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project: tracking generator synchronisation device
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kirill_ka:
The basic idea is to use the RFExplorer signal generator as a tracking generator for HP8561E.
Although my current implementation is built around the devices I possess, the idea can be extended for other spectrum analysers and/or signal generators. I plan to gradually release the implementation details for the case someone would find it interesting or even want to reuse my approach.
Block diagram
--- Code: ---+-----------------+ +-----------------+ +----------------+
|RFE Generator | | Synchronisation | | HP 8561E |
| | | Thing | | |
| | | | +------------+ |
| | | | |85620 module| |
| | | SPI Slave|-------|GPIO/SBIT | |
| | | | +------------+ |
| | | GATE |-------|GATE (not used) |
| USB |--------| USB Host SWP |-------|AUX Sweep out |
| | ----| 5V power FAV |-------|Sweep out/FAV |
| | / +-----------------+ | |
| | | | |
| RF OUT|-------- [DUT] -------------------|INPUT |
+-----------------+ | +----------------+
|
Optional
5V power
supply
--- End code ---
kirill_ka:
Tracking generator control/alignment UI
All the configuration is done through the custom menu on the HP8561E.
This adds some convenience by not requiring a PC. Also there's some fun in programming 8561E in it's archaic language.
The main "user keys" menu.
Sweep alignment menu. Also shows the generator swept across 6GHz.
Native tracking generator menu & normalised trace.
kirill_ka:
Hardware
The hardware is built round the ATMega 348P microcontroller and the MAX3421E USB host controller. For now I'm using a couple of slightly modified of-the-shelf boards. The MAX3421E board is an Arduino shield, but I'm not using it as a shield. That's because the SPI slave interface (which is normally connected to the MAX3421E) is needed to communicate with the 85620 module. An easier way could be to use some Linux-based board, but I suspect I wouldn't be able to get precise timing from Linux. Also I want to be able to power it from the 85620 which only provides 150mA @5V.
The whole thing is fitted into the shell of a dead LiPo charger.
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