SDR-Kits DG8SAQ VNWA 3 User manual

SDR-Kits, 129 Devizes Road, Trowbridge Wilts, BA14-7SZ, nited Kingdom [email protected]
DG8SAQ VNWA 3 - Expansion board Manual v1.3
Fig 1. VNWA 3 Expansion Board fitted to VNWA 3 Main PCB
1. Introdu tion:
The DG8SAQ VNWA 3 Expansion Board is a small optional Printed Circ it Board which provides the
DG8SAQ Vector Network Analyzer with additional f nctionality as follows:
2nd A dio Codec allowing S11 and S21 meas rements to be performed in a single sweep
instead of 2 sweeps.
2.7V Switched mode power s pply for DDS S pply - USB power cons mption red ced to from
0.41 Amp witho t Expansion board to 0.33 Amp despite additional power cons mption of 2nd
A dio Codec on the Expansion board.
RJ11 connector making the VNWA3 control signals and power accessible to the o tside world
Optional SMA connector to obtain the m ltiplied 12 MHz internal TCXO clock or to feed in an
external 36 MHz clock so rce.
This doc ment describes how to fit the Expansion Board into the VNWA 3 and how to config re the
VNWA Software to obtain f ll performance.
2. Important Information
Copyright noti e
The design of the VNWA 3 and Expansion Board is copyright by Thomas Baier DG8SAQ & SDR-Kits -
all rights reserved -
SDR- its VNWA 3 Expansion Board v1.3 - Copyright 2011-2013 by SDR- its Page 1 of 10

2.1 Caution - Safety Information:
1. The VNWA Expansion Board m st only be fitted to VNWA3. It will NOT fit the older VNWA
2.x eq ipment.
2. VNWA 3 with serial n mbers 2201 and higher allow for the VNWA Expansion Board to be
pl gged in.
3. VNWA 3 with serial n mbers 2200 and below will req ire soldering of the SIP connectors
to the Main PCB assembly and removal of a resistor. Soldering sho ld only be carried o t
by persons who have the req ired skills and previo s experience of this type of work.
4. The VNWA 3 is powered and controlled thro gh a USB-cable. The USB-cable sho ld be
connected to the USB port of a Personal Comp ter capable of s pplying +5V DC at 500mA
5. The maximum safe input voltage into the TX-out and Rx-in ports is an RF Voltage of
225mV RMS = 0dBm with a freq ency between 1 kHz p to 1300 MHz). Exceeding this
limit may ca se damage to the VNWA and may invalidate prod ct warranty.
Do NOT apply any DC voltages to the VNWA RF Ports.
6. Exercise ca tion when connecting external eq ipment to the RJ11 onne tor of the
Expansion Board. Caref lly review the information given in section 7. of this Man al. If in
do bt ask first
7. Always check the SDR-Kits Website for c rrent Prod ct information incl ding Safety
Information and latest Prod ct Updates.
http://www.sdr-kits.net/VNWA/VNWA_Doc mentation.html
2.2 Produ t Do umentation:
The doc mentation of this prod ct is s pplied as a VNWA Application Helpfile, thro gh the
VNWA Installer or may be downloaded from the Internet from
http://sdr-kits.net/DG8SAQ/VNWA/VNWA_HELP.pdf
3. VNWA 3 Expansion Board installation Preparation
3.1 Ens re the VNWA is properly f nctioning prior to installing the VNWA 3 Expansion Board
If in do bt, see the information in the VNWA helpfile "Verification of Proper Performance "
3.2 Observe antistatic preca tions when npacking and fitting the VNWA 3 Expansion Board.
3.3 Check the Serial N mber label on the VNWA back panel.
If the serial n mber of yo r VNWA 3 is 2201 or higher then VNWA the Female SIP
connectors are already fitted. The VNWA 3 Expansion Board j st pl gs in and
soldering is NOT req ired.
If the serial n mber of the VNWA 3 is between 2001 and 2200 then the female SIP
connectors s pplied will need to be fitted and soldered to the VNWA 3 Printed
Circ it board. Some previo s soldering skills are req ired.
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3.3 Contents of the VNWA 3 Expansion Board kit is shown below. check off against the list.
1 pc assembled VNWA 3 Expansion Board
1 pc 2mm Allen key to remove VNWA 3 covers
3 pcs 2.5mm dia 8mm long spacers
3 pcs 2.5mm steel washers
6 pcs 2.5mm dia 6mm screws
6 pcs fibre washers 2. mm dia
3 pcs 3 pin female SIP connectors
1 pc 2 pin female SIP connector
1 pc 6 pin female SIP connector
15 cm solder
10 cm solder braid
Fig 2. VNWA 3 Expansion Board kit contents
3.2 Tools req ired
2mm allen key (s pplied with kit)
Small crosshead screwdriver
Sharp Scalpel or hobby knife
Tweezers
25W or 40W soldering - preferably temperat re controlled
small inspection mirror
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4.0 Fitting VNWA 3 Expansion Board
4.1 VNWA Expansion Board fittings
4.1.1 Ca tion - observe Antistatic preca tions -
4.1.2 Remove the Top and Bottom enclos re covers of the VNWA 3 sing the Allen key s pplied.
4.1.3 If yo are planning to se the RJ11 connector for external VNWA connections, c t o t the
sq are hole for the RJ11 in the rear panel label sing a sharp hobby knife or scalpel as shown
in fig 4.
4.1.4 If yo plan to fit the optional clock inp t/o tp t c t o t the ro nd hole to fit an SMA
connector as shown in fig 3.
Fig 3. Holes cut in Rear label for RJ11 and optional SMA external Clock connector.
Also shown is the Jumper which needs to be removed for VNWA 3 with s/n 2201 and higher
note: Chassis Hole Clock connector is only provided in VNWA3 with s/n 2201 and higher
4.1.5 Remove VNWA Expansion Board from packaging and fit the 3 spacers as shown below. the
correct seq ence is:
2.5 mm screw
2.5 mm fibre washer on top of the PCB
then 2.5mm steel wash below the PCB
followed by the 8mm long spacer
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Fig 4. VNWA 3 Expansion Board - bottom view
4.2 VNWA 3 with Serial numbers between A2001 and A2200 requiring Soldering:
4.2.1 Fit the female SIP connectors to the male SIP connectors to the VNWA 3 Expansion Board.
4.2.3 Next fit the VNWA 3 Breako t PCB with the mating SIP connectors to the VNWA 3 main pcb.
Make s re that all SIP connector pins are visible as shown below.
4.2.3 Check whether Breako t PCB is correctly positioned and fasten the VNWA 3 Breako t PCB
to the main VNWA PCB sing 3 pcs 2.5 mm screws and fibre washers as shown in Fig 6.
4.2.4 Now solder the connectors J31, J52, J36, J34 and J53 on the VNWA Main PCB
4.2.5 Refer to fig re 5. Locate Zero Ohm resistor A which is fitted on VNWA 3 with s/n 2200 or
less. Resistor A must be removed for operation of the DDS with DC power from the VNWA 3
Expansion board.
4.2.6 Caution do not c t the resistor or se force as the PCB track co ld be damaged.
4.2.7 The best method is to remove excess solder with solder wick first and heat both ends of the
resistor at the same time. The resistor can now be "swiped sideways" and removed.
Fig 5. VNWA 3 - Removing Jumper A
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4.2.8 Refit VNWA top and bottom enclosures. Make sure the EMC shield strips fit properly on the
horizontal chassis to avoid RF leakage. Do Not overtighten the eclosure screws
Fig 6. Top view of VNWA 3 Main PCB showing where SIP connectors are soldered
4.3 VNWA 3 with Serial numbers A2201 and higher (SIP onne tors already fitted)
4.3.1 Remove the 2 pin J mper as shown in fig 3. The j mper is sec red with a blob of hot gl e on
the side which sho ld removed with a pen knife first
4.3.2 Pl g in the VNWA 3 Breako t PCB onto the main VNWA PCB.
Use a small inspection mirror to check the connectors are properly aligned before
pressing down. Do not exert nd e force, if necessary remove the PCB and start again.
4.3.3 After Breako t PCB has been fitted check with inspection mirror whether all the connectors
are mated.
4.3.4 Fasten the VNWA 3 Breako t PCB to the main VNWA PCB sing the 3 2.5 mm screws and
fibre washers as shown in Fig 6.
4.3.5 Refit VNWA top and bottom enclos res. Make s re the EMC shield strips fit properly on the
horizontal chassis to avoid RF leakage. Do Not overtighten the eclos re screws
5. Commissioning & Configuring VNWA 3 Audio Code
5.1.1 Pl g the VNWA 3 with Expansion Board fitted into USB port of Personal Comp ter.
5.1.2 Monitor briefly for any n s al symptoms and/or messages from Windows Operating
System: If window pops p that the USB-c rrent is exceeded, remove VNWA immediately
and check for any short circ its and errors in the VNWA 3 Breako t board installation
5.1.3 Start the VNWA Application, then goto "File" and "Set p" "USB Settings" and perform "Test
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USB Interface" to confirm that VNWA is operational.
5.1.4 Select Tab "A dio Level" and tick the box "A xilary A dio Capt re Device Available" in fig 7.
which is applicable for Windows XP operating system.
This will bring p the config ration of the A xilary A dio Capt re Device. Change the
settings as shown in fig 7. as appropriate.
Troubleshooting: If "Auxiliary Audio Capture Devi e available" is NOT shown, then exit VNWA
application and add the line AuxAudio=1 to the file VNWA.ini with a text editor and then
restart the VNWA Application. See also VNWA helpfile
Note: With the VNWA 3 Breako t PCB fitted there are now two USB Codec devices, a) USB A dio
Codec and b) USB A dio Codec 2. The b ilt-in USB codec m st be the main capt re device, as it is
hard wired to the m ltiplexing switch. USB-Codec config ration is done in the following step:
5.1.5 Press b tton "Calibrate Sample Rate" as shown in fig 7. If Sample Calibration Rate fails
(First p lse not detected) then reverse the two USB A dio Codec devices and test again.
(ie A dio Capt re becomes "USB A dio Codec" and A x. A dio Capt re becomes "USB
A dio Codec 2")
Fig 7. Configuration of Auxiliary Audio Capture Device
5.1.6 Now select the tab "A dio Level" and select "Reflect" mode and with no termination on the TX-
port, and check the bl e main Reference signal and bl e Reflected signal are as shown in fig
8. Do not worry abo t the lighter red A x A dio signal, which may also be visible.
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Note: If the sinewaves are "clipped" (Vista or Windows 7) then the Recording level of the relevant
USB A dio Codec needs to be changed. Also check whether the USB A dio Codec is set to
Stereo 48 Kbps as described in the "Getting Started" booklet shipped with the VNWA or see
the VNWA Helpfile
Fig 8. Audio Level with TX port not terminated (full Reflection)
5.1.7. Connect a short coax cable between TX and RX ports and check the Reflect sinewave in Fig 8.
now becomes a flat bl e line.
5.1.8 Next select the tab "A x. A dio Level" and check the display as shown in fig 9. is obtained.
Note: If the sinewaves are "clipped" (Vista or Windows 7) then the Recording level of the relevant
USB A dio Codec needs to be changed. Also check whether the USB A dio Codec is set to
Stereo 48 Kbps as described in the "Getting Started" booklet shipped with the VNWA or see t
he VNWA Helpfile - Section "Config ration - Vista / Windows 7 a dio iss es"
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Fig 9. Aux. Audio Level with TX and RX ports connected
Troubleshooting: If the above displays are not obtained then check the USB-A dio Settings in fig 7.
and perform step 5.1.5 again.
6. VNWA 3 Expansion Board Interfa e information:
The VNWA3 combines the VNWA and the USB interface f nctionality on a single 100x60mm² board:
The VNWA3 only req ires a single USB cable to connect to a PC. The interface options are shown in
7.1 and 7.2 Also refer to the VNWA Helpfile for a block diagram and Application config ration options
for the Rotor Start/stop and S-Parameter switch options.
6.1 VNWA 3 Expansion Board - External Conne tions
RJ11
pin
Signal Des ription Cable
olour
Remarks:
(see also VNWA helpfile for info on options)
Pin 1: Rotor start/stop control signal
(inp t)
white Inp t signal, normally +3.3V. When inp t is
gro nded, VNWA sweep and the rotor engine are
started for Radar type Antenna plots
Pin 2: Not Connected black
Pin 3: S-Parameter Test set Control
Signal (o tp t)
red 0 or 3.3V Logic DC Signal from AVR via 680 series
resistor. See Helpfile for config ration details
Pin 4: Not Connected green
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Pin 5: Internal 5V DC Power o t or
External 5V Power In
(See Note 1)
yellow A maxim m of abo t 100mA may be drawn from
internal power provided PC USB H b can s pply
500mA. See Note 1; when sing external power
Pin 6 Gro nd bl e VNWA Gro nd Connection
Note 1: For operating the VNWA3 from an external 5V DC power supply, zero Ohm
resistor B shown in Fig 5. m st be removed from the VNWA3 board
Note 2: Cable colo r refers to the colo rs of the optional RJ11 cable available from SDR-Kits
6.2 Optional External Clo k input/output
An Optional SMA connector may be fitted for connecting an External 36 MHz Clock o tp t or to tap
the internal m ltiplied System clock. After the VNWA 3 Expansion Board is fitted, the SMA connector
is fitted in the 8mm ro nd hole provided only in VNWA3 with s/n 2201 and higher as shown in fig 1.
With a scalpel c t a ro nd hole in the rear panel label and fit the SMA connector.
solder a short wire between the SMA center connector to the PCB track. Soldering of gro nd
connections is not req ired.
If the SMA connector is not sed then it is recommended to fit an SMA Screening cap to prevent
radiation from and damage to the SMA connector.
6.3 Spe ifi ation of the VNWA Referen e Clo k output or External Clo k input:
Internal Clock O tp t: TCXO 12 MHz*x (x=2..8) 2ppm O t - 1kOhm impedance, 400mVpp
o tp t
External Reference Clock: ideally 36 MHz with level of between -6dBm...+3dBm / 50 Ohms
7.0 WEEE, Disposal of Waste Ele tri al Equipment
This symbol on the prod ct indicates that this prod ct sho ld not be treated as
ho sehold waste.
Instead it sho ld be handed over to a s itable collection point for the recycling of
electrical and electronic eq ipment. Users of this prod ct in the E ropean Comm nity
sho ld contact SDR-Kits to specific arrangements for the disposal and recycling of this
prod ct in accordance with the relevant EEC Directives.
7.1 CE Certifi ation,
This prod ct is CE certified according to the provisions of 2004/108/EC and 1995/5/EC
relating to the Radio and Telecomm nications Terminal Eq ipment (R&TTE) is in compliance
with the essential req irements of these directives.
8. Conta t Information
SDR KITS LIMITED trading as SDR-Kits www.SDR-Kits.net email: [email protected]
SDR-Kits (Internet & mail order only)
129 Devizes Road
Trowbridge, Wilts BA14-7SZ
United Kingdom
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