Winradio WR-ETC-100 User guide

WiNRADiO®
WR-ETC-100
(for the G35DDCi)
Multichannel Coherent Application Guide for the
Extended Topology Configuration option (ETC)
Version 1.0

WR-G35DDCi Multichannel Coherent Application Guide for Extended topology configuration (ETC)
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Table of contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4
2. Parts description of the coherent system........................................................................... 6
2.1 WR-G35DDCi connectors............................................................................................ 6
2.2 The WiNRADiO Coherence Clock & 1PPS Kit (WR-CC1PPS-100).............................. 7
2.2.1 Coherent clock generator board ............................................................................ 8
2.2.2 PCIe connector...................................................................................................... 9
2.2.3 SMA connectors for sampling clock output............................................................ 9
2.2.4 Digital synchronization interface............................................................................ 9
2.2.5 Frequency reference output REF OUT.................................................................10
2.2.6 Frequency reference input REF IN.......................................................................10
2.2.7 1PPS trigger input ................................................................................................10
2.2.8 Locked indicator...................................................................................................10
2.2.9 SMA patch cables for Coherent clock distribution.................................................11
2.2.10 Digital synchronization cables for each WR-G35DDCi receiver..........................11
2.2.11 Digital synchronization cable for the Coherent clock generator board.................12
2.2.12 Frequency reference SMA interconnect cable ....................................................12
2.2.13 SMA terminators.................................................................................................13
2.2.14 Sampling clock oscillator input and outputs ........................................................14
2.2.15 SMA jumper cable..............................................................................................14
2.2.16 Pin header for disabling the sampling clock oscillator.........................................15
2.3 The WiNRADiO ETC kit (WR-ETC-100)......................................................................16
2.3.1 ETC kit board .......................................................................................................17
2.3.2 PCIe connector.....................................................................................................18
2.3.3 SMA connector SYNC IN......................................................................................18
2.3.4 SMA connector SYNC OUT..................................................................................18
2.3.5 Digital synchronization interface...........................................................................18
2.3.6 SMA adapter for the sampling clock.....................................................................19

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2.3.7 Digital synchronization cable for ETC board.........................................................19
2.3.8 30 cm SMA sampling clock patch cable................................................................19
2.3.9 SMA coaxial cables for the sampling clock and synchronization...........................20
2.4 The WiNRADiO PCIe Bracket Multi-SMA Adapter.......................................................22
3. ETC installation of up to eight receivers............................................................................23
3.1 Preparing the receivers for installation into a PC.........................................................26
3.2 Installing the receiver into a PC...................................................................................28
3.3 Installing the ETC board into the PC...........................................................................29
3.4 Interconnecting the Coherent Clock Generator board .................................................31
3.5 Installing the Coherent clock generator board into the PC...........................................32
3.6 Choosing the frequency reference ..............................................................................35
3.7 Connecting the CLOCK interconnection......................................................................36
3.8 Connecting the SYNC interconnection........................................................................37
3.9 Connecting the 1PPS signal........................................................................................39
3.10 Power up and driver installation ................................................................................39
4. Extended installation of up to sixteen receivers................................................................40
4.1 Connecting two Coherent clock generator boards.......................................................40
4.2 Installation of receivers................................................................................................42
5. Technical specification .....................................................................................................44
6. Contacts...........................................................................................................................45

WR-G35DDCi Multichannel Coherent Application Guide for Extended topology configuration (ETC)
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Introduction
The WiNRADiO WR-G35DDCi receiver optionally provides multichannel coherent operation.
A minimum of two and up to sixteen receivers can be coupled together for multichannel
operation.
This document does not describe the standard installation of WR-G35DDCi receivers for
multichannel coherent operation. The standard installation of the WR-G35DDCi receivers in
coherent mode requires all WR-G35DDCi receivers to be installed inside the same PC and
all connections between receivers and other supportive hardware are realized internally,
within the same PC. For standard installation please refer to WR-G35DDCi Multichannel
Coherent Application Guide.
This document describes non-standard, Extended Topology Configuration (ETC) for
multichannel coherent operation of the WR-G35DDCi receivers, which allows the receivers to
be installed in multiple PCs. Typically, each WR-G35DDCi receiver is installed in a separate
dedicated PC. Installation of multiple receivers inside the same PC is allowed in the ETC
configuration, however any receivers installed inside the same PC act the same way as they
would, when installed in separate dedicated PCs. In other words, each receiver has to run its
own instance of software. Also, it is not possible to mix the standard installation with the ETC
installation. All necessary connections between the receivers and other supportive hardware
are realized externally, outside of the PCs.
To couple up to eight receivers, the WR-CC1PPS-100 ‘WiNRADiO WR-G35DDCi Coherence
Clock & 1PPS Kit’ (the Clock Kit) has to be used, which is described in Section 2.2.
To couple from nine to sixteen receivers, two Clock Kits have to be used. For more than
sixteen channels please contact WiNRADiO.
Moreover, in Extended Topology Configuration (ETC), each WR-G35DDCi receiver has to be
equipped with the WR-ETC-100 ‘WiNRADiO Extended topology Configuration kit’(ETC kit).
Therefore, for ETC configuration, the number of ETC kits needed is equal to number of
WR-G35DDCi receivers in the coherent multichannel group. The ETC kit is described in
Section 2.3. The purpose of the ETC kit is to allow for external distribution of the sampling
clock and digital synchronization signals, outside of the PC.
For coherent operation, all WR-G35DDCi receivers must be clocked at exactly the same
frequency and phase. To achieve this requirement, it is necessary to distribute a sampling
clock from a single low phase noise clock source (from the Clock Kit). Therefore, the
receivers have to be equipped with an ADC Clock Input Option (/CR) for external
sampling clock provision.
Similar to the sampling clock, all commands and operations of the receivers must be
synchronized accordingly to the coherent sampling clock. For this reason, the receivers have
an external interconnection for digital synchronization, which is also provided on receivers
with an ADC Clock Input Option (/CR).

WR-G35DDCi Multichannel Coherent Application Guide for Extended topology configuration (ETC)
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An example of a one receiver, forming part of a multichannel coherent system in ETC
configuration is shown in Picture 1-2.
Picture 1-2: An example of a one WR-G35DDCi receiver, forming part of a multichannel
coherent system in ETC configuration with the ETC kit, installed into a PC (PC chassis and
other PC connections omitted for clarity). The WR-CC1PPS-100 kit is also required for
coherent operation, but is not shown in this picture.
The coaxial cables (shown in the picture) which are connected to the ETC kit carry the
sampling clock from the WR-CC1PPS-100 kit as well as the digital synchronization signals
needed to coherently synchronize all of the receivers together. The synchronization signals
are connected in a daisy chain manner; thus, two coaxial cables are needed to connect this
particular receiver to its two neighbouring receivers.

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2. Parts description of the coherent system
2.1 WR-G35DDCi connectors
The connectors required for coherent operation of the WR-G35DDCi receivers are shown in
Pictures 2-1 and 2-2 (present when the /CR option has been fitted):
Picture 2-1: Rear panel connectors of the WR-G35DDCi
Picture 2-2: Digital synchronization connector of the WR-G35DDCi, viewed on the PCB side

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2.2 The WiNRADiO Coherence Clock & 1PPS Kit (WR-CC1PPS-100)
The ‘WiNRADiO Coherence Clock & 1PPS Kit’(hereafter referred to as the 'Clock Kit')
provides production and distribution of a coherent 100 MHz clock for up to eight
WR-G35DDCi receivers as well as digital synchronization of the receivers. It also features an
internal frequency reference of 0.5 ppm stability, input for external frequency reference and
digital input for a 1PPS pulse or external trigger pulse. The Clock Kit consists of the following
components (shown in Picture 2-3):
1. Coherent clock generator board with 1PPS input
2. SMA patch cables for Coherent clock distribution (9 pcs)
3. Digital synchronization cables for each WR-G35DDCi receiver (8 pcs) –unused in
ETC configuration
4. Digital synchronization cable for Coherent clock generator board –unused in ETC
configuration
5. Frequency reference SMA interconnect cable
6. SMA terminators (7 pcs + 1 piece pre-installed on the board, see 8 below)
7. Sampling clock SMA coaxial jumper (factory pre-installed on the board)
8. Sampling clock SMA terminator (factory pre-installed on the board)
9. Standard circuit board jumper
Picture 2-3: The WiNRADiO WR-G35DDCi Coherence Clock & 1PPS Kit (the Clock Kit)
6
2
5
1
3
4
7
9
8
9x
7x
8x

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2.2.1 Coherent clock generator board
The Coherent clock generator board is shown in Picture 2-4. It is a PCIe card, which has to
be installed into PCIe slot inside a PC. The board generates a 100 MHz sampling clock for
up to eight WR-G35DDCi receivers. The sampling clock is locked to a frequency reference,
which can be internal or external. It also can distribute a 1PPS trigger signal from the 1PPS
input to the WR-G35DDCi receivers when used in a standard installation, but in the ETC
configuration this feature is not utilized.
In the ETC configuration, this board has to be accompanied with additional hardware –the
PCIe bracket multi-SMA adapter, described in Section 2.4. This hardware carries the clock
signals generated by this board out of the PC chassis, so the sampling clock can be
distributed to the receivers externally to the PC. As the sampling clock is distributed
externally, there is no requirement for this card to be installed together with any of
the WR-G35DDCi receivers in the ETC configuration.
No software driver is required for operation of the Coherent clock generator board.
For the technical specification of the board, please refer to chapter 5 of this document.
1 PCIe connector
2 SMA connectors for sampling clock
output
3 Frequency reference output REF OUT
4 Frequency reference input REF IN
5 Locked indicator
6 1PPS trigger input –unused in ETC
configuration
7 SMA connectors for local oscillator
output
8 SMA connector for local oscillator
input
9 Pin header for disabling the oscillator
10 Factory pre-installed SMA jumper
11 Factory pre-installed SMA terminator
Picture 2-4: Front view of the Coherent clock generator board with 1 PPS input
1
2
6
5
4
3
7
8
11
10
9

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2.2.2 PCIe connector
The PCIe connector provides power to the Coherent clock generator board. As there is no
data communication running through the PCIe connector, no software driver is required for
proper operation of the board. However, the board must be installed into a PCIe slot inside of
a PC.
2.2.3 SMA connectors for sampling clock output
There are eight SMA connectors for the sampling clock output provided on the Coherent
clock generator board. These are located on the top of the board and are facing upwards.
Each WR-G35DDCi receiver within a coherent group must be connected to one of these
ports using the SMA patch cables (for Coherent clock distribution) supplied with the Clock Kit
and described in Section 2.2.9. All ports are equivalent; therefore, any receiver within a
coherent group can be connected to any of these ports. However, unused ports have to be
terminated using the 50 ohm SMA terminators for proper operation.
Because the sampling clock is distributed externally to the PC in the ETC configuration,
extra hardware is needed to carry the clock signals out of the PC chassis. The PCIe bracket
multi-SMA adapter described in chapter 2.4.
For the technical specification of the sampling clock output signal, please refer to Chapter 5.
2.2.4 Digital synchronization interface
The digital synchronization interface is located on the rear side of the board. It is unused in
the ETC configuration and has to be left unconnected when operating in the ETC
configuration.
Picture 2-5: Rear view of the Coherent clock generator board showing the location
of the digital synchronization interface marked in red –it is unused and has to be left
unconnected in the ETC configuration

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2.2.5 Frequency reference output REF OUT
The frequency reference output is an SMA connector providing the 10 MHz (internally
derived) frequency reference output signal. This output can be connected to the REF IN input
port (Section 2.2.6) if the internal frequency reference operation of the board is required. Use
the Frequency Reference SMA Interconnect cable (described in Section 2.2.12 and provided
with the Clock Kit) to connect the REF OUT port to the REF IN port.
If unused, this port must be properly terminated using the 50 ohm terminator.
For the technical specification of the REF OUT, please refer to Chapter 5.
2.2.6 Frequency reference input REF IN
A signal provided to the frequency reference input REF IN serves as a frequency reference
for the 100 MHz sampling clock generator. It is a 50 ohm terminated SMA connector.
A 10 MHz reference signal must be provided on this input.
This input can be connected to the REF OUT output port (Section 2.2.5) if the internal
frequency reference operation of the board is required. Use the Frequency Reference SMA
Interconnect cable (described in Section 2.2.12 and provided with the Clock Kit) to connect
the REF OUT port to the REF IN port.
For the technical specification of the REF IN input, please refer to Chapter 5.
2.2.7 1PPS trigger input
The 1PPS trigger input is unused in the ETC configuration and has to be left unconnected
when operating in the ETC configuration.
2.2.8 Locked indicator
The ‘Locked’indicator is lit whenever the 100 MHz sampling clock generator is locked to
the frequency reference signal provided at the REF IN port. For more information about the
REF IN port please refer to Section 2.2.6.