BNC 825-M User manual

User Manual v3.03 (Dec 2020)
For Signal Generators
Models 825-M, 835, 845, 845-M, 855B,
865, 865-M

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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MANUFACTURER ADDRESS
Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
2955 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael, California
USA
Tel.: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.Berkeleynucleonics.com
WARRANTY
All Berkeley Nucleonics (BNC) instruments are warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of
two years from the date of shipment. Berkeley Nucleonics will, at its option, repair or replace products that prove to be
defective during the warranty period, provided they are returned to Berkeley Nucleonics and provided the preventative
maintenance procedures are followed. Repairs necessitated by misuse of the product are not covered by this warranty.
No other warranties are expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. Berkeley Nucleonics is not liable for consequential damages. The warranty on the internal
rechargeable batteries (option B3) is one year from the date of shipment. Battery replacement is available through
Berkeley Nucleonics and its distributors.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
COPYRIGHT
This manual is copyright by Berkeley Nucleonics and all rights are reserved. No portion of this document may be
reproduced, copied, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated in any form or by any means
such as electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without written permission of
Berkeley Nucleonics.

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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Table of Contents
GENERAL REMARKS ................................................................................................................................................5
VALIDITY OF THIS MANUAL ...................................................................................................................................... 5
AVAILABLECASING.................................................................................................................................................. 5
Compact Portable Case (CPC)....................................................................................................................... 5
1U Rackmount (1URM)................................................................................................................................. 5
1U Case (1URM)............................................................................................................................................ 6
Desktop Case (LH)......................................................................................................................................... 6
DATA CONNECTIONS............................................................................................................................................... 7
SIGNAL CONNECTIONS............................................................................................................................................. 7
TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................................................. 7
SAFETY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................... 8
SIGNAL SYMBOL..................................................................................................................................................... 8
LABELS ON PRODUCTS ............................................................................................................................................. 8
GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................................................... 9
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................................10
DIMENSIONS....................................................................................................................................................... 10
CPC .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
1URM .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
CONNECTORS....................................................................................................................................................... 10
CPC .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
1URM - 845 ................................................................................................................................................. 13
1URM – 855B / 865-M ................................................................................................................................ 14
CPC with Touch display............................................................................................................................... 15
Desktop....................................................................................................................................................... 17
MINIMUM DISTANCES .......................................................................................................................................... 18
ENERGIZING AND DE-ENERGIZING........................................................................................................................... 19
PROPER OPERATION CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................ 21
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION............................................................................................................................. 21
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................................22
INCLUDED MATERIAL ............................................................................................................................................ 22
GENERAL FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS (MODEL OVERVIEW).......................................................................................... 22
OPTIONS............................................................................................................................................................. 23
GETTING STARTED.................................................................................................................................................24
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................................................ 24

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
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UNPACKING THE INSTRUMENT................................................................................................................................ 24
INITIAL INSPECTION............................................................................................................................................... 24
STARTING THE INSTRUMENT................................................................................................................................... 24
Applying Power .......................................................................................................................................... 24
Connecting to LAN ...................................................................................................................................... 24
Direct connectivity to host via Ethernet cable (no router) ........................................................................ 25
Connecting through USB ............................................................................................................................ 25
Connecting through GPIB ........................................................................................................................... 25
Installing the 845 Remote Client................................................................................................................ 25
Troubleshooting the LAN Interconnection................................................................................................. 25
Shutting Down the Signal Generator......................................................................................................... 26
USING THE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) ................................................................................................... 27
START THE SIGNAL GENERATOR (SG) GUI................................................................................................................ 27
GENERAL LOOK .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Simultaneously controlling Multiple Signal Generators from one PC....................................................... 28
Store and Load Instrument States.............................................................................................................. 28
Setting Network Configuration.................................................................................................................. 29
Multi-Session Option .................................................................................................................................. 29
Device Port Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to devices using a non-default port........................................................................................ 30
Setting the GPIB Address............................................................................................................................ 31
PERFORM FIRMWARE UPGRADE ............................................................................................................................. 31
MULTI-OUTPUT GUI CONTROL .............................................................................................................................. 31
COMBINED MODULATION...................................................................................................................................... 32
LOCAL OPERATION VIA FRONT PANEL .................................................................................................................34
DISPLAYED PARAMETER FORMATS .......................................................................................................................... 35
CW DISPLAY ....................................................................................................................................................... 35
Main Menu Display .................................................................................................................................... 36
Frequency Sweep Submenu........................................................................................................................ 36
Power Sweep Submenu.............................................................................................................................. 37
List Sweep Submenu................................................................................................................................... 37
MODULATION SUBMENU....................................................................................................................................... 38
Pulse Modulation Submenu ....................................................................................................................... 38
Amplitude Modulation Submenu............................................................................................................... 38
Frequency Modulation Submenu ............................................................................................................... 38
Phase Modulation Submenu ...................................................................................................................... 38

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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REFERENCE SUBMENU........................................................................................................................................... 39
TRIGGER SUBMENU .............................................................................................................................................. 39
LF OUTPUT SUBMENU ........................................................................................................................................ 39
LAN CONFIGURATION SUBMENU............................................................................................................................ 40
DISPLAY SETTINGS SUBMENU ................................................................................................................................. 40
Save Settings Submenu .............................................................................................................................. 40
Load Settings Submenu .............................................................................................................................. 40
Load Defaults Submenu.............................................................................................................................. 40
HELP SUBMENU ................................................................................................................................................... 40
REMOTE PROGRAMMING THE SIGNAL GENERATOR........................................................................................... 41
BATTERY OPERATION (B3 OPTION) ......................................................................................................................42
EXTENDED POWER RANGE (PE3 OPTIONS) .......................................................................................................... 44
MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION................................................................................................45
ADJUSTMENTS AND CALIBRATION ........................................................................................................................... 45
REPAIR ............................................................................................................................................................... 45
WARRANTY INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 45
EQUIPMENT RETURNS ........................................................................................................................................... 45

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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General Remarks
The devices described in this manual are signal generators that produce electromagnetic signals from 9 kHz up
to 40 GHz with a power from -90 dBm up to +25 dBm. The exact range depends on the chosen device model
and options. The devices can produce different types of modulations, such as AM, FM, PM Pulse or Chirp.
They can be used in a variety of applications such as research and development or manufacturing and testing
of electronic components.
Options, such as a 1URM Case, an intern rechargeable battery, a GPIB interface or different types of power
range extensions can be added.
Validity of this Manual
This manual is valid for the following devices and theirs extended versions:
•835-4, 835-6
•845-12, 20, 26
•865-6, 12, 20, 26, 40
•825-M, 845-M, 865-M
•845-M-X, 865-M-X
•855B-6-X, 12-X, 20-X, 33-X, 40-X
Available Casing
The devices are available in the following cases.
Compact Portable Case (CPC)
Figure 1: 845-26 & 865-40 in a Compact Portable Case (with LCD and touch display, respectively)
1U Rackmount (1URM)
Figure 2: 845-26 in a 1URM Case

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
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1U Case (1URM)
Figure 3: 855B-XX-4 (and 865-M-40-4) in a 1URM case
Desktop Case (LH)
Figure 4: 845/865 in a Desktop Case

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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Data Connections
The devices may only be connected to a network or a computer by using a shielded LAN cable. Unless shorter
lengths are prescribed, a maximum length of 3 m must not be exceeded for the LAN and the USB connection.
Signal Connections
In general, all connections between the signal generator and another device should be made as short as
possible and must be well shielded. It is recommended to use a high-quality cable with low loss especially for
frequencies above 20 GHz.
Transportation
The devices must only be transported with the packaging supplied by the manufacturer. The device can be
lifted up or transported in any orientation.

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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Safety Information
The following pieces of information are important to prevent personal injury, loss of life or damage to the
equipment. Please read them carefully. If the device is used in a manner not specified by this manual, the
protection provided by the device may be impaired.
Signal Symbol
In this manual, the following symbols are used to warn the reader about risks and dangers.
DANGER denotes a hazard for personal health or life.
WARNING denotes a risk or danger, that could damage the device.
Labels on Products
The following labels are on the products. Familiarize yourself with the meaning of each of the labels before
using the product.
Direct Current (DC)
Alternating Current (AC)
Earth (Ground)
EU label for separate collection of electrical and electronic waste.
Caution, general danger zone. Attend the manual and/or a notice on the device.

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation
[e-mail] | www.berkeleynucleonics.com
2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 800-234-7858
12.2020
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General Safety Considerations
FCC notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his or her expense.
notice
The instrument meets the EMC directive and the Low Voltage Directive described in the CE declaration in
Appendix A.
If products or their components are mechanically and/or thermally
processed in a manner that goes beyond their intended use,
hazardous substances (heavy-metal dust such as nickel) may be
released. For this reason, the product may only be disassembled or
opened by specially trained personnel. Improper disassembly may
be hazardous to your health. National waste disposal regulations
must be observed.