Text preview for : Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders From Virginia Diodes Inc. - Technical Overview 5991-3161EN c2014 part of
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Keysight Technologies
Millimeter Wave Frequency Extenders
From Virginia Diodes Inc. for the
Keysight X-Series Signal Analyzers
Technical Overview
The Keysight Technologies, Inc. The N9029AVxx signal analyzer frequency extension modules expand the mea-
X-series signal analyzers provide surement range of microwave signal generators up into the millimeter frequency
outstanding performance across a range. They combine low conversion loss with excellent noise figure to provide
broad set of characteristics, such as the best possible sensitivity for measuring low-level signals.
dynamic range, displayed average
noise level (DANL), distortion
performance, phase noise, and
measurement speed for frequencies
up to 50 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.
Figure 1. The N9029AV03 frequency extender covers the WR3.4 band from 220 to 330 GHz.
The N9029AVxx modules can be used in two different operating modes, depend-
ing on the type of signals to be measured. In standard mode (see Figure 2),
the LO signal comes from the signal analyzer, gets multiplied to a much higher
frequency, and is mixed with the incoming millimeter signal entering the module
from the waveguide input. The resulting 322.5 MHz IF signal is then routed back
into the signal analyzer. A built-in diplexer enables both the LO and IF signals to
share the same cable, allowing a single coaxial cable to provide the connection
between the signal analyzer and the N9029AVxx frequency extender.
In this mode, the signal identification and image suppression features of the
Keysight X-series signal analyzers can be used to correctly identify the actual
RF frequency and remove spurious signals. Amplitude readings on the signal
analyzer can be corrected with the conversion loss table, which is stored on a
USB memory stick included with each N9029AVxx module so that it can be
easily downloaded into the signal analyzer's memory.
The standard mode is useful for general spectrum analysis and works best with
stable CW or narrowband signals.
N9029AVxx SA frequency extension module
IF
LO/IF signals
Milimeter
signal
xN
LO
Keysight X-Series signal analyzer Waveguide
input
Figure 2. N9029AVxx signal analyzer frequency extension module operating in standard
mode.
2
The N9029AVxx module can also be used as a wideband downconverter (see
Figure 3). In this mode, a separate signal generator is used to provide a fixed
LO signal, and a block of RF signals (both the upper and lower sidebands) are
downconverted to IF and fed into the signal analyzer RF input. This configuration
provides an IF bandwidth of up to 20 GHz.
Block downconversion, in which spectral information is preserved, is very useful
for signals that drift or for wideband communication signals. Like the standard
mode, conversion loss can be applied to determine RF power. Spurious mixing
products can be identified by varying the signal generator frequency slightly to
determine the mixing order.
N9029AVxx SA frequency extension module
Down-
converter
output IF
Keysight X-Series signal analyzer Milimeter
signal
xN
Waveguide
input
LO
Keysight PSG signal generator
Figure 3. N9029AVxx signal analyzer frequency extension module operating in
downconverter mode.
Power supply requirements
Each N9029AVxx frequency extension module requires an N5262VDI-175
external power supply.
Figure 4. The power supply is connected to the frequency extension module with the
included DC power cable.
3
WR1.0 Conversion Loss (SSB)
40
35
30
25
20
dB
15
10
5
0
750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050 1100
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 5. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV01
(750 GHz to 1.1 THz) frequency extension module.
WR1.5 Conversion Loss (SSB)
30
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
500 525 550 575 600 625 650 675 700 725 750
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 6. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV1B (500 to 750 GHz)
frequency extension module.
4
WR2.2 Conversion Loss (SSB)
30
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
325 350 375 400 425 450 475 500
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 7. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV02 (325 to 500 GHz)
frequency extension module.
WR3.4 Conversion Loss (SSB)
30
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 8. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV03 (220 to 330 GHz)
frequency extension module.
5
WR5.1 Conversion Loss (SSB)
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 9. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV05 (140 to 220 GHz)
frequency extension module.
WR6.5 Conversion Loss (SSB)
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
110 120 130 140 150 160 170
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 10. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV06 (110 to 170 GHz)
frequency extension module.
WR8.0 Conversion Loss (SSB)
25
20
15
dB
10
5
0
90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 11. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV08 (90 to 140 GHz)
frequency extension module.
6
WR10 Conversion Loss (SSB)
20
15
10
dB
5
0
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 12. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV10 (75 to 110 GHz)
frequency extension module.
WR12 Conversion Loss (SSB)
20
15
10
dB
5
0
60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 13. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV12 (60 to 90 GHz)
frequency extension.
WR15 Conversion Loss (SSB)
20
15
10
dB
5
0
50 55 60 65 70 75
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 14. Measured intrinsic mixer conversion loss for the N9029AV15 (50-75 GHz)
frequency extension module.
7
Table 1. Characteristics
Waveguide Frequency LO input Multiplication LO input Intrinsic mixer RF power limits: Displayed
band range (GHz) mode factors frequencies conversion compression/ average noise
(GHz) loss (dB) damage (dBm) level (dBc/Hz)
(Not including
IF amplifier)
Standard 108 6.9