract Loss (B) from Loss (A) and record.
Characterize Test Setup:
FREQ A B OFFSET
200 MHz ___________ ___________ ___________
10. Characterize and record the loss of the Power Meter Calibration Setup (2-2-3,
Figure 5):
Measure the loss (at 10, 200 and 400 MHz) between the Signal Generator
and the 20 dB attenuator on the coupled port of the directional coupler.
Record as A.
Measure the loss (at 10, 200 and 400 MHz) between the Signal Generator
and the end of the coaxial cable going to the RF I/O Connector. Record as
B.
Subtract Loss (B) from Loss (A) and record.
Characterize Test Setup:
FREQ A B OFFSET
10 MHz ___________ ___________ ___________
200 MHz ___________ ___________ ___________
400 MHz ___________ ___________ ___________
IFR*4000
SIGNAL*GENERATOR
100*W*AMPLIFIER
DIRECTIONAL
COUPLER
POWER*METER
INPUT OUTPUT
RF*OUT RF *//O
BANDPASS
FILTER
or
LOW-PASS
FILTER
3*dB
ATTENUATOR
20*dB
ATTENUATOR
MEASURE*LOSS
BETWEEN*THESE
POINTS
TEMPORARY*CONNECTION*FOR
SETUP*LOSS*MEASUREMENT
Power Meter Calibration Setup
Figure 1

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
(3) Miscellaneous
PREREQUISITES: Test Setup (para D[2])
TEST EQUIPMENT: Measuring Receiver
Signal Generator
Audio Analyzer
Power Meter
TNC Precision Short (Male)
RF Amplifier (100 W)
20 dB Directional Coupler (N-Type Connector)
20 dB N-Connector Attenuator
250 MHz Low-Pass Filter (N-Type Connector)
10 dB BNC Connector Attenuator
3 dB, 100 W N-Type Connector Attenuator
STEP PROCEDURE
1. From the Calibration Screen, press the MISC CALS Soft Key to enter the MISC
CALS Screen.
TXCO
2. Press the TCXO Soft Key to display the TCXO CAL Sequence Screen.
3. Connect the Signal Generator to the AUX I/O Connector. Set the Signal
Generator for 10.000 MHz, +6 dBm output and no modulation. (The Signal
Generator should have a frequency error of <0.1 PPM.)
4. Press the START Soft Key to begin the TCXO CAL Sequence.
5. When the TCXO CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN Soft
Key to return to the MISC CALS Screen.
6. Disconnect the Signal Generator.
SWR
7. Press the SWR Soft Key to display the SWR CAL Sequence Screen.
8. Connect TNC Short to the SWR Connector.
9. Press the NEXT Soft Key to begin the SWR CAL Sequence and follow the
on-screen prompts.
10. When the SWR CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN Soft Key
to return to the MISC CALS Screen.
POWER METER
11. Press the POWER METER Soft Key to display the POWER METER CAL
Sequence Screen.
12. Connect Test Equipment to Test Set as shown in Figure 1. Using the loss figure
recorded in para D(2) Step 8, input that number as an offset in the Power Meter
and set the Power Meter to read Watts.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
STEP PROCEDURE
13. Follow the on-screen prompts, adjusting the Signal Generator output level to
achieve the Power Meter readings indicated on the Test Set.
CAUTION: USE CAUTION WHEN PERFORMING THE >10 W CALS AS THE
TEST SET IS NOT RATED FOR CONTINUOUS INPUT AT THESE
LEVELS. COMPLETE THESE STEPS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE,
AND REDUCE THE INPUT POWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO
NOT ALLOW THE TEMPERATURE INDICATED ON THE TEST SET
CAL SCREEN TO EXCEED 35 °C. (INPUT POWER MAY NEED TO
BE REDUCED BETWEEN HIGHER LEVEL SETTINGS TO ALLOW
THE POWER TERMINATION TO COOL.)
14. When the POWER METER CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE &
RETURN Soft Key to return to the MISC CAL Screen.
FM
15. Press the FM CAL Soft Key to display the FM CAL Screen.
16. Press the FM DEV Soft Key to display the FM DEV CAL Sequence Screen.
17. Connect the Signal Generator to the ANT Connector. Set the Signal Generator
for 156.000 MHz at -20 dBm with FM Modulation enabled.
18. Follow the on-screen prompts and set the FM deviation on the Signal Generator
as indicated. When changing deviation levels, wait several seconds before
pressing the NEXT Soft Key to allow the 4000 to average the modulation.
19. When the FM DEV CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN Soft
Key to return to the MISC CAL Screen.
20. Press the FM GEN Soft Key to display the FM GEN CAL Sequence Screen.
21. Follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate FM Low.
22. When the FM GEN CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN Soft
Key to return to the FM CAL Screen.
23. Press the RETURN Soft Key to return to the Calibration Screen.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
Subject to Export Control, see Cover Page for details. Page 7
Jun 1/11
(4) RF Amplitude Levels
PREREQUISITES: Test Setup (para D[2])
Miscellaneous (para D[3])
TEST EQUIPMENT: Measuring Receiver w/ Sensor Head
NOTE: Before connecting the Measuring Receiver to the 4000, the following
frequencies should be calibrated and the Tuned RF levels should be saved in
the Measuring Receiver: 10, 25, 75, 113, 225, 332 and 400 MHz.
STEP PROCEDURE
1. From the Calibration Screen, press the AMPLVL CALS Soft Key to enter the
AMPL LEVEL CAL Screen.
MAIN
2. Press the MAIN Soft Key to display the MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence Screen.
3. Connect Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the ANT Connector.
4. Switch between TUNED RF LEVEL and AM on the Measuring Receiver as
necessary. (For AM measurements, use the Peak ±/2 detector, and the 3 kHz
Low-Pass Filter. Use no High Pass filtering.) (For distortion measurements,
use the 80 kHz Low-Pass Filter on the Audio Analyzer. Use no High Pass
filtering.)
5. Follow the on-screen prompts and recall stored calibration levels on the
Measuring Receiver (para D[2], Step 2). For the MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence,
the AM modulation setting error must be <0.5% and the amplitude setting error
must be <0.1 dB.
6. Reference the following:
Step 1 of MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Turn modulation OFF to set and check RF level. Toggling the UUT
Modulation field between OFF and ON and the Measuring Receiver between
AM and TUNED RF LEVEL several times may be required to meet the
requirements of this step.
Step 2 of MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Once the VALUE: field has been set for minimum distortion, use the PREV
Soft Key to return to Step 1. Steps 1 and 2 are interactive; toggling between
the two is required to meet the requirements of the steps.
Steps 3 to 8 of MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Follow the on-screen prompts and recall the necessary calibrations on the
Measuring Receiver.
Steps 9 to 29 of MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Connect the Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the RF I/O Connector.
Steps 30 to 37 of MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Follow the on-screen prompts and recall the necessary calibrations on the
Measuring Receiver. If the frequency prompted on the screen is not already
saved in the Measuring Receiver, press the Measuring Receiver Calibrate
button and allow the cal routine to complete before setting the UUT VALUE:
field.
7. When the MAIN AMPL LEVEL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the AMPL LEVEL CAL Screen.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
STEP PROCEDURE
LOC
8. Press the LOC Soft Key to display the LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence Screen.
9. Connect Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the ANT Connector.
10. Follow the on-screen prompts and recall stored calibration levels on the
Measuring Receiver (para D[2] Step 2). For the LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence,
the AM modulation setting error must be <0.5% and the amplitude setting error
must be <0.1 dB.
11. Reference the following:
Step 1 of LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Turn modulation OFF to set and check RF level. Toggling the UUT
Modulation field between OFF and ON and the Measuring Receiver between
AM and TUNED RF LEVEL several times may be required to meet the
requirements of this step.
Step 2 of LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Once the VALUE: field has been set for minimum distortion, use the PREV
Soft Key to return to Step 1. Steps 1 and 2 are interactive; toggling between
the two is required to meet the requirements of the steps.
12. When the LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the AMPL LEVEL Cal Screen.
MKR
13. Press the MKR Soft Key to display the MKR AMPL LEVEL Sequence Screen.
14. Connect 10 dB Attenuator between Measuring Receiver Sensor Head and ANT
Connector.
15. Follow the on-screen prompts and recall stored calibration levels on the
Measuring Receiver (para D[2] Step 2). For the LOC AMPL LEVEL Sequence,
the AM modulation setting error must be <1% and the amplitude setting error
must be <0.1 dB (taking into account the 10 dB Attenuator).
16. Reference the following:
Step 1 to 2 of MKR AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Turn modulation OFF to set and check RF level. Toggling the UUT
Modulation field between OFF and ON and the Measuring Receiver between
AM and TUNED RF LEVEL several times may be required to meet the
requirements of this step.
Step 3 of MKR AMPL LEVEL Sequence
Select 15 kHz Low-Pass Filter on the Measuring Receiver.
17. When the MKR AMPL LEVEL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the AMPL LEVEL Cal Screen.
18. Press the RETURN Soft Key to return to the Calibration Screen.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
(5) Modulation
PREREQUISITES: Test Setup (para D[2])
Miscellaneous (para D[3])
RF Amplitude Levels (para D[4])
TEST EQUIPMENT: Measuring Receiver w/ Sensor Head
Digital Multimeter (DMM)
STEP PROCEDURE
1. From the Calibration Screen, press the MOD CALS Soft Key to enter the
MODULATION CAL Screen.
VOR
2. Press the VOR Soft Key to display the VOR CAL Sequence Screen.
3. Connect Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the ANT Connector.
4. Select AM on the Measuring Receiver as necessary. (For AM measurements,
use the Peak ±/2 detector, and the 3 kHz Low-Pass Filter. Use no High Pass
filtering.)
5. Follow the on-screen prompts and recall stored calibration levels on the
Measuring Receiver as needed. For the VOR CAL Sequence, the AM modulation
setting error must be <0.5% and the amplitude setting error must be <0.1 dB.
6. Reference the following:
Step 1 of VOR CAL Sequence
Select 3 kHz Low-Pass Filter on the Measuring Receiver.
Step 2 of VOR CAL Sequence
Select 15 kHz Low-Pass Filter on the Measuring Receiver.
Step 3 of VOR CAL Sequence
Select 3 kHz Low-Pass Filter on the Measuring Receiver.
7. When the VOR CAL Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN Soft Key
to return to the MODULATION Cal Screen.
MAIN LOC
8. Press the MAIN LOC Soft Key to display the MAIN PATH LOC Sequence Screen.
9. Connect Digital Multimeter to the AUX I/O Connector. Set DMM to read AC
Volts.
10. Follow the on-screen prompts.
11. When the MAIN PATH LOC Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the MODULATION Cal Screen.
MAIN G/S
12. Press the MAIN G/S Soft Key to display the MAIN PATH G/S Sequence Screen.
13. Connect Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the ANT Connector.
14. Set Measuring Receiver input frequency to 332.000 MHz. (For AM
measurements, use the 3 kHz Low-Pass Filter. Use no High Pass filtering.)
15. Follow the on-screen prompts.
16. When the MAIN PATH G/S Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the MODULATION Cal Screen.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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STEP PROCEDURE
LOC LOC
17. Press the LOC LOC Soft Key to display the LOC PATH LOC Sequence Screen.
18. Connect Measuring Receiver Sensor Head to the ANT Connector.
19. Set Measuring Receiver input frequency to 110.05 MHz. (For AM
measurements, use the 3 kHz Low-Pass Filter. Use no High Pass filtering.)
20. Follow the on-screen prompts.
21. When the LOC PATH LOC Sequence is complete, press the SAVE & RETURN
Soft Key to return to the MODULATION Cal Screen.
22. Press the RETURN Soft Key until the Setup Menu is displayed.
23. Disconnect test equipment from Test Set.

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
APPENDIX A - TEST EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
This Appendix contains a list of test equipment suitable for performing the Calibration Procedures.
Other equipment meeting the specifications of the equipment listed in this Appendix may be
substituted in place of the recommended models.
TYPE MODEL
Adapter, TNC (M) to N-Type (F) N/A
Attenuator, 3 dB, 100 W (N-Type) N/A
Attenuator, 10 dB (BNC) N/A
Attenuator, N-Connector 20 dB N/A
Audio Analyzer HP-8903A or Equivalent
Digital Multimeter Agilent 34401A or Equivalent
Directional Coupler, 20 dB (N-Type) N/A
Low-Pass Filter, 15 MHz (N-Type) N/A
Low-Pass Filter, 250 MHz (N-Type) N/A
Low-Pass Filter, 450 MHz (N-Type) N/A
Measuring Receiver HP-8902A or Equivalent
Measuring Receiver Sensor Module HP-11722A or Equivalent
Power Meter HP-E4418B or Equivalent
Power Sensor HP-E4412A or Equivalent
Precision Short, TNC (M) N/A
RF Amplifier (100 W) N/A
Signal Generator Aeroflex 2023B or Equivalent

CALIBRATION
IFR 4000
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Jun 1/11
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