Boonton LO Substitution App Brief
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Design, Verification, and Troubleshooting of radar and communication systems often involves examining their up and downconverters. For example, if the overall system is exhibiting bit errors, or radar target returns are being masked by noise, what is the root cause? Loop back bit error rate (BER) testing may highlight the problem, but is the issue in the transmit or the receive chain and, when that has been determined, which part of the chain is the root cause?
Local oscillator (LO) substitution is an important technique when testing up and downconverters in communication systems. It enables design engineers and technicians to evaluate signal chains without their performance being masked by the characteristics of the designed-in LO or to determine if the LO is the source of issues when the system is not performing properly.
RF or microwave signal generators are the tool of choice for LO substitution applications.
| Today’s Test Challenges |
| Need for Better Signal Generation Tools |
- Low phase noise needed for less chance of masking a doppler shifted target return.
- Low phase noise spreads less energy into adjacent channels and minimizes m-QAM symbol errors.
- Fast list mode switching time meets a wider range of fast frequency hopping applications.
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| Greater Assurance of Test Results |
- Low phase noise and jitter enable measurements that can lead to better product specifications or higher yield.
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| Lower Cost of Test |
- More capable instrumentation to adapt to changing measurement requirements without additional investment.
- More cost-effective instrumentation enables cost savings or the ability to equip engineering team more fully.
- Smaller and lighter equipment reduces rack/bench space and structural support.
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