iXBlue DR-VE-10-MO User manual

DR-VE-10-MO

DR-VE-10-MO User Manual
Ref. Ed. 0 –03/05/2021 2
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... 2
1INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3
2SET-UP:....................................................................................................................... 4
3INTERFACE -OPERATION:............................................................................................ 5
4ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE FOR SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION:................................................ 8

DR-VE-10-MO User Manual
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Introduction
•The DR-VE-10-MO is a non-inverting single-ended modulators driver module for analog, pulse,
or digital application.
•As it is an active device, the DR-VE-10-MO requires a DC power supply [12V –0.45A]. The
connection between the power supply and the driver is performed thanks to the provided
power supply cable (banana plugs to 2-pin Molex).
•For external control, the driver requires a connection to a computer via the provided COM cable
(USB to 3-pin Molex) and the use of a provided dedicated software. This software can be
downloaded from our website: https://photonics.ixblue.com/product/fbg/dr-ve-10-mo
•Required equipments:
oDR-VE-10-MO driver with iXblue dedicated heat-sink or adequate cooling
element.
oDC power supply [12V –0.45A] and provided power supply cable.
oComputer with iXblue’s “DR-VE-10-MO Control” software or a third-party
HyperTerminal software and provided COM cable.
oMinimum Computer Requirements:
▪Windows 7/ 8/ 10
▪One USB port for each DR-VE-10-MO to drive.

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Set-up:
•The diagram of the basic DR-VE-10-MO set-up is as followed:
•Recommended operating sequence:
1. Ensure that input RF source (for example Pulse Pattern Generator, PPG) is off.
2. Attach a 50 Ohm load to output before supplying DC power to the amplifier.
3. Set +12V on the DC power supply, 0,45A max, output OFF (any standard DC power
supply with current monitoring and ON/ OFF switch is acceptable).
4. Connect the power supply cable. Connect the COM cable.
5. Switch the DC power to ON.
COM12V-0,45A

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Interface - Operation:
•Install the DR-VE-10-MO Control application by running the provided Setup file (DR-VE-10-MO
Control Setup.exe) then following the instructions given by the install program. This requires
administrator privileges.
•Launch the “DR-VE-10-MO Control” application that was just installed (by default, a shortcut is
added on the Windows Desktop by the setup program). The first step is to select the correct
COM port. To proceed, click on the down arrow of the list box and select the COM port
connected to the controller.

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•After selecting your port, click on “Connect” to activate the interface (The DR-VE-10-MO has to
be powered-up). If the connection fails, please check the cable connection, or try another COM
Port.
•Interface general considerations:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

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•(1): ON/OFF button : Allows the user to enable/ disable the RF driver.
•(2): : Allows the user to select one of the three pre-registered operating modes: ,
, . Each pre-registered mode corresponds to a set of three parameters [Gain –
Amplitude –Crosspoint] pre-optimized for a dedicated application.
•The 4th mode called allows the user to set its own settings [Gain –Amplitude –
Crosspoint] independently of the three pre-registered modes and to store them into the device
memory. Also, this “Custom Mode” allows the user to store on the device memory the status
“ON” (enabled) or “OFF” (disabled) of the driver.
•[Gain –Amplitude –Crosspoint] adjustment: These three functions control the Gain, Amplitude,
and Crosspoint of the driver. These parameters must be adjusted depending on the application
(see paragraph “4”). The tunability goes from 0% (minimum value) to 100% (maximum value).
•(3): : allows the user to set its own “Custom Mode” parameters and
to store them into the device memory by clicking on the button. These settings can be
recalled by clicking on the button and will be automatically applied to the device.
•Once the “Custom Mode” parameters are set and stored into the device memory, the DR-VE-10-
MO will automatically recall them at the next power up. Therefore, the DR-VE-10-MO can be
used without a computer connected to it until new adjustments are needed.
•(4): Display of internal temperature, serial number and firmware version of the device.
󱛻󱛼󱛽The internal temperature should not exceed 70°C. If so, disable the driver by clicking on the
ON/OFF button . Use iXblue dedicated Heat-sink or adequate cooling element to avoid
excess heat.
•(5): : allows the user to set its own settings and to store them on the
local computer (.ini file). Clicking on the button allows the user to recall settings
previously stored on local files. These settings will be automatically applied to the device.

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Adjustment procedure for signal optimization:
a. Adjust the “Gain” parameter around 25-30 (medium gain).
b. Adjust the “Crosspoint” parameter, this one controls the positive/negative
distribution of the output signal and depends on signal type:
▪If unipolar (+): Crosspoint = [85-95]
▪If unipolar (-):Crosspoint = [40-55]
▪If bipolar (symmetrical): Crosspoint = [60-75]
c. Adjust the output amplitude by using the “Amplitude” parameter. If the output level
is too low, adjust the “Gain” parameter or increase the incoming signal level Vin. Do
not increase too much the “Gain” parameter or input amplitude to avoid signal
distortion.
d. If the output level is too high or the signal distorted, decrease the “Gain” parameter
or input amplitude and readjust the “Crosspoint” parameter if needed.
e. For linear signal amplification, Vin should be lower than 0.15 Vpp. For non-linear
application, adjust Vin ≈0.2 Vpp.
•Input / Output signal examples:
Positive low duration pulse
Vin = 180 mVpp, 60 ps
Vout = 4.6 Vpp
Gain = 30, Amplitude = 35, Crosspoint = 85

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Negative long duration pulse
Vin = 130 mVpp, 250 ns (-)
Vout = 3.8 Vpp
Gain = 30, Amplitude = 35, Crosspoint = 40
Positive linear pulse
Vin = 120 mVpp, ramp (+)
Vout = 4.7 Vpp
Gain = 30, Amplitude = 60, Crosspoint = 80
Digital signal
Vin = 220 mVpp, 12.5 Gb/s
Vout = 6.4 Vpp
Gain = 35, Amplitude = 40, Crosspoint = 65