General Information; Purpose; Scope; Equipment Description - Aeroflex Weinschel 8310 Operation & Service Manual

Model 8310

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

1-1 PURPOSE: This manual contains setup and operation information for the Aeroflex / Weinschel's 8310 Series of
Programmable Attenuator Units. The manual also provides component location, reference designators, part numbers,
and nomenclature to identify all the assemblies and sub-assemblies of the Attenuator Unit.
1-2 SCOPE: This manual is to be used in conjunction with the operation and maintenance of a 8310 Series
Programmable Attenuator Unit. The manual also provides a description of each assembly; assembly parts list; block
diagrams: and general maintenance procedures to maintain the instrument.
1-3 EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: Aeroflex / Weinschel's 8310 Series Programmable
Attenuator Units represents a new concept in programmable attenuation for bench test
and subsystem applications. Standard Model 8310 designs house and control various
Aeroflex / Weinschel Programmable Attenuator Models (3200T, 150T, and 4200 Series)
via front panel controls or standard communications interfaces including GPIB (IEEE-
488) and RS-232/RS-422/RS485. Special configurations also exist where the RF section
is designed to specific customer requirements which can contain to multiple
programmable attenuations used in-conjunction with other coaxial devices such as
switches, power combiners, directional couplers, and filters creating single or multi-
channel subsystems.
1-4 USING THE 8310: The 8310 Series provides front-panel and computer control for up to four channels of
attenuation, RF switching, or other functions. The 8310 combines the features of the Aeroflex / Weinschel 8210A
Device Controller with a front panel user interface to form a flexible, easy to use solution. Most 8310 Series are single
channel configurations where RF signal is routed through either the front or rear mounted Ports A & B connector
(Ports A-A if the RF is routed front to rear) to a single or multiple Aeroflex / Weinschel programmable attenuators thus
creating CH1 (Channel 1). Note that when a Port is in use the Port indicator will be illuminated. Dual channel units
typically use Ports A and B for CH1 and Ports C and D for CH2 (Ports A-A if the RF is routed front to rear for CH1 and
Ports B-B for CH2). Multi-channel (3-4) units are generally routed front to rear and configured as follows:
CH1 Port A (Front) to Port A (Rear)
CH2 Port B (Front) to Port B (Rear)
CH3 Port C (Front) to Port C (Rear)
CH4 Port D (Front) to Port D (Rear)
For specialized configurations refer to supplemental
information in the front of this manual for details.
Typically Aeroflex / Weinschel digital attenuators are bi-directional and the RF signal can be applied to either Port
connector. Channels can be selected by toggling the front panel CHAN button until the desired CH1-CH4 indicator is
illuminated. Repeated depressions of the CHAN key will select the next available channel. The main display will show
the current attenuation setting of the channel. A new attenuation setting in dB may be entered using the INCR/DECR
or ENTRY keys. The front panel STEP key allows the user to define the attenuation step size used by the INCR and
DECR keys. Remember that the attenuation step size (resolution) is limited to the physical size of the internal
attenuator cells. For example a 0-70 unit with 10 dB steps can only be adjusted in 10 dB increments but larger
increments such as 20, 30, 40 dB can be set using this key.
The REL key allows the user to set relative mode for
attenuators. When turned on, the currently displayed
attenuation value is used as a reference value from which the
attenuation may be set. In this mode, attenuation values may
be positive or negative from the reference setting. When REL
is turned off, the display returns to the actual attenuation
setting for the channel. Refer to Section 5 for more detailed
information about the front panel keys and indicators. All 8310
Series functions can also be controlled via standard
communications interfaces including GPIB (IEEE-488)
and RS-232/RS-422 /RS485. Refer to Section 6 for bus setup
and operating instructions when using the 8310 Series in the
remote mode.
Aeroflex / Weinschel
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com
Model Number Index:
IM-289A
5