DS TT7000 User manual
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide – V3.1 - 2021
www.dsinstruments.com
TT7000
Basic Setup and User Guide
Device Overview
Unit Power-up
Notes and Warnings
Ports and Controls
System Modes
Remote Operation
PC Applications
SCPI Commands
Contact Info
TT7000 – Introduction to a Compact Multi-Purpose RF Instrument
The TT7000 combines a Microwave Frequency counter, Power Meter,
Signal Generator, and RF divider in one compact instrument. This
instrument can either be used as a stand-alone device, or operated from a
PC via USB. The Frequency Counter and Power meter cover the band from
100 to 7000MHz. The Signal Generator covers from 300 to 9600MHz.
The TT7000 is very simple to setup and begin to use. Stand-alone usage
only requires a standard 5 volt USB type-C cable. This can be powered
from a USB port on a PC, powered USB hub, wall charging adapter, or a
lithium-ion battery pack. No data connection is needed. Once the device is
powered, the TT7000 will display the firmware version and model number.
The TT7000 will then boot up into Meter-Counter Mode and begin
displaying the detected RF power level and the constant wave frequency.
text
text
S
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DEVICE PORTS AND FEATURES
USB
PWR
RF Input (SMA)
(PWR Meter / Freq Counter)
Generator / Divider Output
(SMA) Power and Data
(USB Type-C 1Amp)
TT7000
Change system mode
button
Value step +/- buttons
The MAXIMUM power to the RF input SMA port is +15dBm. Never apply over the
maximum level or permanent damage can occur.
Power measurements will be inaccurate if the automatic counter cannot determine an
approximate frequency. Use the PC GUI to manually enter the frequency range of your
signal if auto-range is not consistent.
If the power level is too low or there is no signal input, the frequency counter display will
wonder. This is normal functionality.
The TT7000 requires USB current of up to 1.0 Amps. An unpowered USB hub or an
excessively long or low quality USB cable will degrade the device performance. We
recommend a USB 3.0 port, a powered hub, or a short high-quality cable from a charging
USB port.
NOTES AND WARNINGS
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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10MHz reference input –
(MCX jack)
OLED Display
Status Indicator
Holding down the MODE button for one-half second
cycles to the next system mode. These are comprised of
Meter-Counter Mode, Meter-Generator Mode,
Frequency Counter Mode, Power Meter Only Mode,
Signal Generator Mode, and RF Divider Mode.
1. Meter-Counter Mode: Displays both input power
level and frequency counter, with quick refresh rate and
low averaging. Up-down buttons have no function in
this mode.
2. Meter-Generator Mode: Displays the measured
input power level in dBm, and the user signal generator
frequency output in megahertz. Buttons adjust
frequency output.
3. Counter Only Mode: Displays the counted frequency
input in MHz with a longer gate time and more
precision in a large font. Mode button quick press saves
this reading as the power meter CAL frequency.
4. Meter Only Mode: Displays a more accurate power
level in dBm with more averaging and longer refresh
rate. Up-Down buttons set the CAL frequency.
5. Signal Generator Mode: Displays the frequency
output on the RF SMA port. Up/Down step buttons
change the frequency.
6. RF Divider Mode: Displays the current divider ratio
between the input frequency and the generator SMA
output port. Up/Down Step buttons change the divider
ratio (2, 4, or 8).
STANDALONE USAGE - SYSTEM MODES
TT7000
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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TT7000
Remote Operation via USB
The TT7000 can be remotely operated using SCPI commands via the USB virtual COM port. A
custom windows GUI application is provided for fully controlling the TT7000, and is posted for
download on the DS Instruments website. It requires the free .NET framework from
Microsoft.
NOTE: Most versions of windows come with .NET and USB drivers pre-installed. If they are
missing or outdated they can both be downloaded from our website.
* Although we do not yet have native control GUIs, Linux and Android along with many embedded operating
systems have integrated driver support for the TT7000.
Typical User Connections for Remote Operation via USB
USB Power
and Serial Interface
Host PC TT7000
RF
D
S
5895.821 MHz
STATUS
MODE
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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SMA cable to
DUT
10M
Optional 10MHz
Reference (MCX)
TT7000
PC Control Application – Meter / Counter Mode
In Power Meter / Counter Mode, when the RUN-STOP button is pressed the TT7000 meter application will
continuously display live data from the device and build a history graph to the right
As with the signal generator, the counter reference frequency source can be changed to external if needed. Auto
detect is recommended in most situations. A high quality external reference can increase the counter accuracy.
The TT7000 Wideband Power Meter uses the internal frequency counter to calibrate itself. If the input signal
power level is too low and the counter cannot successfully determine the correct frequency, the power meter
accuracy will significantly degrade. In this case the user should enter a manual calibration frequency.
The frequency counter gate time and power meter averaging can be adjusted to the user s preference. Slower
update rates average more readings over a longer time, and will result in a more accurate measurement.
A green background inside the meter display indicates a good value. Orange indicates that the signal is either too
weak to count or measure, or that it is not consistent. Red indicates that the power level is over the maximum
readable input level.
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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TT7000
PC Control Application – Signal Generator Mode
In Power Meter / Sig-Gen Mode the live incoming power level data is displayed. The counter is NOT
functioning, so the calibration for the power meter is set to the signal generator frequency. The signal
generator output control will allow the user to set the frequency, power level and power fine tune.
Power output level is controllable from 300-4800Mhz. Band 2 (4800-9600MHz) is fixed output level, and is
typically > +12dBm.
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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TT7000
Remote Operation via SCPI Commands
For automated or scripted operation the TT7000 can be controlled via SCPI text commands.
The virtual COM port settings are 115200bps, 8 Data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Commands
should be terminated with a linefeed character.
*A great free terminal program for windows can be found here : http://www.putty.org
Command Example 1 Example 2 Description
FREQ:CW FREQ:CW 400MHZ FREQ:CW 3.33GHZ Set output Frequency of the signal generator
FREQ:CW? Return output frequency in Hz
OUTP:STAT OUTP:STAT ON OUTP:STAT OFF Turn on or off the RF output in sig-gen mode
OUTP:STAT? Returns the signal generator RF on/off state
POWER POWER -10 POWER 4.5 Set the signal generator output power level in dBm
POWER? Return power level setting
VERNIER VERNIER -50 VERNIER 0 Set the unitless power fine tune knob
VERNIER? Return the fine power tune setting
POWER:READ? Returns the input power in dBm - measured RMS
FREQ:READ? Returns the counted input frequency in MHz
SYST:MODE METERCOUNTER, SIGGENMETER,
SIGNALGEN - Sets the system mode (3 modes)
SYST:MODE? Returns the current mode
*POWER:FCAL *POWER:FCAL 0 *POWER:FCAL 2333 Forces power meter calibration at this MHz point (0=auto)
*IDN? Return the SCPI identification string
*RST Reset unit now
*DISPLAY ON Forces display to work in USB mode. Slows system.
*BUZZER *BUZZER ON *BUZZER OFF Mute the buzzer
SYST:ERR? Returns last error message
*CLS Clears errors
*PING? Identify a unit by flashing an LED and sounding the buzzer
*SAVESTATE Save the current system mode and settings as boot defaults
*UNITNAME Save a nickname or device tag in flash memory
*UNITNAME? Request the device tag/nickname
*SYSVOLTS? Return the USB voltage level
TT7000 SCPI Command List
Command terminator is LINEFEED ("\n")
Version 7.0 - (COM BAUD: 115200)
TT7000 – RF Meter / Counter / Generator - User Guide
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