Agilent Technologies N5507A Application guide

Agilent Technologies
Agilent N5507A
Microwave
Downconverter
Hardware Reference
First edition, June 2004

Notices
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Manual Part Number
N5507-90001
Edition
Firstedition, June2004
Printed in USA
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Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It callsattention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if notcorrectlyperformed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice untiltheindicated
conditionsare fullyunderstoodand
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotesa
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formedor adhered to, couldresult
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fullyunderstoodandmet.

Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 3
Contents
1GeneralInformation
Overview 8
Figure 1. N5507A microwave downconverter 8
Front-PanelInterfaces 9
Figure 2. N5507A front panel 9
ACT (STATUS) 9
AM NOISE(OUTPUT) 9
ERR (STATUS) 10
IF (OUTPUT) 10
LSN (GPIB) 10
POWER 10
RF ANALYZER (OUTPUT) 11
RMT (GPIB) 11
SIGNAL (INPUT) 11
SRQ(GPIB) 12
TLK (GPIB) 12
mW LO (OUTPUT) 12
mW LO (OUTPUT) 13
VOLTAGE CONTROL (INPUT) 13
Rear-PanelInterfaces 14
Figure 3. N5507A rear panel 14
10MHzIN 14
10MHzOVENOUT 15
100 MHz OUT: -2 dBm 15
100 MHz OUT: +8 dBm 15
600 MHz OUT: 0 dBm 16
600 MHz OUT: +20 dBm 16
Buffered 10 MHz Out 16
GPIB 16
IF LEVEL 16
Power Connector(~ LINE) 17
MULTIPLEXER: OUT 17
SPECTRUM ANALYZER: IN 17
TUNE SPAN OUT 17

4Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
2 Technical Data
Specifications 20
Table 1.Environmental andmechanicalspecifications 20
Table2.RFspecifications 20
Spectral Purity 21
Configuration 1: all oscillatorslocked 21
Table 3.Configuration1: all oscillatorslocked 21
Configuration 2: 100 and 600 MHz oscillators locked 22
Table 4.Configuration 2: 100 and 600 MHz oscillators locked 22
Configuration 3: 600 MHz free-running oscillator 23
Table5.Configuration3: 600 MHz free-running oscillator 23
RF input supplemental characteristics 24
Table6.RFinput supplementalcharacteristics 24
IF Output 25
Table7.IF output specifications 25
Mixingspurious signals 25
Table8.Mixing spurious 25
IF output supplemental characteristics 26
Table 9. IF output supplemental characteristics 26
Local Oscillator 27
Table 10. Local oscillator specifications 27
Table 11.Local oscillatorsupplemental characteristics 27
AM Noise Detection 28
Table 12. AM noisedetection specifications 28
Table 13.AM detector noise floorspecifications(+15 dBm) 28
Power Requirements 29
Table 14. N5507A power supply requirements 29
Power line module 29
Fuse 29
3MicrowaveSource
General Specifications 32
Table 15.Environmental andmechanical specifications 32
RFOutput 33
Table16.RFoutputspecifications 33
Spectral Purity 33
Configuration 1: all oscillatorslocked 34
Table 17.Source configuration 1: all oscillatorslocked 34
Configuration 2: 100 and 600 MHz oscillators locked 35

Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 5
Table 18. Source configuration 2: 100 and 600 MHz oscillators locked 35
Configuration 3: 600 MHz free-running oscillator 36
Table 19.Source configuration 3: 600 MHz free-running oscillator 36
AM Noise 37
Table 20.AM detector noise floorspecifications(+10 dBm) 37
Table 21. AM noise supplemental characteristics 37
Maximum output power 38
Figure 4.AM noise maximum output power 38
Output supplementalcharacteristics 38
Figure 5. 10 MHz output typical performance 38
Figure 6. 100 MHz output typical performance 39
Figure 7. 600 MHz output typical performance 39
4 Preventive Maintenance
Using, Inspecting,and CleaningRF Connectors 42
Repeatability 42
RF cable andconnectorcare 42
Proper connector torque 43
Table22.Properconnectortorque 43
Connector wear and damage 43
SMAconnectorprecautions 44
Cleaning procedure 44
Table 23.CleaningSuppliesAvailable from Agilent 45
General ProceduresandTechniques 46
Figure 8. GPIB, 3.5 mm, Type-N, power sensor, and BNC connectors 46
Connector removal 47
Instrument Removal 49
Half-Rack-Width instrument 49
Figure9.Instrument lock links, front and rear 50
Benchtop instrument 50
Instrument Installation 51
Half-Rack-Width instrument 51
Benchtop instrument 52

6Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference

7
N5507A Microwave Downconverter
Hardware Reference
Agilent Technologies
1
General Information
Overview 8
Front-PanelInterfaces 9
Rear-PanelInterfaces 14

8Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information
Overview
The Agilent N5507A microwave downconverter is part of the Agilent E5505A
Phase Noise Measurement System It is a half-rack-width System II unit The
N5507A downconverter translates microwave signals to RF frequencies with
minimal phase and AM noise contribution State-of-the-art phase noise
performance gives the user t he capability to lower the microwave noise floor of
the phase noise measurement system
The N5507A accepts signals between 5 MHz and 26 5 GHz at levels from –30
dBm to +30 dBm Signals above 1 5 GHz are mixed with an internal low-noise
oscillator (LO), which tunes by 600 MHz steps, resulting in an intermediate
frequency (IF) between 300 and 900 MHz The input signal goes from the
SIGNAL connector to a 0 to 35 dB step attenuator (5 dB steps) before being
mixed with the LO An adjustable IF amplifier follows the mixer The gain
range of the IF amplifier is –10 to 45 dB in 5 dB steps Input signals below
1 5 GHz, go through the input attenuator and to the IF amplifier, bypassing the
mixer
The N5507A can also serve as a source in the E5505A system It includes the
functionality of the Agilent N5508A microwave source As a source, the unit
can be tuned to a specific frequency and power (When the unit serves as a
downconverter, the internal source hardware functions as an LO ) Chapter 3
contains specifications for the N5507A as a source For instructions on using it
as a source, refer to the E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System User’s
Guide
Figure 1 N5507A microwave downconverter

General Information 1
Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 9
Front-Panel Interfaces
This section describes the function of the front-panel interfaces on the
N5507A downconverter Figure 2 shows the front panel The interface
descriptions appear in alphabetical order
ACT (STATUS)
This LED is not used for phase noise measurement
AM NOISE (OUTPUT)
The signal at this connector is the output of the downconverter’s RF AM
detector or the IF AM detector The downconverter has an AM noise mode that
routes the input signal to an input attenuator and then to an RF AM detector
The detected output is routed to the AM NOISE connector
Figure 2 N5507A front panel
n5507a_front_pnl
27 Apr 04 rev 1
+23 dBm
OUTPUT POWER
PO IBLE
+30 dBm
OUTPUT POWER
PO IBLE
AM NOI E
OUTPUT
RF ANALYZER
2.4 - 25.8 GHz
W LOIF
5 -1500 MHz10 VOLT MAX
CONTROL
VOLTAGE
5 MHz - 26.5 GHz
IGNAL
INPUT
RMT L N TLK RQ ERRACT
TATUGPIB
ATTENUATOR
+30 dBm MAX WITH
+10 dBm + ATTEN
MAXIMUM POWER
0 VDC MAX
IGNAL INPUT
POWER
N5507A 5 MHz -26.5 GHz
Microwave Downconverter
NOTE Some interfaces onthe front and rear panelsare not used for phase noise measurement,as
their descriptions indicate.Their primary function is forfactory testing andtroubleshooting.

10 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information
Characteristics (RF AM detector only)
•Output impedance: ~500 Ω, but designed to drive a 50 Ω load
•Output bandwidth: 1 Hz to 40 MHz into a 50 Ω load
ERR (STATUS)
The error message LED illuminates when a communication error occurs and
indicates that an error message is available
IF (OUTPUT)
The signal at this connector is the downconverter’s output
Limits
•Nominal output level: 0 to +5 dBm (input signal ≥ –30 dBm)
•Maximum output level: +15 dBm
•Frequency (RF input 5 to 1500 MHz): 5 to 1500 MHz
•Frequency (RF input 5 to 26 5 GHz): 300 to 900 MHz
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
LSN (GPIB)
The listen LED illuminates when the system addresses the instrument to
listen
POWER
This switch puts the instrument in active operation or standby mode It is a
standby switch and not a LINE switch The detachable power cord is the
instrument’s disconnecting device It disconnects the mains circuits from the
mains supply before other parts of the instrument or system
NOTE The IF amplifiersfrequencyresponse startsrolling off above1200 MHz.Avoid usingIF
frequency between 1200 and 1500 MHz.

General Information 1
Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 11
RF ANALYZER (OUTPUT)
The signal at this connector is the output of the tunable source
Limits
•Frequency: 2 4 to 26 5 GHz
•Level (2 4 to 6 6 GHz): 0 to +16 dBm
•Level (>6 6 GHz to 2 58 GHz): 0 to +10 dBm
•Level (>25 8 GHz to 26 5 GHz): 0 to +7 dBm
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
Operating considerations
•The level setting resolution is 0 1 dB, but the actual level change for a 0 1 dB
change in the entered level can be as much as 0 2 dB
•You can vary the unit’s RF output by approximately +3 dB to –10 dB by
varying the signal generator’s carrier level
RMT (GPIB)
The remote indicator LED illuminates when the unit is enabled for GPIB
control
SIGNAL (INPUT)
This connector accepts the input signal for the downconverter
Limits
•Frequency: 5 MHz to 26 5 GHz
•Maximum signal level: +30 dBM
Characteristics
•Input impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical return loss: 10 dB
•Mixer compression point: –10 dBm

12 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information
Operating considerations
Optimum mixer input level depends on the application The level is set by
adjusting the input signal level and setting the internal input attenuators For
making noise measurements, use the highest level above the noise floor For
applications such as AM measurement, where distortion is important, the
signal should be as far below the mixer compression point as possible
SRQ(GPIB)
The service request LED illuminates when the instrument requests service
TLK (GPIB)
The talk indicator LED illuminates when the system addresses the instrument
to talk
µW LO (OUTPUT)
N5507A as downconverter An IF signal from 5 MHz to 1 2 GHz is available at
this connector The µW LO output is connected to an external mixer’s LO
input One of the harmonics generated by the mixer combines with the input
signal to produce the IF signal output The signal can drive the comb generator
of an external mmWave harmonic mixer
Limits
•Frequency range: 2 4 to 6 8 GHz, in 600 MHz steps
•Output power (2 4 to 6 6 GHz): 0 to +16 dBm
•Output power (7 2 to 25 8 GHZ): 0 to +10 dBm
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω

General Information 1
Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 13
mW LO (OUTPUT)
N5507A as source The signal at this connector is the source’s output
Limits
Frequency range: 2 4 to 25 8 GHz, in 600 MHz steps
Output power (2 4 to 6 6 GHz): 0 to +16 dBm
Output power (7 2 to 25 8 GHZ): 0 to +10 dBm
Characteristics
Output impedance: 50 W
VOLTAGE CONTROL(INPUT)
This connector accepts an external tuning voltage from the phase noise test set
for the 10, 100, or 600 MHz oscillators
Limits
•Maximum voltage: ±10 V
•Maximum frequency shift (10 MHz): ±0 25 ppm
•Maximum frequency shift (100 MHz): ±5 ppm
•Maximum frequency shift (600 MHz): ±100 ppm
Characteristics
•Input impedance: 100 kΩ

14 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information
Rear-Panel Interfaces
This section describes the function of the rear-panel connectors in
alphabetical order Figure 3 shows the rear panel
10 MHz IN
This connector accepts a 10 MHz reference signal for the unit’s phase lock
loops It is normally jumpered to the 10 MHz OVEN OUT connector
Limits and characteristics
•Level range: +7 to +13 dBm
•Input impedance: 50 Ω
Operating considerations
Noise and other impurities on a signal applied to this input will show up on
the output The amount of noise and impurities passed through depends on
the tuning sensitivity
Figure 3 N5507A rear panel
n5507a_rear_pnl
27 Apr 04 rev 1
GPIB
OUT
MULTIPLEXER
IN
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
TUNE SPAN
OUT
IF
LEVEL
10 MHz OVEN
OUT 10 MHz IN +8 dBm -2 dBm
BUFFERED
10 MHz OUT +20 dBm
600 MHz OUT
0 dBm
LABEL
SERIAL NUMBER
154258
ICES/NMB-001
ISM GRP.1 CLASS A
N10149
FUSE: T 3.15 A 250 V
100 MHz OUT
115 V/3 A
230 V/2 A
50/60 Hz
LINE
SEE USERS MANUAL

General Information 1
Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 15
10 MHz OVEN OUT
The signal at this connector is the output of the 10 MHz ovenized crystal
reference oscillator It is normally jumpered to the 10 MHz IN connector
Characteristics
•Typical output power: +13 dBm
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
Operating considerations
External tuning: Tune this signal by applying a voltage to the VOLTAGE
CONTROL connector
100 MHz OUT: -2 dBm
The signal at this connector is an output of the 100 MHz reference oscillator
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical output power: –2 dBm
Operating considerations
External tuning: Tune this signal by applying a voltage to the VOLTAGE
CONTROL connector
100 MHz OUT: +8 dBm
The signal at this connector is an output of the 100 MHz oscillator
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical output power: +8 dBm
Operating considerations
External tuning: Tune this signal by applying a voltage to the VOLTAGE
CONTROL connector

16 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information
600 MHz OUT: 0 dBm
The signal at this connector is an output of the 600 MHz Output oscillator
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical output power: 0 dBm
Operating considerations
External tuning: Tune this frequency by applying a voltage to the VOLTAGE
CONTROL connector
600 MHz OUT: +20 dBm
The signal at this connector is an output of the 600 MHz oscillator
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical output power: +20 dBm
Operating considerations
External tuning: Tune this signal by applying a voltage to the VOLTAGE
CONTROL connector
Buffered 10 MHz Out
The signal at this connector is the signal at the rear-panel 10 MHz IN connector
after it has been buffered by an amplifier
Characteristics
•Output impedance: 50 Ω
•Typical output power: +7 dBm
GPIB
GPIB communication between the downconverter and the system occurs
through this connection
IF LEVEL
This output connector is not used for phase noise measurement

General Information 1
Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference 17
Power Connector (~ LINE)
This is the connection for the AC power cord The detachable power cord is the
instrument’s disconnecting device It disconnects the mains circuits from the
mains supply before other parts of the instrument or system For information
on power requirements, see “Specifications" on page 20
MULTIPLEXER: OUT
This connector is not used for phase noise measurement
SPECTRUM ANALYZER: IN
This connector is used to route the downconverter’s IF signal to an RF
spectrum analyzer
TUNESPANOUT
This connector is not used for phase noise measurement

18 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
1General Information

19
N5507A Microwave Downconverter
Hardware Reference
Agilent Technologies
2
Technical Data
Specifications 20
Configuration1:all oscillatorslocked 21
IF Output 25
Local Oscillator 27
AM Noise Detection 28
Power Requirements 29

20 Agilent N5507A Hardware Reference
2Technical Data
Specifications
This section contains environmental, mechanical, and RF specifications and
characteristics for the N5507A downconverter It also includes specifications
for LO and AM noise detection, and power requirements for the unit
Specifications describe the instrument’s warranted performance and apply
after the warm-up period These specifications are valid over the instrument’s
operating/environmental range unless otherwise noted
Supplemental Characteristics provide additional information that is useful
for operating the instrument by giving typical (expected), but not warranted,
performance parameters
Table 1 Environmental and mechanical specifications
Altitude Upto 2,000 meters (6,500 ft)
Operatingtemperature range +0 °Cto+45 °C (41°F to 110 °F)
Warm-up time 20 minutes
Maximum relative humidity 80% for temperatures up to 31 °C, decreasing linearly
to 50% relative humidity at 40 °C.
Height 177.2 mm (7 in)
Width 212.5 mm (8.4 in)
Depth 574.3 mm (22.6 in)
Weight ~ 34lbs (15.5 kg)
Table 2 RF specifications
Frequency Range:
•Downconversion to IF from 300 and
900 MHz
•AM detection and input attenuator
•IF amplification
1.5to 26.5 GHz
5 MHz to 26.5 GHz
5 MHz to 1.5 GHz
Input Power +30dBm max
–30 dBmmin(phasenoisefloordegreesif<0 dBm)
Mixer Linearity ±0.4 dB mixer input
–5dBmLOpowercontrolinlinear mode
Input attenuator 0 to 35 dB (5 dB steps)
Spectral Purity See “Spectral Purity" on page 21.