Wiltron 681 A Series User manual

490 JARVIS DRIVE
MORGAN HILL, CA 95037-2809
SERIES
681XXA
SYNTHESIZED SWEEP GENERATOR
OPERATION MANUAL
P/N: 10370-10250
REVISION: A
PRINTED: JANUARY 1993
COPYRIGHT 1993 WILTRON CO.

WARRANTY
The WILTRON product(s) listed on the title page is (are) warranted against defects in materials
and workmanship for one year from the date of shipment, except for YIG-tuned oscillators and all
microwave components, which are warranted for two years.
WILTRON’s obligation covers repairing or replacing products which prove to be defective during
the warranty period. Buyers shall prepay transportation charges for equipment returned to WIL-
TRON for warranty repairs. Obligation is limited to the original purchaser. WILTRON is not liable
for consequential damages.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty does not apply to WILTRON connectors that have failed due to normal
wear. Also, the warranty does not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate mainte-
nance by the Buyer, unauthorized modification or misuse, oroperation outsideof the environmental
specifications of the product. No other warranty is expressed or implied, and the remedies provided
herein are the Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 — General Information
Chapter 1 provides general information about the WILTRON Series 681XXA Synthesized Sweep
Generator. It includes a general description of the sweep generator and information on its identifi-
cation number, related manuals, options, and performance specifications. A listing of recommended
test equipment is also provided. Chapter contents are detailed immediately following the tab.
Chapter 2 — Installation
Chapter 2 provides installation instructions for the Series 681XXA Synthesized Sweep Generator.
It includes information on initial inspection, preparation for use, storage, and reshipment, and
GPIB setup and interconnections. Chapter contents are detailed immediately following the tab.
Chapter 3 — Local (Front Panel) Operation
Chapter 3 provides information and instructions for operating the Series 681XXA Synthesized
Sweep Generator using the front panel controls. It includes illustrations of the front panel, data dis-
play area, and data entry area; an annotated diagram of the menu display format; and instructions
for performing sweep generator operations. Chapter contents are detailed immediately following
the tab.
Chapter 4 — Local Operation—Menu Maps
Chapter 4 provides menu maps that support the local (front panel) operating instructions found in
Chapter 3. It includes menu maps for all of the frequency, power level, and modulation modes of op-
eration plus system configuration. Chapter contents are detailed immediately following the tab.
Chapter 5 — Operation Verification
Chapter 5 provides three operation verification tests that can be used to verify Series 681XXA Syn-
thesized Sweep Generator operation. Setup instructions and step-by-step procedures are included
for each test. Test results can be compared with the specified limits shown on the test record forms
that are provided for each 681XXA model configuration. Chapter contents are detailed immediately
following the tab.
Chapter 6 — Operator Maintenance
Chapter 6 provides the information necessary for operator maintenance of the sweep generator. Op-
erator maintenance is limited to basic troubleshooting and repairs that can be made without remov-
ing the instrument covers. Chapter contents are detailed immediately following the tab.
681XXA OM i

Appendix A — Rear Panel Connectors
Appendix A provides descriptions of the rear panel connectors on a typical Series 681XXA Synthe-
sized Sweep Generator. It includes pinout diagrams and descriptions for the AUX I/O and IEEE-
488 GPIB connectors.
Appendix B — Performance Specifications
Appendix B lists the performance specifications for the Series 681XXA Synthesized Sweep
Generator.
Supplements
This tab provides a repository for application notes and other material used to supplement manual
chapters.
Index
Provides a subject index.
Table of Contents (Continued)
ii 681XXA OM

Table of Contents
1-1 SCOPE OF MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1-2 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1-3 DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1-4 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1-5 RELATED MANUALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1-6 OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1-7 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . 1-5
1-8 RECOMMENDED TEST EQUIPMENT . . . . . . 1-6
Chapter 1
General Information

Figure 1-1. Series 681XXA Synthesized Sweep Generator

Chapter 1
General Information
1-1 SCOPE OF MANUAL This manual provides general information, installation, and operating
information for the WILTRON Series 681XXASynthesized Sweep Gen-
erator. (Throughout this manual, the terms 681XXA and sweep gener-
ator will be used interchangeably to refer to the instrument.) Manual
organization is shown in the table of contents.
1-2 INTRODUCTION This chapter contains general information about the series 681XXA
sweep generators. It includes a general description of the instrument
and information on its identification number, related manuals, options,
and performance specifications. Alisting of recommended test equip-
ment is also provided.
1-3 DESCRIPTION The Series 681XXASynthesized Sweep Generators are microprocessor-
based, synthesized signal sources with high resolution phase-lock capa-
bility. They generate both broad (full range) and narrow band sweeps
and discrete CW frequencies across the frequency range of 10 MHz to
40 GHz. All functions of the sweep generator are fully controllable lo-
cally from the front panel or remotely (except for power on/standby) via
the IEEE-488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB).
The series presently consists of four models covering a variety of fre-
quency and power ranges. Table 1-1 lists all of the present models,
their frequency range, and their maximum leveled output power.
681XXA
Model Frequency (GHz) Output Power Output Power w/Optional Attenuator
68137A 2.0-20.0 GHz +13 dBm +10 dBm
68137A
w/Hi Pwr
Option 2.0-20.0 GHz +17 dBm +14 dBm
68147A 0.01-20.0 GHz +13 dBm +10 dBm
68147A
w/Hi Pwr
Option
0.01-2.0 GHz
2.0 -20.0 GHz +13 dBm +17 dBm +10 dBm +14 dBm
68163A 2.0-40.0 GHz +6 dBm +2 dBm
Table 1-1. Series 681XXA Models
681XXA OM 1-3

1-4 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER All WILTRON instruments are assigned a unique six-digit ID number,
such as “201001”. The ID number is imprinted on a decal that is af-
fixed to the rear panel of the unit. Special-order instrument configura-
tions also have an additional special serial number tag attached to the
rear panel of the unit.
When ordering parts or corresponding with WILTRON Customer Serv-
ice, please use the correct serial number with reference to the specific
instrument’s model number (i.e., Model 68147ASynthesized Sweep
Generator, Serial No. 201001).
1-5 RELATED MANUALS This is one of a three manual set that consists of an Operation Manual
(OM) , a Programming Manual (PM), and a Maintenance Manual
(MM). The PM provides programming information for remote opera-
tion of the series 681XXAsweep generator via the IEEE 488 interface
bus (GPIB) . It contains a general description of the GPIB, a brief intro-
duction to Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI)
programming, and lists and describes all SCPI commands currently im-
plemented by the sweep generator. The WILTRON part number for the
PM is 10370-10254.
The MM supplies service information for all models in the 681XXAse-
ries. The service information includes functional circuit descriptions,
block diagrams, performance verification tests, calibration procedures,
troubleshooting data, maintenance procedures, and assembly-level
drawings. The WILTRON part number for the MM is 10370-10252.
1-6 OPTIONS The following options are available.
Option 1, Rack Mounting. Rack mount kit containing a set of
track slides (90°tilt capability), mounting ears, and front panel
handles for mounting the instrument in a standard 19-inch equip-
ment rack.
Option 2A, 110 dB Step Attenuator. Adds a 10 dB per step
attenuator with a 110 dB range for models having a high-end fre-
quency of ≤20 GHz. Output power is selected directly in dBm on
the front panel (or via GPIB) over a 122 dB range. Rated output
power is reduced by 3 dB.
Option 2B, 110 dB Step Attenuator. Adds a 10 dB per step
attenuator with a 110 dB range for models having a high-end fre-
quency of ≤40 GHz. Output power is selected directly in dBm on
the front panel (or via GPIB) over a 122 dB range. Rated output
power is reduced by 4 dB.
GENERAL IDENTIFICATION
INFORMATION NUMBER
1-4 681XXA OM

Option 9K, Rear Panel RF Output. Adds an RF output connec-
tor (K-Connector ®, female) to the rear panel and deletes the RF
output connector on the front panel.
Option 11, 0.1 Hz Frequency Resolution. Provides frequency
resolution of 0.1 Hz.
Option 14, WILTRON 360B VNACompatibility. Modifies rack
mounting hardware to mate unit in a Wiltron 360B VNA console.
Option 15, High Power Output. Adds high-power RF compo-
nents to the instrument providing 50 mW RF output power in the
2–20 GHz frequency range. This option is only available for mod-
els 68137A and 68147A .
Option 16, High-Stability Time Base. Adds an ovenized,
10 MHz crystal oscillator with <5 x 10–10/day frequency stability.
Option 17, No Front Panel. Deletes the front panel for use in
remote control applications where a front panel display or key-
board control are not needed.
1-7 PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
System performance specifications are provided in Appendix B.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION SPECIFICATIONS
K Connector ®is a registered trademark of WILTRON Company.
681XXA OM 1-5

1-8 RECOMMENDED TEST
EQUIPMENT
Table 1-2 lists the recommended test equipment for performing the Se-
ries 681XXASynthesized Sweep Generator operation verification tests
in Chapter 5.
Instrument Critical Specification Recommended Manufacturer/Model
Frequency
Counter,
with
External Mixer
Range: 0.01 to 40 GHz
Input Z: 50 Ω
Resolution: 1 Hz
Other: External Time Base
Input
EIP Microwave, Inc. Model 578A, with
External Mixer:
Option 91 (26.5 to 40 GHz)
Power Meter,
with
Power
Sensor
Range: –30 to +20 dBm
(1µW to 100 mW) Hewlett-Packard Model 437B,
with
Power Sensor:
HP 8487A (0.01 to 50 GHz)
Oscilloscope
Bandwidth: DC to 150 MHz
Vertical Sensitivity: 2 mV/
division
Horiz Sensitivity: 50 ns/
division
Tektronix, Inc. Model 2445
Table 1-2. Recommended Test Equipment
GENERAL RECOMMENDED
INFORMATION TEST EQUIPMENT
1-6 681XXA OM