API Weinschel 420 Series User manual

MANUAL IM672
Operation & Installation Manual Revision C
Operation and Installation Manual
Model 420X Series
Digital Attenuators
This documentation may not be reproduced in any form, for
any purpose unless authorized in writing by Weinschel, a
part of API Technologies Corp.

MANUAL IM672
Table of Contents Page 2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................................2
1. Safety Summary .........................................................................................................................................4
1.1. Definitions ............................................................................................................................................4
1.2. Detailed Precautions..............................................................................................................................4
1.3. Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) .................................................................................................4
2. General Information ....................................................................................................................................5
2.1. Purpose ................................................................................................................................................5
2.2. Equipment Overview .............................................................................................................................5
3. Specifications..............................................................................................................................................5
3.1. Electrical Specifications..........................................................................................................................5
3.2. Timing Specifications .............................................................................................................................5
3.3. 420X Series modules .............................................................................................................................6
3.4. DC Power Input ....................................................................................................................................8
4. Installation and Operation ...........................................................................................................................8
4.1. Mounting ..............................................................................................................................................8
4.2. RF Connectors & Cable Installation.........................................................................................................8
4.3. Control Connectors................................................................................................................................8
4.3.1 AUX mode digital IO (10-pin 0.1” Header)..........................................................................................8
4.3.2 USB Mini-B.......................................................................................................................................9
4.4. USB/AUX Mode Interface Selection.........................................................................................................9
4.5. AUX Interface Modes...........................................................................................................................10
4.5.1 AUX Modes ....................................................................................................................................10
4.5.2 PIO Mode.......................................................................................................................................10
4.5.3 SPI Mode .......................................................................................................................................10
4.5.4 I2C Mode .......................................................................................................................................10
4.5.5 SPI and I2C Attenuation Data Format ..............................................................................................11
4.5.6 UART Mode....................................................................................................................................14
4.6. AUX Application Modes ........................................................................................................................14
4.6.1 PIOSW Mode..................................................................................................................................14
4.6.2 PULSE Mode...................................................................................................................................14
4.6.3 FADE Mode ....................................................................................................................................15
4.6.4 USB Mode AUX pin usage................................................................................................................16
4.6.5 USB ...............................................................................................................................................16
5. Command Operation .................................................................................................................................17
5.1. Command Reference ...........................................................................................................................18
5.2. Application Specific Commands ............................................................................................................18
ATTN ..................................................................................................................................................18
ATTN?.................................................................................................................................................19
STEPSIZE ............................................................................................................................................19
STEPSIZE? ..........................................................................................................................................19
INCR...................................................................................................................................................19
DECR ..................................................................................................................................................19
FADE...................................................................................................................................................20
FADE? .................................................................................................................................................20

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Table of Contents Page 3
5.3. 488.2 Common Commands ..................................................................................................................20
*CLS ...................................................................................................................................................20
*IDN? .................................................................................................................................................20
*OPC?.................................................................................................................................................21
*ESR? .................................................................................................................................................21
*RST...................................................................................................................................................21
*TST? .................................................................................................................................................21
ERR?...................................................................................................................................................21
5.4. Setup and Configuration Commands.....................................................................................................22
SET AUX..............................................................................................................................................22
SET USB..............................................................................................................................................22
SET ALIAS ...........................................................................................................................................22
SET BAUDRATE ...................................................................................................................................23
SET ATTN............................................................................................................................................23
SET I2CADDR ......................................................................................................................................23
SET I2CTRIG .......................................................................................................................................23
SET WPU.............................................................................................................................................23
SET PULSE ..........................................................................................................................................24
SET FADE............................................................................................................................................24
RUN AUX.............................................................................................................................................24
SHOW SET ..........................................................................................................................................25
SHOW VERSION ..................................................................................................................................25
FACTORY PRESET ................................................................................................................................25
5.5. Misc. Commands .................................................................................................................................26
ALIAS? ................................................................................................................................................26
ATTNIO...............................................................................................................................................26
ATTNIO? .............................................................................................................................................26
CONSOLE ............................................................................................................................................26
CONSOLE? ..........................................................................................................................................27
DELAY.................................................................................................................................................27
REBOOT..............................................................................................................................................27
REPEAT...............................................................................................................................................27
RFCONFIG? .........................................................................................................................................28
RUN LOADER.......................................................................................................................................28
SYSTEST .............................................................................................................................................28
6. USB Driver Installation ..............................................................................................................................30
6.1. awusbcdc.inf Installation File ...............................................................................................................33
6.2. Updating the 420X Firmware using USB HID Bootloader ........................................................................35
6.2.1 Method 1 .......................................................................................................................................36
6.2.2 Method 2 .......................................................................................................................................36
7. Factory Service and Repairs .......................................................................................................................40
8. Contacting Weinschel ................................................................................................................................41
8.1. Manufacturer Warranty........................................................................................................................41
9. Revision History ........................................................................................................................................42

MANUAL IM672
Safety Summary Page 4
1. Safety Summary
1.1. Definitions
The following definitions apply to WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, and NOTICES may found throughout this manual.
WARNING: An operating or maintenance procedure, practice, statement, condition, etc., which, if not strictly
observed, could result in injury and/or death of personnel. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING symbol until all the
indicated conditions have been fully understood and/or met.
CAUTION: An operating or maintenance procedure, practice, statement, condition, etc., which, if not strictly
observed, could result in damage or destruction of the equipment or long-term health hazards to personnel. Do not
proceed beyond a CAUTION symbol until all the indicated conditions have been fully understood and/or met.
NOTICE: An essential operating or maintenance procedure, condition, or statement that must be highlighted.
1.2. Detailed Precautions
The following WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTES appear throughout the text of this manual and are repeated
here for emphasis.
All procedures and/or steps identified as must be followed exactly as written and according to
industry accepted ESDS device handling procedures. Failure to comply may result in ESD
damage.
1.3. Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS)
The equipment documented in this manual contains certain Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) components
or parts. Therefore, certain procedures/steps are identified by the use of the symbol . This symbol is used in
two ways:
When the ESDS symbol is placed between a paragraph and title, that paragraph, including all
subparagraphs, is considered ESDS device handling procedure.
When the ESDS symbol is placed between a procedure/step number and the text, all of that procedure is
considered an ESDS device handling procedure.
All procedures and/or steps identified as ESDS must be followed exactly as written and according to accepted ESDS
device handling procedures. Failure to comply may result in ESDS damage

MANUAL IM672
General Information Page 5
2. General Information
2.1. Purpose
This manual contains setup and operation information for the Weinschel Model 420X series, Solid State
Programmable Attenuators. This manual is to be used in conjunction with the operation and installation of the
Model 420X Series. The manual also provides a description of the assembly and general maintenance procedures.
2.2. Equipment Overview
The 420X series Solid State Programmable Attenuators provide for control via either USB or a variety of digital
interfaces through the AUX mode connector, including parallel input (PIO), I2C, SPI, or a logic-level UART interface.
AUX mode selection is done via a USB command and can be changed by the user.
3. Specifications
The electrical and timing specifications of model 420X are listed below. Refer to appropriate ICD drawings for more
specifications about each module.
3.1. Electrical Specifications
Parameter
Min
Typical
Max
Comments
DC Power (AUX pin 9)
VDC Supply Voltage
3.3V
5V
16V
Supply voltage 3.5V MIN for full spec
compliance
IDC Supply Current (VDC=5V)
15mA
25mA
AUX IO
Note: All AUX IO have weak pullups enabled by default
VIH Input High Voltage
VDC= 3.3V to 4.5V
VDC= 4.5V to 16V
2.0V
VDC+0.3
2.0V
5.0V
VIL Input Low Voltage
VDC= 3.3V to 4.5V
VDC= 4.5V to 16V
-0.3V
0.15VDC
-0.3V
0.8V
VOH Output High Voltage
2.6V
ILOAD = 3mA
VOL Output Low Voltage
0.6V
ILOAD = 3mA
IPU Pullup Current
25uA
130uA
300uA
User selectable
USB
USB Supply Voltage (VBUS)
4.4V
5.25V
D+/D- Input Voltage
3.6V
3.2. Timing Specifications
Parameter
Min
Typ
Max
Comments
General
RF switching speed
Model 4205A
400ns
Model 4209
35ns
10% RF to 90% RF
Model 4204
1µs
10% RF to 90% RF
Power up time
50ms
DC power to first command
Attenuation update rate
Model 4205A
200KHz
Model 4209
100KHz
Command processing time
2ms
USB mode
PIO mode

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Specifications Page 6
Parameter
Min
Typ
Max
Comments
PIO input change to RF
change
Model 4205A
3µs
5µs
Model 4209
3µs
10µs
Model 4204
8µs
50% CTRL to 90% RF
PIOSW input change to RF
Model 4205A
1µs
Single line input
Model 4209
5µs
Single line input
SPI mode
SCLK clock frequency
10MHz
SSN setup/hold time
100ns
SSN falling/rising edge to SCLK
SDI data setup time
25ns
SDI to SCLK rising edge
I2C mode
SCL clock frequency
400KHz
RESETN width
10µs
RESETN low pulse width (optional)
TRIG
1µs
TRIG input, rising/falling edge
(optional)
UART mode
Baud rate
9600
115K
3.3. 420X Series modules
Figure-1 shows the 4205A series module.
Figure-1: 4205A Series attenuator

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Specifications Page 7
Figure-2 shows the 4209 series module.
Figure-2:4209 Series Attenuator
Figure-3 shows the 4204 series module.
Figure-3: 4204 Series Attenuator

MANUAL IM672
Installation and Operation Page 8
3.4. DC Power Input
The 420X series attenuators can be powered from either the USB VBUS (5V) or the AUX VDC input. While USB
operates at a nominal 4.75V-5.25V range, the AUX VDC supply input can accept a wider range of voltage, from
3.3V-16VDC. If both AUX power and USB VBUS are present then the device will be powered from whichever provides
the higher voltage. For AUX VDC voltages < 5V the input logic signals are limited to the VDC supply voltage.
Otherwise, input logic signals are limited to a max voltage of 5V.
4. Installation and Operation
4.1. Mounting
The 420X Attenuator is supplied with 12 mounting holes. Refer to the appropriate Weinschel Specification/ICD
drawing for the mounting hole dimensions and locations.
When applying a signal to the RF connectors, DO NOT exceed the maximum allowable power
level specifications of the unit.
Do not over torque the SMA connectors more than 10 inch pounds. Damage may occur.
4.2. RF Connectors & Cable Installation
The Model 4205A series contains two SMA female connectors labeled J1 and J2 that mate nondestructively with
SMA male connectors per MIL-STD-39012. The Model 4209 series modules are available with 2.92 mm, 2.4 mm,
or SMA female connectors and the 4204 series module generally comes with type F 75Ω female connectors. Refer
to appropriate ICD to determine the type of connectors for a given part number. Weinschel recommends a torque
value of 7 to 8 inch pounds when connecting any cable to the attenuator's RF connectors.
4.3. Control Connectors
4.3.1 AUX mode digital IO (10-pin 0.1” Header)
A variety of control interfaces can be used with the AUX Connector. Options include Parallel IO, I2C, SPI, UART,
and USB. The SET AUX command allows the user to select the control interface for the AUX Connector. The table
below describes the pinouts for the various control modes.
4205A and 4 204 Series
PIN
SIGNAL
PIO
I2C
SPI
UART
USB
4205A-31.5
4205A-63.5
4205A-95.5*
& 4204-95.5
4205A-
127*
1
D0
0.25dB
0.25dB
0.5dB
0.5dB
A0
2
D1
0.5dB
0.5dB
1dB
1dB
A1

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Installation and Operation Page 9
4205A and 4 204 Series
PIN
SIGNAL
PIO
I2C
SPI
UART
USB
4205A-31.5
4205A-63.5
4205A-95.5*
& 4204-95.5
4205A-
127*
3
D2
1dB
1dB
2dB
2dB
A2
RXD
4
D3
2dB
2dB
4dB
4dB
A3
TXD
5
D4
4dB
4dB
8dB
8dB
TRIG
SSN
6
D5
8dB
8dB
16dB
16dB
RESETN
SCLK
7
D6
16dB
16dB
32dB
32dB
SCL
SDI
8
D7
--
32dB
32dB
64dB
SDA
BOOTN
9
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
10
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
*0.25dB accessible in serial or USB modes
4209 Series
PIN
SIGNAL
PIO
I2C
SPI
UART
USB
4209-31.5
4209-63
4209-94.5
1
D0
0.5dB
0.5dB
0.5dB
A0
2
D1
1dB
1dB
1dB
A1
3
D2
2dB
2dB
2dB
A2
RXD
4
D3
4dB
4dB
4dB
A3
TXD
5
D4
8dB
8dB
8dB
TRIG
SSN
6
D5
16dB
16dB
16dB
RESETN
SCLK
7
D6
--
32dB
32dB
SCL
SDI
8
D7
--
--
32dB
SDA
BOOTN
9
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
VDC
10
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
4.3.2 USB Mini-B
The table below describes the pinouts of the USB connector.
PIN
SIGNAL
DESCRIPTION
1
VBUS
+5V
2
D-
Data-
3
D+
Data+
4
ID
unused
5
GND
Ground
4.4. USB/AUX Mode Interface Selection
The main operating mode of the 420X is determined from the DC Power input. At power on the USB connector
VBUS pin is examined, and if detected then the unit will operate in USB mode. Otherwise the UUT will operate in
one of the digital AUX modes powered via the AUX VDC power input. It is allowable to have both cables connected
at the same time.
If an AUX mode is currently active the unit will detect a USB connect event and switch over to USB mode
automatically.
Typically you would return to AUX mode by disconnecting the USB cable (or removing USB power). The USB
command RUN AUX also allows switching from USB mode to an AUX mode via command, and does not require the

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Installation and Operation Page 10
AUX connector VDC power to be present. This is usefully in certain AUX application modes (see PULSE and FADE
modes).
4.5. AUX Interface Modes
4.5.1 AUX Modes
There are four user-selectable digital interface AUX modes: PIO, I2C, SPI, and UART. In addition there are three
AUX application modes (PIOSW, PULSE, and FADE) that allow the generation of RF patterns when operating stand-
alone. The AUX mode selection is done via USB command (see SET AUX) and is stored in non-volatile memory
(NVM) so that changes to the mode will be automatically applied at startup. The AUX digital interface pins vary in
function depending on the selected mode. Each pin can have a software programmable weak pullup assigned,
which is enabled by default for all pins (see SET WPU). The weak pullup will provide a logic high to the pin if left
unconnected.
4.5.2 PIO Mode
In PIO mode there are up to eight parallel digital input signals, D0-D7. Each input represents a dB value setting,
with a logic low input = 0dB setting and a logic high = dB value for each control input as shown in the PIO column
of the J1 AUX mode table.
4.5.3 SPI Mode
SPI mode is a serial interface that operates as a 16-bit serial-in shift register and latch comprised of three signals:
SSN low-active chip select, SCLK serial shift clock, and SDI serial data in. Data present on the SDI input is clocked
into the shift register on the rising edge of SCLK. Data is comprised of a single 8-bit value for the 31.5dB, 63.5dB
models along with model 4209-95.5 dB. Data is comprised of 16-bits, organized into two bytes, for the 4205A-
95.5dB and 4205A-127dB models which provides access to the 9th 0.25dB bit. Serial data is clocked in MSB first to
LSB and must be in multiples of 8-bits. SSN must be asserted low before sending data to the attenuator, allowing
multiple attenuators to be controlled via the same SCLK and SDI signals. Attenuation changes are updated on the
rising edge of SSN after all data bits have been clocked in.
Note that all models will accept 16-bits of programming data. The data should be left-justified in the 16-bit word
so that the MSB is the first bit sent and any unused bits should be set to 0. The first byte represents the D7-D0
values shown in the PIO mode table. The first bit of the second byte ('D-1') represents the 0.25dB value for the
4205A-95.5 and 4205A-127. Refer to the Attenuation Data Format section for examples on formatting 16-bit data.
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
SSN
SCLK
SDI D-1 D-2 0 0 0 0 0 0
MSB LSB OPTIONAL 2ND BYTE
(0.25dB FOR 4205A-95.5)
4.5.4 I2C Mode
I2C mode is a serial interface that uses two lines: SCL serial clock and SDA serial data, along with the optional
controls RESETN, TRIG, and address bits A3-A0. Both the SCL and SDA connections are bidirectional open-drain
lines, each requiring pull-up resistors to the logic supply voltage (5V max).