Text preview for : 5991-3162EN Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. - Technical Overview c2014 part of Agilent 5991-3162EN Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. - Technical Overview c2014 Agilent 5991-3162EN Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. - Technical Overview c20140811 [10].pdf
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Keysight Technologies
Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders
From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the
Keysight PSG Signal Generators
Technical Overview
The Keysight Technologies, Inc. PSG-series signal generators
provide outstanding performance across a broad set of
characteristics, including output power, phase noise, spurious
and harmonic distortion, as well as flexible modulation for
frequencies up to 67 GHz. When paired with a new line of
frequency extenders from Virginia Diodes Inc. (VDI), many of
these capabilities are available up to 1.1 THz to meet the
requirements of both established and emerging millimeter
wave applications.
02 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
The E8257DVxx signal generator frequency extension modules expand the operating
range of microwave signal generators up into the millimeter frequency range. They
combine high output power and low phase noise with broad frequency coverage over
full waveguide bands. Standard features include TTL-controlled on/off modulation up
to approximately 1 kHz and voltage-controlled RF attenuation (UCA). The RF signal
from the signal generator gets multiplied in the module to a much higher frequency
and the resulting millimeter signal exits through the rectangular waveguide output.
A single coaxial cable provides the connection between the signal generator and
the E8257DVxx module.
Figure 1. This E8257DV03 frequency extender covers the WR3.4 band from 220 to 330 GHz.
The E8257DVxx modules provide two different RF inputs, depending on the
frequency range of the signal generator. The standard RF input is designed for 20
GHz signal generators (see Figure 2), while the high-frequency RF input is optimized
for a 40 or 50 GHz signal generator, depending on the waveguide band. The high
frequency input bypasses the first multiplication block (i.e. a doubler or tripler)
resulting in a cleaner output spectrum.
A B
Figure 2. The standard frequency [A] and high frequency [B] RF input modes are shown
above. The coaxial jumper connection must be used when using standard frequency
operation. With the jumper removed, only the high frequency RF input port is operational.
03 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
The effects of multiplication on modulated signals
Multiplication works very well for both CW and pulsed signals. Note, however, that
the pulse rise and fall times may be altered somewhat compared to the original
microwave pulse. The millimeter pulse may sometimes have sharper rise/fall times
than the original non-multiplied pulse, particularly if the original pulse had relatively
slow rise/fall times.
Millimeter source modules typically provide a fixed amount of output power, since
the amplifiers operate in saturated mode. FM and phase modulation are impacted
by the frequency extension modules in that the frequency or phase deviation will
be multiplied along with the carrier frequency. Using a WR10 band (75 to 110 GHz)
module with X6 multiplication in standard mode as an example, an FM modulated
microwave signal with 10 MHz max deviation will be multiplied up to 60 MHz
deviation at the waveguide output.
Because millimeter frequency extension modules are inherently non-linear devices,
they are not suitable for AM modulation or any type of digital modulation that
involves amplitude changes, such as QAM, because of the severe clipping that
affects signal amplitude.
Through careful design, the unwanted harmonics of the input are typically
suppressed by 20 dB or more compared to the desired output.
Power supply requirements
Each E8257DVxx frequency extension module requires an N5262VDI-175
external power supply.
Figure 3. The power supply is connected to the frequency extension module with the
included DC power cable.
04 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
WR1.0 Output Power
0
-10
-20
Output (dBm)
-30
-40
-50
-60
750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050 1100
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 4. Measured output power for the E8257DV01 (750 GHz to 1.1 THz) frequency
extension module.
WR1.5 Output Power
0
-5
-10
Output (dBm)
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
500 525 550 575 600 625 650 675 700 725 750
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 5. Measured output power for the E8257DV1B (500 to 750 GHz) frequency
extension module.
05 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
WR2.2 Output Power
10
5
-0
Output (dBm)
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
325 345 365 575 385 405 425 445 465 485
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 6. Measured output power for the E8257DV02 (325 to 500 GHz) frequency
extension module.
WR3.4 Output Power
15
10
5
Output (dBm)
0
-5
-10
-15
220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 7. Measured output power for the E8257DV03 (220 to 330 GHz) frequency
extension module.
06 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
WR5.1 Output Power
20
15
10
Output (dBm)
5
0
-5
-10
140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 8. Measured output power for the E8257DV05 (140 to 220 GHz) frequency
extension module.
WR6.5 Output Power
20
15
Output (dBm)
10
5
0
-5
-10
110 120 130 140 150 160 170
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 9. Measured output power for the E8257DV06 (110 to 170 GHz) frequency
extension module.
WR8.0 Output Power
20
15
10
Output (dBm)
5
0
-5
-10
90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 10. Measured output power for the E8257DV08 (90 to 140 GHz) frequency
extension module.
07 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
WR10 Output Power
20
15
Output (dBm)
10
5
0
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 11. Measured output power for the E8257DV10 (75 to 110 GHz) frequency
extension module.
WR12 Output Power
30
25
20
Output (dBm)
15
10
5
0
60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 12. Measured output power for the E8257DV12 (60 to 90 GHz) frequency
extension module.
WR15 Output Power
30
25
20
Output (dBm)
15
10
5
0
50 55 60 65 70 75
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 13. Measured output power for the E8257DV15 (50 to 75 GHz) frequency
extension module.
08 | Keysight | Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the Keysight PSG Signal Generators - Technical Overview
Table 1. Characteristics
Waveguide Frequency RF input Multiplication RF input frequen- Output power (dBm)
band range (GHz) mode factors cies (GHz)
Typical Minimum
Standard 81 9.3