Virginia Diodes, Inc - Synthesizer

Synthesizers and Frequency Counter

OVERVIEW

Description

VDI's synthesizers were designed specifically for VDI sources and receivers with features targeted for Terahertz applications. VDI frequency counters were designed specifically to measure the fundamental frequencies driving VDI frequency extenders.

8-20 GHz VDI Synthesizer

Features:

8-20 GHz Synthesizer
Fast Switching Speed
Frequency Sweeping Capability
Excellent Phase Noise Characteristics
Software based USB Control
Click on Synthesizer tab for specifications

Synthesizerpix2

Economy Synthesizer

Features:

>2 GHz Bandwidth Synthesizer up to 16 GHz
3 ms Switching Speed
12 Hz Step Size
Good Phase Noise Characteristics
Software based USB Control
Click on Economy Synthesizer tab for specifications

Synthesizer economypix

Frequency Counter

Features:

0.5-20 GHz Frequency Counter
Compact
Variable Measurement Speed
Software control through USB port
No wall plug or external power supply needed
Click on Frequency Counter tab for specifications

8-20 GHz VDI SYNTHESIZER

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8-20 GHz VDI Frequency Synthesizer Data Sheet
Bandwidth:	8-20 GHz, SMA
Output power:	16 dBm minimum
Resolution:	<20 Hz
Harmonics:	-12 dBc
Non-harmonic spurs:	<-50 dBc in CW mode
Settling time:	100 kHz step settles to <20 Hz within 50 us
Sweep rate:	>25 MHz deviation at 14 ms/1 GHz, <25 MHz at 3us/1 MHz. Faster rates are possible with frequency error. 16-bit control of step time, 4 ns minimum. +/-25 MHz peak deviation at 3 kHz rate. Smaller deviations are proportionally faster up to ~100 kHz maximum rate. Faster rates are possible with frequency error.
Phase step size:	< 0.5 degrees
CW Switching time:	< 800 uS communication time (incremental) + settling time + sweep time (USB commands can be repeated every 1 ms.)
Frequency stability:	limited by reference oscillator
Frequency repeatability:	limited by reference oscillator
Absolute frequency accuracy:	<10 Hz + reference oscillator error
Reference input:	10 MHz, 10 dBm, SMA, option for 100 MHz
Sweep trigger output:	0-3.3 V digital signal, BNC (transitions high at the beginning of the sweep up and low at the beginning of the sweep down.)
Interface:	USB control by ASCII text commands to FTDI chip. Open source code provided for Labview 7.0
Size:	L x W x H: ~6.125 x 4.375 x 1.5” excluding connectors, reference oscillator, fan, and external DC power supply
DC Power:	+15 V ~3 A, -15 V ~80 mA, Separate DC power supply included with AC wall plug, consumes ~50 W
Options (Contact VDI for more information)	1. Tracking Synthesizer (internal or external offset options available) 2. Phase continuous swept FM capability (see page 3 of the Synthesizer Product Datasheet for more information)

phasenoise updated 04 2016

ECONOMY SYNTHESIZER

VDI Economy Frequency Synthesizer Data Sheet
Bandwidth:	>2 GHz up to 16 GHz
Output power:	Optimally configured for the VDI multiplier chain
Resolution:	12 Hz
Harmonics:	<-15 dBc
Non-harmonic spurs:	<-45 dBc
CW Switching time:	3 ms
Frequency stability:	limited by reference oscillator
Frequency repeatability:	limited by reference oscillator
Absolute frequency accuracy:	<3 Hz + reference oscillator error
Reference input:	10 MHz, 10 dBm, SMA
Typical phase noise	See graph below
Interface:	USB control by ASCII text commands to FTDI chip. Open source code provided for Labview 7.0
Size:	L x W x H: ~3.5 x 2.875 x 1.25” excluding connectors
DC Power:	+15 V ~3 A, -5 V ~30 mA

phase graph

FREQUENCY COUNTER

freqctr

VDI frequency counters were designed specifically to measure the fundamental frequencies driving VDI frequency extenders. The design is streamlined to avoid the extra size and cost of unnecessary features. The frequency ranges from 0.5 - 20 GHz for an input power of 0 - 10 dBm. The display resolution is 7 digits, but 32 bits of resolution can be read through a USB cable connected to a PC. The measurement time can be set to make fast measurements with moderate relative accuracy, such as 4 kHz within 100 ms. The unit is small (3.75 x 2.5 x 1.6”) and is powered through a USB cable connected to a computer without the need for a power supply or wall plug. Software drivers are provided that can be used with most programming languages and open source code for the user interface is also provided in Labview 7.0.

VDI Frequency Counter Data Sheet
Bandwidth:	0.5-20 GHz, SMA
Input power:	0-10 dBm
Resolution:	7 digits display, 32 bits through USB
Absolute accuracy:	<30 kHz
Relative accuracy:	384/(measurement time (s)) (Hz) + internal clock drift Ex. 100 ms gives 3.96 kHz measurement
Measurement time:	Selectable from 0.4 ms to 26 s, read through USB every 1 ms
Display Calibration Factor:	7 significant digits
Input impedance	50 ohm
Interface:	USB control with software for Windows XP. Labview runtime engine 7.0 will be installed. Dynamic link libraries supplied for use with programming languages. Open source code provided for Labview 7.0.
Size:	L x W x H, 3.75 x 2.5 x 1.6"
Current consumption:	200 mA