Talon RTS 2706 User manual

Manual Part Number: 800.27060 Rev: 3.2 −March 16, 2014
Pentek, Inc.
One Park Way
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
(201) 818−5900
http://www.pentek.com/
Copyright © 2011−2015
OPERATING MANUAL
TALON RTS 2706
Talon® RTS Commercial Rackmount Recorders
200 MS/sec RF/IF Rackmount Recorder

Page ii Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual
Manual Revision History
Warranty
Pentek warrants its Talon Recorder products to conform to published specifications and to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of delivery, when used under normal operating conditions and within the
service conditions for which they were furnished.
The obligation of Pentek arising from a warranty claim shall be limited to repairing or, optionally, replacing without charge any
product which proves to be defective within the term and scope of the warranty.
Pentek must be notified of the defect or nonconformity within the warranty period. The affected product must be returned with
shipping charges and insurance prepaid. Pentek will pay shipping charges for the return of product to buyer, except for products
returned from outside of the USA.
Limitations of Warranty
This warranty does not apply to products which have been repaired or altered by anyone other than Pentek or its authorized rep−
resentatives. This warranty does not extend to products that have been damaged by misuse, neglect, improper installation, unau−
thorized modification, or extreme environmental conditions, that fall outside of the scope of the product’s environmental
specifications.
Due to the normal, finite write−cycle limits of Solid State Drives (SSDs), Pentek shall not be liable for warranty coverage of SSDs
caused by wear−related issues that arise as an SSD reaches its write−cycle limit.
Pentek specifically disclaims merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Pentek shall not be held liable for incidental or
consequential damages arising from the sale, use, or installation of any Pentek product. Regardless of circumstances, Pentek's lia−
bility under this warranty shall not exceed the purchase price of the product.
Date Rev Comments
5/2/11 −
1/17/12
Preliminary For information about revisions to the Preliminary version of this manual, contact Pentek.
1/17/12 1.0 Added Appendix C, Global Positioning System (Option 261) and Disk Drive Installation
appendix is now Appendix D. Chapter 1, Section 1.2, and Section 1.4: added description of
Option 270. Section 1.1, added GPS option. Revised Section 4.12.
1/23/12 1.1 Revised Section 4.9.1, Section 4.9.2, Section 4.12.3, and Table 4−8.
3/19/12 1.2 Added Section 4.11.1.2, Section 4.11.2.7, and Figure 4−22. Revised Figures 4−19, 4−20, and 4−
21. Revised Section 4.11.1 and Table 7−1.
5/8/12 1.3 Chapter 1, Section 1.2, and Section 1.4: added description of Option 271. Revised Figure 4−3,
Figure 4−4, Figure 4−17, Figure 4−12, Figure 4−19, Figure 4−23, Table 2−2, Table 4−2, Table
4−7, and Table 4−8. Replaced example profiles in Section 4.9. Changed Megabyte to
Megasample throughout Section 4.11 and Section 4.12.
5/22/12 1.4 Corrected the data type of the GPS fields in Table 7−1, Talon File Header Format.
6/25/12 2.0 Added Section 1.4.9, Section 2.1.4, Figure 2−4, and Section 4.11.2.9. Revised Figures 4−19, 4−
20, 4−21, 4−22, 4−26, 4−28, 4−30, 4−42, 4−43, 4−45, and 4−62. Revised Section 1.2, Section
4.14.3, Section 4.14.4, Section 4.14.12, Section 4.15.12, and Section A.1.
12/12/12 2.1 Revised Chapter 2 to reflect chassis variations. Revised Chapter 4 to reflect additional board
configuration screens.
5/1/13 2.2 Revised Warranty. Removed product options list from Chapter 1. See 2706 data sheet.
5/14/13 2.3 Revised Table 4−8.
6/3/13 2.4 Revised footnote for Table 4−2, Table 4−3, Table 4−5, and Table 4−7.
6/4/13 2.5 Revised Table 4−8.
8/4/14 3.0 Restructured the document.
9/3/14 3.1 Updated Chapter 9 for Revision 3.12 of the Signal Viewer. Added Section 5.8. Addressed KB
Cases 1431 and 1433.
3/16/15 3.2 Chapter 1, revised based on updated datasheet. Chapter 7, added data format information.
Printed in the United States of America.

Page iii Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual
Service and Repair
You must obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) before returning any product to Pentek for service or repair. RMA
requests must be submitted online at: Return Material Authorization Form
After the form is completed in its entirety and submitted, Pentek shall e−mail you a receipt and start processing your request.
Once your request has been approved, Pentek shall e−mail you an RMA number, shipping instructions, and a quotation, if the
product is out of warranty.
Carefully package the product in its original packaging if it is still available, and ship it to Pentek prepaid (if within the US) or free
domicile DDP (if outside the US). Pentek shall not be responsible for loss or damage in shipment to Pentek, so you are strongly
encouraged to insure the shipment for its full replacement value.
When the work is completed, we will return the product to you along with a statement of work performed.
Service phone: 201−818−5900 • fax: 201−818−5697 • email: [email protected]
Copyrights
The contents of this publication are Copyright © 2011−2015, Pentek, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contents of this publication may not
be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Trademarks
Pentek, RTS, SystemFlow, and Talon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pentek, Inc.
Intel and Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. PCI, PCI Express, PCIe, and PCI−SIG are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCI−SIG. Symmetricom is a regis−
tered trademark of Symmetricom, Inc. Xilinx and Virtex are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xilinx, Inc.

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Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual Page v
Page
Table of Contents
Rev: 3.2
Chapter 1: Overview of the Pentek Talon RTS 2706
1.1 Features of the Pentek Talon RTS 2706..............................................................................................1
1.2 Basic Principles of Operation..............................................................................................................2
1.3 Hardware...............................................................................................................................................2
1.4 Software .................................................................................................................................................2
1.5 Talon RTS 2706 Specifications.............................................................................................................3
1.5.1 PC Workstation ...................................................................................................................3
1.5.2 Analog Signal Inputs ..........................................................................................................3
1.5.3 A/D Converters ..................................................................................................................3
1.5.4 Digital Downconverter ......................................................................................................3
1.5.5 Analog Signal Outputs ......................................................................................................4
1.5.6 Digital Upconverter and D/As .........................................................................................4
1.5.7 Sample and Reference Clocks ...........................................................................................4
1.5.8 Physical and Environmental .............................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Hardware Description
2.1 Front of Chassis.....................................................................................................................................5
Figure 2−1: Front of Chassis ..............................................................................................................5
2.1.1 CD/DVD R/W Optical Drive ...........................................................................................5
Figure 2−2: Close−up View of CD/DVD Drive and SATA Drives...........................6
2.1.2 Removable SATA RAID Drives ........................................................................................6
2.1.3 Controls and Indicators on the Front of the Chassis .....................................................7
Figure 2−3: Controls and Indicators on the Front of the Chassis ..............................7
2.2 Back of Chassis......................................................................................................................................8
Figure 2−4: Back of Chassis ...............................................................................................................8
2.2.1 IEC Power Receptacles .......................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Pentek Board I/O, Optional GPS, and Video Connections ..........................................8
2.2.3 PC Motherboard I/O Panel ...............................................................................................8
Chapter 3: Pentek Board I/O Connections
Table 3−1: Recording/Playback Options.........................................................................................9
Table 3−2: Documentation for Pentek Cobalt PCIe Boards Used in a Talon System............9

Page vi Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual
Page
Table of Contents
Rev: 3.2
Chapter 4: Starting the System
4.1 Unpacking the Unit............................................................................................................................ 11
4.2 Power Requirements.......................................................................................................................... 11
4.3 Preparing the System for Operation................................................................................................ 11
4.4 Boot−Up Sequence ............................................................................................................................. 12
4.5 Maintenance........................................................................................................................................ 12
4.6 Safety Precautions and Warnings ................................................................................................... 13
Chapter 5: Configuring the Talon System
5.1 Introduction: SystemFlow Software................................................................................................ 15
5.2 Launching the SystemFlow GUI...................................................................................................... 15
5.3 Description of the SystemFlow GUI................................................................................................ 16
Figure 5−1: Talon Main Configuration Screen............................................................................ 16
5.4 Configure Screen: Talon System Block Diagram........................................................................... 17
Figure 5−2: Configure Screen −Talon System Sample Block Diagram................................. 17
5.5 Configuring a Remote Server ........................................................................................................... 18
Figure 5−3: Configure Screen −Remote Server Configuration ............................................... 18
5.6 Configuring the Talon System Using a Profile .............................................................................. 18
Figure 5−4: Configure Screen −Profile Configuration Buttons............................................... 19
5.6.1 Loading a profile .............................................................................................................. 19
5.6.2 Saving a Profile ................................................................................................................. 19
5.7 Configuring the Talon System Using the Configuration Panel................................................... 20
5.7.1 Configuration Panel ......................................................................................................... 20
Figure 5−5: Configuration Panel ................................................................................... 20
5.7.2 Input Channel Clock Parameters ................................................................................... 21
Figure 5−6: Input Channel Clock Parameters Configuration Screen..................... 21
Table 5−1: Input Channel Clock Parameters .............................................................. 22
5.7.3 Configuring Input Channel Parameters ....................................................................... 23
Figure 5−7: Example of Input Channel Parameters Configuration Screen........... 23
Table 5−2: Input Channel Parameters.......................................................................... 24
5.7.4 Output Channel Clock Parameters ................................................................................ 25
Figure 5−8: Output Channel Clock Parameters Configuration Screen.................. 25
Table 5−3: Output Channel Clock Parameters ........................................................... 26
5.7.5 Configuring Output Channel Parameters .................................................................... 27
Figure 5−9: Output Channel Parameters Configuration Screen ............................. 27
Table 5−4: Output Channel Parameters....................................................................... 28
5.8 Sync Guidelines .................................................................................................................................. 29

Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual Page vii
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Rev: 3.2
Chapter 6: Recording a Signal
6.1 The Record Screen ..............................................................................................................................31
Figure 6−1: Record Screen................................................................................................................31
6.2 Record Channel Controls ..................................................................................................................32
Figure 6−2: Record Screen: Channel Controls..............................................................................32
6.2.1 File Name and Browse .....................................................................................................32
6.2.2 Overwrite ...........................................................................................................................33
6.2.3 Record Until Manual Stop ...............................................................................................33
6.2.4 Record by Time .................................................................................................................33
6.2.5 Record by File Size ...........................................................................................................33
6.2.6 Loop ....................................................................................................................................34
6.2.7 Master Record ...................................................................................................................35
6.2.8 Record Button ....................................................................................................................35
6.2.9 Stop Button ........................................................................................................................35
6.2.10 Status ..................................................................................................................................35
6.2.11 Channel Position (MSs) ....................................................................................................35
6.2.12 Data Rate (MS/s) ..............................................................................................................35
6.2.13 Data Loss ............................................................................................................................36
6.3 Master Record Controls .....................................................................................................................37
Figure 6−3: Record Screen −Master Controls ..............................................................................37
6.3.1 Master Record Button ......................................................................................................37
6.3.2 Master Stop Button ...........................................................................................................37
6.3.3 Record Until Stop −Master Recording ..........................................................................37
6.3.4 Record by Time −Master Recording .............................................................................38
6.3.5 Master Status .....................................................................................................................38
6.3.6 Master Data Loss ..............................................................................................................38
6.3.7 Master Current Position (Secs) .......................................................................................39
6.3.8 Record GPS Position .........................................................................................................39
6.3.9 Signal Viewer ....................................................................................................................39
6.3.10 Programmable Recording Start Time ............................................................................39
Figure 6−4: Start Time......................................................................................................39
Chapter 7: Recorded Data Format
7.1 IF data...................................................................................................................................................41
7.2 Baseband data .....................................................................................................................................41
7.3 File Header Format.............................................................................................................................42
Table 7−1: Talon File Header Format.............................................................................................42

Page viii Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual
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Rev: 3.2
Chapter 8: Playing a Recorded File
8.1 The Play Screen................................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 8−1: Play Screen .................................................................................................................... 45
8.2 Play Channel Controls....................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 8−2: Play Screen: Channel Controls.................................................................................. 46
8.2.1 File Name and Browse ..................................................................................................... 46
8.2.2 Start Position ..................................................................................................................... 46
8.2.3 Play Until Manual Stop ................................................................................................... 46
8.2.4 Play by Time ..................................................................................................................... 47
8.2.5 Play by File Size ................................................................................................................ 47
8.2.6 Loop ................................................................................................................................... 47
8.2.7 Master Play ........................................................................................................................ 48
8.2.8 Play Button ........................................................................................................................ 48
8.2.9 Stop Button ........................................................................................................................ 48
8.2.10 Status .................................................................................................................................. 48
8.2.11 Channel Position (MSs) ...................................................................................................48
8.2.12 Data Rate (MS/s) .............................................................................................................. 48
8.2.13 Data Loss ........................................................................................................................... 49
8.3 Master Play Controls ......................................................................................................................... 50
Figure 8−3: Play Screen −Master Controls .................................................................................. 50
8.3.1 Master Play Button ........................................................................................................... 50
8.3.2 Master Stop Button .......................................................................................................... 50
8.3.3 Play Until Manual Stop −Master Playback ................................................................. 50
8.3.4 Play by Time −Master Playback .................................................................................... 51
8.3.5 Master Status ..................................................................................................................... 51
8.3.6 Master Data Loss .............................................................................................................. 51
8.3.7 Master Current Position (Secs) ....................................................................................... 51
8.3.8 File Viewer ........................................................................................................................ 51
Chapter 9: Monitoring Input Signals with Signal Viewer
9.1 Introduction: the Signal Viewer ....................................................................................................... 53
9.2 Signal Viewer Displays and Display Controls............................................................................... 54
Figure 9−1: Signal Viewer (Default Display) .............................................................................. 54
Figure 9−2: Samples/Time Switch.................................................................................................. 54
Figure 9−3: Amplitude Switch (Time Display) ........................................................................... 55
Figure 9−4: Display Type Switch ................................................................................................... 55
Figure 9−5: Signal Viewer with Frequency−Time−Intensity Display in Left Window...... 56
Figure 9−6: Amplitude Switch (Frequency Magnitude Display) ............................................ 56

Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual Page ix
Page
Table of Contents
Rev: 3.2
Chapter 9: Monitoring Input Signals with Signal Viewer (continued)
9.3 Input Controls .....................................................................................................................................57
9.3.1 Resume, Pause and Close ................................................................................................57
Figure 9−7: Resume, Pause and Close Buttons ...........................................................57
9.3.2 Channel Index and Board Index .....................................................................................57
Figure 9−8: Channel Index and Board Index...............................................................57
9.3.3 FFT Size ..............................................................................................................................57
Figure 9−9: FFT Size.........................................................................................................57
9.3.4 Spectrum Averaging ........................................................................................................58
Figure 9−10: Averaging Control.....................................................................................58
9.3.5 Baseband / IF Frequency Scale .......................................................................................58
Figure 9−11: Baseband / IF Frequency Scale Control.................................................58
9.4 Data Displayed....................................................................................................................................59
9.4.1 System, Server and Board Model ...................................................................................59
Figure 9−12: Example of System, Server, and Board Model Fields ........................59
9.4.2 Signal Characteristics .......................................................................................................59
Figure 9−13: Signal Characteristics ...............................................................................59
9.4.3 Amplitude Calculator ......................................................................................................60
Figure 9−14: Amplitude Calculator ...............................................................................60
9.4.4 Distortion Calculator ........................................................................................................61
Figure 9−15: Distortion Calculator ................................................................................61
9.4.5 Resolution Bandwidth Calculator ..................................................................................61
Figure 9−16: Resolution Bandwidth Calculator..........................................................61
Chapter 10: Analyzing Recorded Signals with File Viewer
10.1 Introduction: the File Viewer............................................................................................................63
10.2 Differences Between the Signal Viewer and the File Viewer.......................................................63
10.3 Selecting a File to View ......................................................................................................................64
Figure 10−1: Playback Controls.......................................................................................................64
Figure 10−2: File Viewer File Selection Browser.........................................................................65
10.4 Display and Playback Controls ........................................................................................................66
Figure 10−3: Example of File Viewer .............................................................................................66
10.4.1 Display Controls ...............................................................................................................66
10.4.2 Playback Controls .............................................................................................................66
Figure 10−4: Play, Pause and Quit buttons..................................................................67
10.4.3 Playback Speed .................................................................................................................67
Figure 10−5: Playback Speed Switch ............................................................................67
10.4.4 Spectrum Averaging ........................................................................................................68
Figure 10−6: Exponential Averaging Control..............................................................68

Page x Talon RTS 2706 Operating Manual
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Rev: 3.2
Chapter 10: Analyzing Recorded Signals with File Viewer (continued)
10.5 Data Displayed ................................................................................................................................... 69
10.5.1 Board, System, Time Stamp, and Optional GPS .......................................................... 69
Figure 10−7: Board, System, Time Stamp, and Optional GPS ................................ 69
10.5.2 Signal Characteristics ....................................................................................................... 69
Figure 10−8: Signal Characteristics............................................................................... 69
10.5.3 Distortion Calculator ....................................................................................................... 70
Figure 10−9: Distortion Calculator................................................................................ 70
10.5.4 Amplitude Calculator ...................................................................................................... 71
Figure 10−10: Amplitude Calculator............................................................................. 71
10.6 Data Extraction Utility....................................................................................................................... 72
Figure 10−11: Playback Controls .................................................................................................... 72
Figure 10−12: Data Extraction Utility ............................................................................................ 72
Chapter 11: Display Controls for Signal and File Viewer
11.1 Display Zooming................................................................................................................................ 73
Figure 11−1: Time and FFT (Frequency) Display Controls ....................................................... 73
Figure 11−2: Time and FFT (Frequency) Display Controls ....................................................... 73
11.1.1 Horizontal Zoom .............................................................................................................. 74
11.1.2 Vertical Zoom ................................................................................................................... 74
11.1.3 Windowed Zoom ............................................................................................................. 74
11.1.4 Full Screen ......................................................................................................................... 74
11.1.5 Point Zoom ........................................................................................................................ 74
11.1.6 Point Shrink ....................................................................................................................... 74
11.2 Display Panning ................................................................................................................................. 75
11.3 Reset Scale −Time and Frequency Displays.................................................................................. 75
Figure 11−3: Reset Scale Buttons −Time and Frequency Displays......................................... 75
11.4 Cursor Operation ............................................................................................................................... 76
Figure 11−4: Create Cursor Menu .................................................................................................. 76
Figure 11−5: New Free Cursor 0...................................................................................................... 76
Figure 11−6: Cursor 0 Properties .................................................................................................... 77
Figure 11−7: Cursor 0 Attributes .................................................................................................... 78
Figure 11−8: Cursor Window with Single Free Cursor and Single−Plot Cursor.................. 78