Kroks ARINST ArSiG-S User manual

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
2
CONTENT
1. PURPOSE.................................................................................................................................................3
2. SAFETY RULES FOR WORKING WITH THE DEVICE...........................................................................3
2.1. General safety requirements..............................................................................................................3
2.2. Additional safety requirements...........................................................................................................3
3. SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................................................4
3.1. General specification..........................................................................................................................4
3.2. Output power level .............................................................................................................................5
3.3. Spectral purity ....................................................................................................................................5
3.4. Pulse modulation................................................................................................................................7
4. COMPLETENESS.....................................................................................................................................7
5. DEVICE DESIGN......................................................................................................................................8
6. DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION PRINCIPLE OF THE DEVICE..........................................................8
7. TURNING ON..........................................................................................................................................10
8. SCREEN INTERFACE............................................................................................................................10
9. FAST START...........................................................................................................................................12
10. DEVICE MENU .....................................................................................................................................12
10.1. Setting the output frequency..........................................................................................................12
10.2. Setting the output power level........................................................................................................12
10.3. Pulse signal modulation menu .......................................................................................................13
10.4. Signal output menu in sweep mode...............................................................................................13
10.4.1. Stepped sweep........................................................................................................................14
10.4.2. Sweep on list...........................................................................................................................15
10.5. User settings menu ........................................................................................................................16
10.6. Additional options menu.................................................................................................................17
10.7. Setting the time to automatically turn off the screen......................................................................18
10.8. External trigger control...................................................................................................................18
10.9. Using an external reference frequency source ..............................................................................18
10.10. Output frequency correction.........................................................................................................18
10.11. Offset of the output signal level value..........................................................................................18
10.12. Changing the theme of the on-screen interface...........................................................................19
11. CARE AND MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................................20
11.1. General care of the device.............................................................................................................20
11.2. Charge the battery..........................................................................................................................20
11.3. Battery replacement.......................................................................................................................20
11.4. Storage...........................................................................................................................................21
11.5. Transportation ................................................................................................................................21
11.6. The criterion of the limit state.........................................................................................................22
11.7. Utilization........................................................................................................................................22
12. POSSIBLE MALFUNCTIONS AND METHODS OF THEIR ELIMINATION .........................................23
13. WARRANTY..........................................................................................................................................24
APPLICATION A.ARINST ArSiG-S and ARINST ArSiG-R RF signal generators software update ...........25

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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1. PURPOSE
1.1. Portable signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ARINST ArSiG-R are designed to generate
high-frequency signals in the range 1-6200 MHz. The devices are capable of sweeping the output signal,
both in frequency and in level. The generators have the ability to use an external highly stable signal
source as a reference.
1.2. Generator ARINST ArSiG-S is a generator of sinusoidal signals in the entire operating frequency
range. The ARINST ArSiG-R generator generates rectangular signals in the frequency range up to 3000
MHz. In the range from 3000-6200 MHz, the device generates sinusoidal signals.
1.3. Generators play an important role in electrical and radio measurements. They are used to gener-
ate test signals for the development and debugging of various devices: amplifiers, filters, receiving and
transmitting paths, when measuring and analyzing antennas.
1.4. The devices are intended for amateur radio applications, as they are not a professional measuring
instrument. The built-in battery allows you to make measurements, both in the laboratory and in practical
conditions..
2. SAFETY RULES FOR WORKING WITH THE DEVICE
2.1. General safety requirements
2.1.1. Persons who have read this «Manual»and have been instructed in the rules of safe work with
electrical appliances are allowed to work with the device.
2.1.2. The risk of injury is possible when the charger is connected or disconnected from the electrical
network. Use serviceable power outlets and chargers.
2.1.3. To avoid damage to the wires and connectors of the device, do not hang anything on the wires,
paint over and glue the wires and connectors, disconnect the wires by pulling the cord.
2.1.4. Persons using the device are strictly prohibited: pass the device to strangers, disassemble and
carry out any repairs not agreed with the manufacturer, use a device with a damaged case.
2.1.5. If you find a fault, stop operation immediately and turn off the device.
2.1.6. If you need to leave your workplace, turn off the device and other devices. Do not leave the
working device unattended!
2.1.7. Do not use the device in hospitals. The use of the device near medical equipment is allowed on-
ly with the consent of the medical staff.
2.2. Additional safety requirements
2.2.1. Use the device only for its intended purpose. Read the purpose, device, and technical character-
istics of the device.
2.2.2. Avoid working in open spaces during snow or rain. High humidity and all types of liquid, getting
inside the device, can damage it.
2.2.3. Do not expose the device to very low or very high temperatures, exposure to extreme tempera-
tures can damage the built-in battery.
2.2.4. Do not use the device in areas with a corrosive or explosive environment. Aggressive vapors
can destroy the insulation, which can cause the device to fail.
2.2.5. Do not apply excessive force to the device's connectors, controls, or screen. Avoid bumps and
falls on the device. If the device falls, it may be damaged.
2.2.6. Do not disassemble or modify the device without the consent of the manufacturer or without the
instructions described in this manual. Incorrect self-intervention in the device will result in loss of warran-
ty. 2.2.7. Use chargers, cords, adapters, and other accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
2.2.8. When connecting other tools to the device, carefully read their purpose, technical characteris-
tics. Do not connect incompatible devices.
2.2.9. Maintenance and repair of the device must only be performed by the manufacturer or an author-
ized service center.

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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3. SPECIFICATIONS
3.1. General specification
General technical characteristics of the device are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Parameter
Value
ArSiG-S
ArSiG-R
Frequency range
1-6200 MHz
Output power level error1
±1 dB
Frequency resolution
3 kHz
Step of setting the output power level
0,1 dB
SSB phase noise @ 1GHz (carrier offset = 100 kHz)
-95,2 dBc/Hz
-110,1 dBc/Hz
Nominal output power level
+10 dBm
Minimum output power level
1-50 MHz
-20 dBm
-5 dBm
50-100 MHz
0 dBm
100-3000 MHz
-10 dBm
3000-5500 MHz
-10 dBm
-10 dBm
5500-6200 MHz
-20 dBm
-20 dBm
Output impedance
50 Ohm
Maximum DC Input Voltage
+25 V
Maximum input power
+10 dBm
Number of stored user settings
10
The number of stored sweep items in each list
50
Working temperature range
0 … +40°С
Screen diagonal
4”
Screen type
touch resistive
Screen resolution
800×480
Output port connector type
SMA female
External reference signal source
Connector type
SMA female
Input frequency range
10-40 MHz
Input signal level
maximum
+13 dBm
recommended
+5 ÷ +10 dBm
Input impedance
50 Ohm
External trigger
Connector type
SMA female
Maximum input voltage
+3,3 V
Power consumption and dimensions
Supply voltage
5 V
Power consumption
3,7 W
3 W
Maximum con-
sumed current, no
more
when charging the battery2
≤2 A
when working from USB with battery charging3
≤2 A
Battery capacity
5000 mAh
Time of continuous battery life4
4,5 h
5,5 h
Battery charge time
~ 3,5 h
Overall dimensions (L × W × H)
150×81×27 mm
Weight
0,4 kg
1
The measurement is performed after warming up the device for at least five minutes. The change in
ambient temperature from the moment of calibration to measurements should not exceed ± 3°С.
2
When connecting the device to a charger with an output current of at least 3A.
3
If your PC has a limit on the maximum current supplied to the USB port, the device will automatically
limit the maxi-mum charging current according to the current USB specification.
4
At an ambient temperature of 20±5°C after the battery is fully charged.

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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3.2. Output power level
The graphs of the maximum output power level of the devices are shown in Figures 3.1 and 3.2.
Figure 3.1 –Maximum output power level of the ARINST ArSiG-S generator
Figure 3.2 –Maximum output power level of the ARINST ArSiG-R generator
3.3. Spectral purity
Measurements were made with an output power level of 0 dBm.
3.3.1. Broadband Non-harmonic Spurious spectral components
Table 2
ARINST ArSiG-S
Frequency, MHz
dBc
1-1900
< -75
1900-3000
< -72
3000-6200
< -60

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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Table 3
ARINST ArSiG-R
Frequency, MHz
dBc
1-100
< -92
100-3000
< -70
3000-6200
< -60
3.3.2. Harmonics (2nd or 3rd harmonics, whichever is worse).
Table 4
Frequency, MHz
dBc
ArSiG-S
ArSiG-R
1
-25
-8
5
-35
-10,1
10
-36
-8,7
50
-36
-9,1
100
-36
-15,9
500
-34
-9
1000
-24
-4
2000
-16
-7,8
3000
-21
-21
4000
-31
-36
5000
-36
-36
6000
-40
-45
6200
-50
-47
3.3.3. Phase noise.
Table 5
Frequency, MHz
ARINST ArSiG-S
Offset from carrier
1 kHz
10 kHz
100 kHz
1 MHz
SSB phase noise, dBc/Hz
1
-88,1
-93,4
-95,1
-
10
-95,8
-96,5
-95,3
-123,1
100
-93,1
-94,9
-97,1
-121,6
1000
-90,3
-90,8
-95,2
-119,8
2000
-93,2
-87,9
-105,4
-129,4
3000
-84,4
-82,8
-100,8
-127,1
4000
-82,7
-84,1
-99,5
-128,4
5000
-79,8
-81,8
-96,1
-125,7
6000
-82,9
-77,5
-94,8
-123,1
6200
-82,3
-77,6
-91,8
-122,1

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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Table 6
Frequency, MHz
ARINST ArSiG-R
Offset from carrier
1 kHz
10 kHz
100 kHz
1 MHz
SSB phase noise, dBc/Hz
1
-96,5
-118,3
-116,1
-
10
-97
-117,6
-116,5
-134
100
-91,9
-103,6
-111,1
-125,2
1000
-90
-95,4
-110,1
-132,1
2000
-91,1
-90,6
-105,6
-129,7
3000
-85,2
-86,7
-100,8
-125,6
4000
-84,3
-85,5
-100,5
-127,6
5000
-85,9
-82,3
-93,2
-125,4
6000
-81,2
-78,1
-93,5
-123,7
6200
-84,6
-78,4
-92,3
-123,2
3.4. Pulse modulation
Table 7
Pulse modulation
On/Off Ratio
Frequency, MHz
ArSiG-S
ArSiG-R
1
>70 dB (typ.)
>70 dB (typ.)
10
>70 dB (typ.)
>70 dB (typ.)
100
>70 dB (typ.)
>70 dB (typ.)
1000
70 dB (typ.)
>70 dB (typ.)
3000
70 dB (typ.)
>70 dB (typ.)
5000
60 dB (typ.)
30 dB (typ.)
6000
60 dB (typ.)
35 dB (typ.)
Minimum pulse width
1000 µs (typ.)
Minimum pulse period
2000 µs (typ.)
Maximum pulse period
1000000 µs (typ.)
4. COMPLETENESS
4.1. The delivery set of the device is shown in Table 8.
Table 8
Name
Quantity
ArSiG-S
ArSiG-R
RF signal generator ARINST ArSiG-S
1 pc.
-
RF signal generator ARINST ArSiG-R
-
1 pc.
USB 2.0 –Mini-USB cable
1 pc.
1 pc.
SMA (female) –SMA (female) adapter
2 pc.
2 pc.
Manual (product passport)
1 pc.
1 pc.
Package
1 pc.
1 pc.
Due to the continuous improvement of the device and software, the manufacturer reserves the
right to make changes to its technical characteristics and completeness.

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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5. DEVICE DESIGN
5.1. The device structure is shown in Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1 - External view of the device
1. RF output connector (RF OUT) intended for connection of the test devices and acts as a signal
source.
2. Left panel
3. Device body
4. Color resistive screen 4” serves to configure the device through the on-screen interface.
5. Right panel
6. Multifunctional button. Turns the device on and off by pressing and holding for about 2 seconds.
When pressed twice, it turns off the device screen. Tap the screen anywhere to turn it on.
7. Synchronization signal input / output (Trigger) (SYNK I/0).
8. External reference signal input (REF_IN).
9. Indicator STATUS. Lights up when the device is turned on.
10. Battery charging indicator CHARGE. It lights up when the battery is charging and when the de-
vice is powered by USB. When charging is finished, it goes off.
11. Connector Mini-USB. Serves for data transmission and battery charging of the device.
6. DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION PRINCIPLE OF THE DEVICE
Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ARINST ArSig-R are based on a phase-locked loop (PLL)
synthesizer. The output signal is generated by dividing the set frequency of the voltage controlled oscilla-
tor (VCO). Comparing the obtained value with the frequency of the reference oscillator and adjusting the
VCO with a voltage proportional to the obtained difference. Structural diagrams of generators are shown
in Figures 6.1 and 6.2.
Generator ARINST ArSiG-S is a generator of sinusoidal signals in the entire operating frequency
range. Structurally, it is a generator with a support. The basic principle of the formation of the output sig-
nal in the low-frequency region of the frequency range is the multiplication of the signals of the two gen-
erators using a mixer. The mixer output is filtered to suppress higher harmonics and isolate the funda-
mental frequency. In the second subband, the signal from the synthesizer output is fed to the low-pass
filter to suppress the higher harmonics of the generated signal. In the third subband, the output of the
VCO of the frequency synthesizer is used to generate the output signal. The output of the VCO is a fun-
damental frequency with suppressed harmonics, so there is no additional filtering. Then the generated
signal is fed to a power amplifier. The amplified signal is fed to the output connector. Also, with the help of
a power coupler, the output power is measured and with the help of an automatic adjustment loop, the set
level is maintained.

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
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Figure 6.1 - Block diagram of the ARINST ArSiG-S signal generator
The ARINST ArSiG-R generator produces rectangular signals in the frequency range up to 3 GHz.
From 3 GHz, the output of the VCO of the frequency synthesizer is used to generate the output signal.
Thus, the output signal is sinusoidal. Then the generated signal is fed to the power amplifier. The ampli-
fied signal is fed to the output connector. Also, with the help of a power coupler, the output power is
measured and with the help of an automatic adjustment loop, the set level is maintained.
Figure 6.2 - Block diagram of the ARINST ArSiG-R signal generator
Both generators use a high-stability temperature-compensated oscillator with low phase noise as a ref-
erence frequency source.

Signal generators ARINST ArSiG-S and ArSiG-R
10
7. TURNING ON
Do not use the device outdoors during snowfall or rain. If the device is brought in during
the cold season from a cold room or from the street into a warm room, do not turn it on for a time
sufficient for the condensation from the device to evaporate.
Correlate the signal strength and the voltage applied to the ports with the maximum tech-
nical characteristics of the device specified in Table 1.
7.1. Make sure that the device has no external damage and the battery is charged. Charge the dis-
charged battery in accordance with clause 11.2.
7.2. Press and hold the button (6) for about 2 seconds. Switching on the device is confirmed by turning
on the STATUS indicator (9).
7.3. The device has a function of turning off the screen to save battery power. To turn off the screen
(4), press the button (6) twice. The device will continue to operate with the screen off. To turn on the
screen, tap it anywhere once.
7.4. To turn off the device, press and hold the button (6) for about 2 seconds. The screen (4) of the in-
strument will turn off and the instrument will turn off. Each time the device is turned off, the current user
settings are recorded in non-volatile memory, which allows you to avoid configuring the device when you
turn it on again.
8. SCREEN INTERFACE
On the screen of the device there are information areas and interactive buttons for controlling the de-
vice.
Figure 8.1 –Screen interface of the device
8.1. The information areas of the screen display information about the current settings and status of
the device.
8.1.1. Built-in battery status indicator:
indicator in the form of a spark (lightning) - the battery is being charged;
the battery indicator symbol is completely filled with white –the battery is fully charged;
the indicator symbol in the form of a white outline of the battery –the battery is low, you need
to charge it;
the device displays a message about a critical charge level –the battery is completely dis-
charged, the device will automatically turn off.
8.1.2. Frequency:
The user-defined signal frequency is displayed. Frequency setting is carried out in the range 1-6200
MHz.