Given we have cheap optical spectrometers etc, I wonder at what point it will become easier to upconvert to "daylight" than down convert to baseband...
*Summary 1/2* *Introduction to the FE170 SR Module* - 00:07 Introduction to the episode discussing high-frequency RF instrumentation. - 00:12 Focus on the Roden Schwarz FE170 SR, a 110 to 170 GHz RF front-end module. - 00:17 Highlights of the FE170 SR's capabilities, including compatibility with spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes, electronic attenuators, and reliability in measurements. *Historical Methods for High-Frequency Measurement* - 00:59 Discussion on the significance of the Roden Schwarz FE170 as a leap forward. - 01:04 Historical methods of measuring near-terahertz signals using simple diode down conversion. - 01:17 Example of an older down converter module and its functionality. - 01:23 How the EM wave interacts with the diode and mixes with an LO signal to create an IF signal. - 01:40 The limitations of older systems, such as the need for manual biasing and poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). - 01:57 High multiplication factor and the effects on linearity and noise figure. - 02:24 Manual entry of conversion loss tables required for calibrated measurements. - 02:41 The increase in system uncertainty with additional components. - 02:53 Limitations of broadband IF frequency response. - 03:04 Introduction of balanced diodes and mixers for improved performance. - 03:10 Examples of 75 to 110 GHz mixers from Roden Schwarz and HP. - 03:33 The remaining issues with harmonic mixers and the need for manual configuration. *Evolution of Smart Mixers* - 04:18 Anritsu's introduction of smart mixers and the benefits of abstraction. - 04:35 The USB connection for downloading calibration data to the spectrum analyzer automatically. - 04:57 Advantages and remaining limitations of smart mixers, including handling modulated signals. - 05:44 Keysight's V350 frequency extender improvements. - 06:03 The V350's front-end features and dependency on the UXA spectrum analyzer. *Roden Schwarz FE170 SR's Unique Capabilities* - 06:21 Before Roden Schwarz's FE170, limitations persisted above 110 GHz. - 06:27 VDI's role in extending measurement capabilities to terahertz frequencies. - 06:52 Roden Schwarz's solution for simplifying measurements above 110 GHz without being tied to a specific instrument. *Detailed Look at the FE170 SR* - 07:11 Introduction to the FE170 SR's physical features. - 07:16 Front interface and smart accessory connection capabilities. - 07:44 Automatic downloading of specifications for connected accessories. - 07:56 Display of ethernet settings on the unit. - 08:08 Back panel connections and the unit's unique architecture. - 08:14 Ethernet, power, USB, and SMA connectors for IF, reference, LO input, and LO output. - 08:39 The unit's internal PLL, flexibility with reference signals, and cascading capabilities. - 09:04 Importance of the included connections for myo measurements. *Block Diagram Analysis of FE170 SR* - 09:16 Inability to disassemble the unit due to intellectual property protection. - 09:22 Simplified block diagram explanation of the FE170 SR. - 09:34 Mention of the STD, a transmit version, for a future discussion. - 09:39 Connectivity with smart accessories like bandpass filters. - 09:46 Automatic calibration and embedding of smart accessory responses. - 09:59 How the FE170 SR front end's sensitivity range benefits from smart accessory filters. *Understanding the FE170 SR's Front End* - 10:25 Importance of manual, externally selectable pre-selector filters to avoid errors. - 10:31 The FE170 SR features these filters for improved measurement accuracy. - 10:37 The front-end waveguide input and programmable attenuator for handling signals with large dynamic range. - 10:42 Adjustable attenuation aids in achieving optimal linearity and noise performance. - 10:48 An LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) follows the programmable attenuator to enhance the front end's performance. - 10:55 The combination of LNA and attenuator determines the system's linearity and noise figure. - 11:02 An isolator precedes the mixer, which is likely a fundamental mixer. - 11:07 The mixer outputs an IF signal between 5 to 15 GHz, which is then amplified and can be sent to various instruments. *Internal Architecture and LO Signal Path* - 11:24 The FE170 SR's independent built-in PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) synthesizes its own clock frequency. - 11:31 Minimal external reference requirements for the internal PLL, which can use 10 MHz, 640 MHz, or 1 GHz references. - 11:44 These reference frequencies are compatible with specific Roden Schwarz and Keysight equipment. - 11:59 The internal IF frequency range is from 8 to 16 GHz, enabling device cascading or external LO input. - 12:05 Using the LO output, multiple FE170 SRs can be coherently locked for synchronized measurements. - 12:24 The signal path includes doublers and an amplifier before reaching the mixer. - 12:30 Speculation about additional doublers not shown in the diagram, necessary for reaching up to 170 GHz. - 12:41 Roden Schwarz may need to clarify potential missing components. - 12:47 The FE170 SR's internal PLL provides independence from external LO sources and competes with other high-quality LOs. *Key Specifications of the FE170 SR* - 13:01 Review of important specifications, including the frequency response from 110 to 170 GHz (overrange to 175 GHz). - 13:12 Availability of bandpass filters and the wide range of attenuation for input compression management. - 13:29 The FE170 SR offers fine control over dynamic range with 1 dB step attenuations. - 13:47 Displayed average noise level is impressively low for the high-frequency operation. - 13:58 Measurement uncertainty ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 dB, which is considered good for these frequencies. *EVM and Phase Noise Performance* - 14:15 Discussion on the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) for measuring broadband modulated signals at high frequencies. - 14:27 EVM challenges in cascading FE170 STD and FE170 SR units due to compounded imperfections like phase noise and nonlinearity. - 14:45 The FE170 SR maintains a consistent EVM across a certain dynamic range. - 15:03 Good phase-locked loop design contributes to the device's high linearity and low noise, allowing for wide dynamic range measurements. - 15:20 Provision of phase noise plots that reflect combined performance when using multiple units. *Deband Measurement Setup* - 15:32 Mention of datasheet details for reference. - 15:38 Description of the deband measurement setup requirements. - 15:44 The setup includes an IQ direct conversion up converter. - 15:51 The converter operates in the 110 GHz to 170 GHz range. - 15:58 Simplified interface explanation for the converter. - 16:05 The converter takes differential IQ inputs and an LO input. - 16:11 It provides a single transmitter output. - 16:17 LO and IQ sources from Roden Schwarz SMM4 and Keysight M819A, respectively. - 16:30 Remarks on the SMM4 not being a modern instrument and its potential impact on phase noise. *Connecting and Configuring the FE170 SR* - 16:42 Transmitter output connected to a manual adjustable attenuator and then to the FE170 SR.
*Summary 2/2* - 16:48 IF output of the FE170 SR can be connected to other instruments like the FSW or RTP. - 16:54 Current connection to the Roden Schwarz RTP for analysis. - 17:00 RTP firmware is designed to automatically communicate with the FE170. - 17:06 Simplest deband setup with only Ethernet and a 10 MHz reference from the RTP. - 17:12 Abstraction level in the setup is ideal for frequency range measurements. *Using Roden Schwarz RTP with FE170 SR* - 17:19 Mention of a bonus device to be shown later. - 17:31 Configuring the Roden Schwarz RTP to work with the FE170 SR. - 17:36 FE170 SR used as an external downconverter for the RTP. - 17:41 Accessing the external front end option in the RTP menu. - 17:48 Configuration steps for connecting the FE170 SR to the RTP. - 17:53 Steps include connecting the 10 MHz reference output and the IF output. - 18:04 Entering the FE170's IP address to set up the connection. - 18:11 The RTP downloads parameters and sets everything up automatically. - 18:17 Users can specify the RF frequency of interest. - 18:23 FE170 adjusts its internal PLL frequencies to match the desired RF frequency. - 18:34 Process occurs in the background without user intervention. - 18:41 Example of how 145 GHz frequency is mapped internally. - 18:47 Consistent IF output regardless of the RF frequency set by the user. - 18:59 Suggestion for further firmware improvements for automatic mapping. *Optimizing and Analyzing Signal with FE170 SR* - 19:17 Option to apply an external LO for phase noise management. - 19:23 Ability to enable LO output and manually set RF attenuation. - 19:29 Importance of RF attenuation settings for analyzing nonlinearity. - 19:35 Adjustments help determine the source of nonlinearity in measurements. - 19:42 Options for EVM optimization and internal parameter adjustments. - 19:48 The instrument ensures optimal placement of IF, RF, and PLL frequencies using calibration coefficients. - 20:01 Positive remarks on the setup's efficiency and ease of use. *Broadband Image Rejection Analysis* - 20:06 Activation of the transmitter. - 20:14 Injection of 100 tones spanning 50 MHz to 1 GHz into the IQ up converter. - 20:20 Simultaneous application of all tones. - 20:26 Observation of broadband image rejection by the deband upconverter. - 20:31 Over 30 dB of image rejection noted at 145 GHz. - 20:37 Presence of a strong Local Oscillator (LO) signal that needs to be addressed. - 20:43 The ability to analyze all tones on the same screen. *Fine-Tuning the IQ Up Converter and FE170 SR* - 20:56 External attenuation and nonlinearities observed. - 21:09 Adjusting software parameters to address Local Oscillator (LO) leakage. - 21:15 Successful reduction of LO feedthrough after software corrections. - 21:21 Analysis of Broadband image rejection capabilities of the IQ up converter and FE170 SR. - 21:38 Two-tone test to measure third-order intermodulation (IM3) and front-end attenuation effects. *Measuring Two-Tone Intermodulation and Front-End Attenuation* - 21:45 Observing two tones 5 MHz apart to assess IM3. - 21:57 Adjusting front-end attenuation to ensure accurate IM3 measurements. - 22:09 Using cursors on the FFT to measure output power and IM3. - 22:39 Exploring the impact of front-end gain adjustments on IM3 measurements. *Assessing FE170 SR's Spurious Tones* - 23:40 Testing for the presence of spurious tones across a wide IF bandwidth. - 23:51 Connecting the IF output to a spectrum analyzer to avoid RTP-induced spurious tones. - 24:03 Using the FSW spectrum analyzer for clean measurements. - 24:20 Single tone output at 145 GHz shows no spurious tones across a 10 GHz span. - 24:32 Benefits of careful frequency planning and IF selection in the FE170 SR to avoid images. - 24:49 Investigation of a spurious tone and its origins. - 25:07 Using external attenuation to differentiate between spurious tones from the FE170 SR and other sources. - 25:50 Full range check for spurious tones, confirming the FE170 SR's clean performance. *Signal Analysis with the VSE Software* - 26:34 The VSE software's ability to recognize the FE170 SR and treat it like an external down converter. - 26:51 Analyzing a complex 32 QAM signal at a carrier frequency of 45 GHz. - 27:11 Observing intermittent phase noise impairment in the signal. - 27:48 Importance of integrated measurements at D-band frequencies with the FE170 SR. *Introducing the Roden Schwarz NRP Sensor* - 28:35 Introduction of the new Roden Schwarz NRP power sensor for the 110 to 170 GHz range. - 28:42 Fast measurement capabilities of the NRP sensor, which is unique for its frequency band. - 29:02 The NRP sensor's operating range and its compatibility with the NRX platform. - 29:19 Demonstrating the NRP sensor's measurement accuracy and speed. *Potential Improvements for the FE170 SR* - 30:31 Suggestions for firmware improvements to enhance stability and usability. - 30:37 Ideas for further abstracting functionality and ensuring full support in the spectrum analyzer. - 30:48 Possible future enhancements, such as adding an electronic pre-selector for the FE170 SR. *Closing Remarks and Future Prospects* - 30:54 Anticipation of future improvements and revisions to the FE170 SR. - 31:01 Positive summary of the Roden Schwarz FE170's capabilities and its role in the company's RF equipment lineup. - 31:07 Acknowledgment of recent innovations and advancements from Roden Schwarz. - 31:13 Excitement for future developments from the company. - 31:19 Invitation for comments and questions, with a note that the FE170 will be returned and no further experiments can be conducted. - 31:24 Farewell and anticipation for the FE170's impact on the industry. Disclaimer: I used gpt4-1106 to summarize the video transcript. This method may make mistakes in recognizing words.
As an EE major I feel like I've just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Holy smokes. I subbed before even watching any of your videos, just the titles themselves are insane.
You showed the Tek 90-140 GHz mixer at 2:20 and said there is a previous video on it. I'm looking for it, but maybe link to it in the description also?
So basically FE170 is the VDI CCU/CCD product line on steriods with software calibration support. Hope they work on expanding the IF bandwidth further for the future revisions.
It is the CCU/CCD with front-end electronic attenuator, external calibrated filter support, LNA and broadband calibrated IF section. It also includes the built-in PLL.
Are we going to be seeing that secret sauce upconverter in a future video?( Assuming it's an unreleased future product of some sort you have early preview access to but can't show us yet)
I just got this video recommend. What the hell did I just step into? What's going on? I feel like I just went through a portal into another dimension, everyone in the comments is acting like this is all everyday stuff
Nice. But it is a shame the displayed frequency was not translated to the input frequency. The IF frequency is not interesting. It seems that all the necessary information was available to allow it.
Is it possible to contact you for input into developing a Thz meter? Im currently developed an rf meter 0.4 - 80 Ghz, I want to develop a Thz meter. However, its a new field which no Thz meter exists yet.
But the question remains. Why would you ever get involved with such military specs ultra high crazy high frequencies ??? It is beyond me. I don't know, nor have I heard of any local businesses using such high frequencies. Terrestrial TV goes up to 1GHz Cellular towers use a maximum of say... under 10GHz, Wi-Fi is up to 5-6GHz, and conventional radio transmissions are up to 108MHz. So what's the fuss about using this range?
6G Cellular is planning on utilizing sub THz and utilizing advanced regressive linear function implementations (better known as AI) to accurately model how the sub THz bands behave and path which was quite difficult in the past and limited their usability.
D band has already been assigned as fixed wireless so it's the current hot research area (7G, 8G, cellphone, satellite?). It seems weird to me because these are very dense waves. What possible RF propagation can you get from a portable device at these frequencies? At what point do you need to burn through barriers instead of pass through? It's getting kind of crazy like the CPU GHz wars that ran at thermonuclear temperatures. How about work on bandwidth efficiency instead of higher and higher frequencies?
If anyone from rohde/schwarz reading this I hope they know what a crazy cool video this is from some guy doing it all by himself.... daaaaaaaaaamn.
Not some guy, Shahriar is the Lab Leader (Director) of the RFIC & Packaging Research Lab at Bell Labs in New Jersey.
You personally have more test equipment than the not so small EE company I work for.
The wall behind him is probably worth more then the town / city block he's in.
One step closer to "daylight"
Given we have cheap optical spectrometers etc, I wonder at what point it will become easier to upconvert to "daylight" than down convert to baseband...
800-400 THz vs 0.170 THz
Well, this is 4 orders
@@phoneaccount6907 170Ghz is 4 orders from 17 MHz, which is still a respectable radio frequency. So it's not as far as you might think!
*Summary 1/2*
*Introduction to the FE170 SR Module*
- 00:07 Introduction to the episode discussing high-frequency RF instrumentation.
- 00:12 Focus on the Roden Schwarz FE170 SR, a 110 to 170 GHz RF front-end module.
- 00:17 Highlights of the FE170 SR's capabilities, including compatibility with spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes, electronic attenuators, and reliability in measurements.
*Historical Methods for High-Frequency Measurement*
- 00:59 Discussion on the significance of the Roden Schwarz FE170 as a leap forward.
- 01:04 Historical methods of measuring near-terahertz signals using simple diode down conversion.
- 01:17 Example of an older down converter module and its functionality.
- 01:23 How the EM wave interacts with the diode and mixes with an LO signal to create an IF signal.
- 01:40 The limitations of older systems, such as the need for manual biasing and poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
- 01:57 High multiplication factor and the effects on linearity and noise figure.
- 02:24 Manual entry of conversion loss tables required for calibrated measurements.
- 02:41 The increase in system uncertainty with additional components.
- 02:53 Limitations of broadband IF frequency response.
- 03:04 Introduction of balanced diodes and mixers for improved performance.
- 03:10 Examples of 75 to 110 GHz mixers from Roden Schwarz and HP.
- 03:33 The remaining issues with harmonic mixers and the need for manual configuration.
*Evolution of Smart Mixers*
- 04:18 Anritsu's introduction of smart mixers and the benefits of abstraction.
- 04:35 The USB connection for downloading calibration data to the spectrum analyzer automatically.
- 04:57 Advantages and remaining limitations of smart mixers, including handling modulated signals.
- 05:44 Keysight's V350 frequency extender improvements.
- 06:03 The V350's front-end features and dependency on the UXA spectrum analyzer.
*Roden Schwarz FE170 SR's Unique Capabilities*
- 06:21 Before Roden Schwarz's FE170, limitations persisted above 110 GHz.
- 06:27 VDI's role in extending measurement capabilities to terahertz frequencies.
- 06:52 Roden Schwarz's solution for simplifying measurements above 110 GHz without being tied to a specific instrument.
*Detailed Look at the FE170 SR*
- 07:11 Introduction to the FE170 SR's physical features.
- 07:16 Front interface and smart accessory connection capabilities.
- 07:44 Automatic downloading of specifications for connected accessories.
- 07:56 Display of ethernet settings on the unit.
- 08:08 Back panel connections and the unit's unique architecture.
- 08:14 Ethernet, power, USB, and SMA connectors for IF, reference, LO input, and LO output.
- 08:39 The unit's internal PLL, flexibility with reference signals, and cascading capabilities.
- 09:04 Importance of the included connections for myo measurements.
*Block Diagram Analysis of FE170 SR*
- 09:16 Inability to disassemble the unit due to intellectual property protection.
- 09:22 Simplified block diagram explanation of the FE170 SR.
- 09:34 Mention of the STD, a transmit version, for a future discussion.
- 09:39 Connectivity with smart accessories like bandpass filters.
- 09:46 Automatic calibration and embedding of smart accessory responses.
- 09:59 How the FE170 SR front end's sensitivity range benefits from smart accessory filters.
*Understanding the FE170 SR's Front End*
- 10:25 Importance of manual, externally selectable pre-selector filters to avoid errors.
- 10:31 The FE170 SR features these filters for improved measurement accuracy.
- 10:37 The front-end waveguide input and programmable attenuator for handling signals with large dynamic range.
- 10:42 Adjustable attenuation aids in achieving optimal linearity and noise performance.
- 10:48 An LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) follows the programmable attenuator to enhance the front end's performance.
- 10:55 The combination of LNA and attenuator determines the system's linearity and noise figure.
- 11:02 An isolator precedes the mixer, which is likely a fundamental mixer.
- 11:07 The mixer outputs an IF signal between 5 to 15 GHz, which is then amplified and can be sent to various instruments.
*Internal Architecture and LO Signal Path*
- 11:24 The FE170 SR's independent built-in PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) synthesizes its own clock frequency.
- 11:31 Minimal external reference requirements for the internal PLL, which can use 10 MHz, 640 MHz, or 1 GHz references.
- 11:44 These reference frequencies are compatible with specific Roden Schwarz and Keysight equipment.
- 11:59 The internal IF frequency range is from 8 to 16 GHz, enabling device cascading or external LO input.
- 12:05 Using the LO output, multiple FE170 SRs can be coherently locked for synchronized measurements.
- 12:24 The signal path includes doublers and an amplifier before reaching the mixer.
- 12:30 Speculation about additional doublers not shown in the diagram, necessary for reaching up to 170 GHz.
- 12:41 Roden Schwarz may need to clarify potential missing components.
- 12:47 The FE170 SR's internal PLL provides independence from external LO sources and competes with other high-quality LOs.
*Key Specifications of the FE170 SR*
- 13:01 Review of important specifications, including the frequency response from 110 to 170 GHz (overrange to 175 GHz).
- 13:12 Availability of bandpass filters and the wide range of attenuation for input compression management.
- 13:29 The FE170 SR offers fine control over dynamic range with 1 dB step attenuations.
- 13:47 Displayed average noise level is impressively low for the high-frequency operation.
- 13:58 Measurement uncertainty ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 dB, which is considered good for these frequencies.
*EVM and Phase Noise Performance*
- 14:15 Discussion on the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) for measuring broadband modulated signals at high frequencies.
- 14:27 EVM challenges in cascading FE170 STD and FE170 SR units due to compounded imperfections like phase noise and nonlinearity.
- 14:45 The FE170 SR maintains a consistent EVM across a certain dynamic range.
- 15:03 Good phase-locked loop design contributes to the device's high linearity and low noise, allowing for wide dynamic range measurements.
- 15:20 Provision of phase noise plots that reflect combined performance when using multiple units.
*Deband Measurement Setup*
- 15:32 Mention of datasheet details for reference.
- 15:38 Description of the deband measurement setup requirements.
- 15:44 The setup includes an IQ direct conversion up converter.
- 15:51 The converter operates in the 110 GHz to 170 GHz range.
- 15:58 Simplified interface explanation for the converter.
- 16:05 The converter takes differential IQ inputs and an LO input.
- 16:11 It provides a single transmitter output.
- 16:17 LO and IQ sources from Roden Schwarz SMM4 and Keysight M819A, respectively.
- 16:30 Remarks on the SMM4 not being a modern instrument and its potential impact on phase noise.
*Connecting and Configuring the FE170 SR*
- 16:42 Transmitter output connected to a manual adjustable attenuator and then to the FE170 SR.
*Summary 2/2*
- 16:48 IF output of the FE170 SR can be connected to other instruments like the FSW or RTP.
- 16:54 Current connection to the Roden Schwarz RTP for analysis.
- 17:00 RTP firmware is designed to automatically communicate with the FE170.
- 17:06 Simplest deband setup with only Ethernet and a 10 MHz reference from the RTP.
- 17:12 Abstraction level in the setup is ideal for frequency range measurements.
*Using Roden Schwarz RTP with FE170 SR*
- 17:19 Mention of a bonus device to be shown later.
- 17:31 Configuring the Roden Schwarz RTP to work with the FE170 SR.
- 17:36 FE170 SR used as an external downconverter for the RTP.
- 17:41 Accessing the external front end option in the RTP menu.
- 17:48 Configuration steps for connecting the FE170 SR to the RTP.
- 17:53 Steps include connecting the 10 MHz reference output and the IF output.
- 18:04 Entering the FE170's IP address to set up the connection.
- 18:11 The RTP downloads parameters and sets everything up automatically.
- 18:17 Users can specify the RF frequency of interest.
- 18:23 FE170 adjusts its internal PLL frequencies to match the desired RF frequency.
- 18:34 Process occurs in the background without user intervention.
- 18:41 Example of how 145 GHz frequency is mapped internally.
- 18:47 Consistent IF output regardless of the RF frequency set by the user.
- 18:59 Suggestion for further firmware improvements for automatic mapping.
*Optimizing and Analyzing Signal with FE170 SR*
- 19:17 Option to apply an external LO for phase noise management.
- 19:23 Ability to enable LO output and manually set RF attenuation.
- 19:29 Importance of RF attenuation settings for analyzing nonlinearity.
- 19:35 Adjustments help determine the source of nonlinearity in measurements.
- 19:42 Options for EVM optimization and internal parameter adjustments.
- 19:48 The instrument ensures optimal placement of IF, RF, and PLL frequencies using calibration coefficients.
- 20:01 Positive remarks on the setup's efficiency and ease of use.
*Broadband Image Rejection Analysis*
- 20:06 Activation of the transmitter.
- 20:14 Injection of 100 tones spanning 50 MHz to 1 GHz into the IQ up converter.
- 20:20 Simultaneous application of all tones.
- 20:26 Observation of broadband image rejection by the deband upconverter.
- 20:31 Over 30 dB of image rejection noted at 145 GHz.
- 20:37 Presence of a strong Local Oscillator (LO) signal that needs to be addressed.
- 20:43 The ability to analyze all tones on the same screen.
*Fine-Tuning the IQ Up Converter and FE170 SR*
- 20:56 External attenuation and nonlinearities observed.
- 21:09 Adjusting software parameters to address Local Oscillator (LO) leakage.
- 21:15 Successful reduction of LO feedthrough after software corrections.
- 21:21 Analysis of Broadband image rejection capabilities of the IQ up converter and FE170 SR.
- 21:38 Two-tone test to measure third-order intermodulation (IM3) and front-end attenuation effects.
*Measuring Two-Tone Intermodulation and Front-End Attenuation*
- 21:45 Observing two tones 5 MHz apart to assess IM3.
- 21:57 Adjusting front-end attenuation to ensure accurate IM3 measurements.
- 22:09 Using cursors on the FFT to measure output power and IM3.
- 22:39 Exploring the impact of front-end gain adjustments on IM3 measurements.
*Assessing FE170 SR's Spurious Tones*
- 23:40 Testing for the presence of spurious tones across a wide IF bandwidth.
- 23:51 Connecting the IF output to a spectrum analyzer to avoid RTP-induced spurious tones.
- 24:03 Using the FSW spectrum analyzer for clean measurements.
- 24:20 Single tone output at 145 GHz shows no spurious tones across a 10 GHz span.
- 24:32 Benefits of careful frequency planning and IF selection in the FE170 SR to avoid images.
- 24:49 Investigation of a spurious tone and its origins.
- 25:07 Using external attenuation to differentiate between spurious tones from the FE170 SR and other sources.
- 25:50 Full range check for spurious tones, confirming the FE170 SR's clean performance.
*Signal Analysis with the VSE Software*
- 26:34 The VSE software's ability to recognize the FE170 SR and treat it like an external down converter.
- 26:51 Analyzing a complex 32 QAM signal at a carrier frequency of 45 GHz.
- 27:11 Observing intermittent phase noise impairment in the signal.
- 27:48 Importance of integrated measurements at D-band frequencies with the FE170 SR.
*Introducing the Roden Schwarz NRP Sensor*
- 28:35 Introduction of the new Roden Schwarz NRP power sensor for the 110 to 170 GHz range.
- 28:42 Fast measurement capabilities of the NRP sensor, which is unique for its frequency band.
- 29:02 The NRP sensor's operating range and its compatibility with the NRX platform.
- 29:19 Demonstrating the NRP sensor's measurement accuracy and speed.
*Potential Improvements for the FE170 SR*
- 30:31 Suggestions for firmware improvements to enhance stability and usability.
- 30:37 Ideas for further abstracting functionality and ensuring full support in the spectrum analyzer.
- 30:48 Possible future enhancements, such as adding an electronic pre-selector for the FE170 SR.
*Closing Remarks and Future Prospects*
- 30:54 Anticipation of future improvements and revisions to the FE170 SR.
- 31:01 Positive summary of the Roden Schwarz FE170's capabilities and its role in the company's RF equipment lineup.
- 31:07 Acknowledgment of recent innovations and advancements from Roden Schwarz.
- 31:13 Excitement for future developments from the company.
- 31:19 Invitation for comments and questions, with a note that the FE170 will be returned and no further experiments can be conducted.
- 31:24 Farewell and anticipation for the FE170's impact on the industry.
Disclaimer: I used gpt4-1106 to summarize the video transcript. This
method may make mistakes in recognizing words.
wake up babe new insane microwave tech video from the signal path just dropped
Cat in reflection at 16:23
Ha!
As an EE major I feel like I've just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Holy smokes. I subbed before even watching any of your videos, just the titles themselves are insane.
I really like the mix of plugs/standards on the RS box. Locking Lemo, the epaper and the choice of the USB variant :)
Great video and really impressive equipment from r&s !
That epaper display is nifty
Yeah, those Sharp memory LCDs could be almost as good for many cases, but pre-configured for field use, that e-paper is awesome
Yes used on many supermarket shelves, so why not use such an idea for config settings? Agree very neat and has some lateral thinking by RS.
You showed the Tek 90-140 GHz mixer at 2:20 and said there is a previous video on it. I'm looking for it, but maybe link to it in the description also?
It is TSP #232. :)
So basically FE170 is the VDI CCU/CCD product line on steriods with software calibration support. Hope they work on expanding the IF bandwidth further for the future revisions.
It is the CCU/CCD with front-end electronic attenuator, external calibrated filter support, LNA and broadband calibrated IF section. It also includes the built-in PLL.
Wow, what a knowledge, what an equipment 🤩 ...and you talk fast, of course, as you have so much to say. But I get a bit dizzy 😁
Are we going to be seeing that secret sauce upconverter in a future video?( Assuming it's an unreleased future product of some sort you have early preview access to but can't show us yet)
No. Its a teaser for R/S R&D guys.
Guess what for.
thankyou for the video, as allways nice equipment demo
I just got this video recommend. What the hell did I just step into? What's going on? I feel like I just went through a portal into another dimension, everyone in the comments is acting like this is all everyday stuff
Welcome! :)
Mini USB.... seriously?
The USB port is only used for service purposes. The end user never plugs anything into it.
Nice. But it is a shame the displayed frequency was not translated to the input frequency. The IF frequency is not interesting. It seems that all the necessary information was available to allow it.
This is only in the scope FFT which they can change. Everywhere else it shows the center frequency.
Thanks 👍
great stuff thanks
Amazing tech, but very disappointing you weren't able to show so much of it.
Is it possible to contact you for input into developing a Thz meter? Im currently developed an rf meter 0.4 - 80 Ghz, I want to develop a Thz meter. However, its a new field which no Thz meter exists yet.
Feel free to reach out through LinkedIn.
Shouldn't it be TSP #238?
Yes! Thanks.
You know it's expensive, when the waveguide is the size of a slightly larger semirigid coax cable.
Like 100x above my budget or so.
Why would somebody want to tx with 170ghz?
Fiber optic modulation where bandwidth can be insanely wide
The harder it is to find out what an instrument costs, the more expensive it's going to be. These have to be astronomically expensive.
Ok, how much?
how do you even afford such equipment !!
He’s definitely trolling. The machine by his top right shoulder is definitely a microwave.
As in microwave oven…. One of the few channels where this would need disambiguation
That has to be an april fool video. Where he reviews a microwave oven.
But the question remains. Why would you ever get involved with such military specs ultra high crazy high frequencies ??? It is beyond me. I don't know, nor have I heard of any local businesses using such high frequencies. Terrestrial TV goes up to 1GHz Cellular towers use a maximum of say... under 10GHz, Wi-Fi is up to 5-6GHz, and conventional radio transmissions are up to 108MHz. So what's the fuss about using this range?
He is not you average joe, he is RFIC area director at Bell Labs. That's about as best as it gets in this field.
I find the term sub-THz insulting 😂
Personally I lost interest at the moment you said "Can't take it apart due to IP protection."
Well it is a loaner unit. Not like any serious competitor can't straw purchase one and reverse engineer it though...
@@neonkev7866 Why waste your time though? The devil is in the details: any idiot can architecture a block diagram.
So you lost interest but then jumped into the comment section to express that you lost interest?
Probably a competitor for Rohde & Schwarz … looking for a proper solution
@@trevorjayman4364 Yeah, you're right. My comment was a rude overreaction. Can I blame the extreme high quality of this channel?
...but who in the heck is doing anything in D band?
6G Cellular is planning on utilizing sub THz and utilizing advanced regressive linear function implementations (better known as AI) to accurately model how the sub THz bands behave and path which was quite difficult in the past and limited their usability.
D band has already been assigned as fixed wireless so it's the current hot research area (7G, 8G, cellphone, satellite?). It seems weird to me because these are very dense waves. What possible RF propagation can you get from a portable device at these frequencies? At what point do you need to burn through barriers instead of pass through? It's getting kind of crazy like the CPU GHz wars that ran at thermonuclear temperatures. How about work on bandwidth efficiency instead of higher and higher frequencies?
I suppose there aren't too many practical systems in that band. Likely research for the most part
@@_droid, wireless backhaul from ever denser 5G mmw?
Licensed backhaul, emerging radar and scientific applications.
Ohhh an expensive instrument tear-down!Sorry nope!
It is a loaner in high demand. Not to mention sensitive IP at the moment. Hopefully in the future there will be a teardown.
@@Thesignalpath Never mind!I came here to admire the bravery of opening an expensive piece of kit 😂