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Tucker-Davis Technologies TDT PA5 Hardware Reference Manual

Programmable attenuator
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PA5 Programmable Attenuator
Hardware Reference
Updated 2021-04-19

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Summary of Contents for Tucker-Davis Technologies TDT PA5

  • Page 1 PA5 Programmable Attenuator Hardware Reference Updated 2021-04-19...
  • Page 2 PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 2 © 2016-2021 Tucker-Davis Technologies, Inc. (TDT). All rights reserved. Tucker-Davis Technologies 11930 Research Circle Alachua, FL 32615 USA Phone: +1.386.462.9622 Fax: +1.386.462.5365 Notices The information contained in this document is provided "as is," and is subject to being changed, without notice.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents | 3 Table of Contents PA5 Programmable Attenuator Overview Power and Interface Features Display (ESC) Button SELECT (ENTER) Knob INPUT BNC OUTPUT BNC PA5 Manual Operation Operation in Atten Mode Operation in UserAtt Mode About UserAtten Mode Parameters PA5 Manual Operation Menus PA5 Top Level Menu Setting Base Attenuation...

  • Page 4: Pa5 Programmable Attenuator

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 4 PA5 Programmable Attenuator Overview The PA5 Programmable Attenuator is a precision device for controlling signal levels over a wide dynamic range, providing 0 to 120 dB of attenuation for signals up to 100 kHz in frequency.

  • Page 5: Power And Interface

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 5 Power and Interface The PA5 Programmable Attenuator is powered via the System 3 zBus (ZB1PS). and requires an interface to the PC (Gigabit, Optibit, or USB). Ensure that the ZB1PS chassis housing the PA5 is connected in the interface loop according to the installation instructions for the interface in use.

  • Page 6: Input Bnc

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 6 INPUT BNC Source signal input. The maximum input voltage is ± 10 V peak. OUTPUT BNC Attenuated signal output. PA5 Manual Operation Important The PA5 is powered via the zBus and must be connected to the PC via an interface module during manual operation.

  • Page 7: Operation In Atten Mode

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 7 Operation in Atten Mode In Atten mode, the user sets the desired level of attenuation with the Select knob. When the unit is powered on, it defaults to the Atten mode with 0.0 dB of attenuation. To use Atten mode: Turn the Select knob until Atten appears on the display, then press and release the Select knob.

  • Page 8: About Useratten Mode Parameters

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 8 To access the UserOps menu: Turn the Select knob until UserOps appears on the display. Press and release the Select knob. Set the UserOps parameters as desired. To set parameters such as step size ( StpSize ), update mode ( Update ), minimum attenuation ( AbsMin ), base attenuation ( BaseAtt ), and reference value ( Refrnce );...

  • Page 9: Pa5 Manual Operation Menus

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 9 Update - Update Determines whether attenuation changes dynamically as the selector knob is turned or only after pressing enter to select the current value. AbsMin - Minimum Attenuation Sets the minimum level of attenuation the user can apply to the signal (to avoid accidentally presenting excessively loud signals).

  • Page 10: Pa5 Top Level Menu

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 10 PA5 Top Level Menu Atten Sets attenuation from 0.0 to 120.0 dB in 0.1 dB increments. The default setting is 0.0 dB. When Atten is in use, the letter "A" appears on the left side of the display, while the attenuation level appears on the right side of the display.
  • Page 11 PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 11 Update Determines when attenuation is applied to the signal. When set to Dynamic, attenuation is applied as the Select knob is turned. When set to Manual, attenuation is applied after the Select knob is pressed and released. The default setting is Dynamic. Note that when Update is set to Manual, the attenuation level on the display changes as the Select knob is turned, but the attenuation is not applied to the signal until the Select knob is pressed and released.

  • Page 12: Setting Base Attenuation

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 12 Reset Resets all menu items, including presets, to their default conditions. Confirm The user must confirm the reset by pressing and releasing the Select knob. While the module is resetting, Reseting appears on the display. To exit without resetting, turn the Select knob until Cancel appears on the display and then press and release the Select knob, or press the Esc button.

  • Page 13: Setting A Reference Value

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 13 To exit the UserOps menu, press and release the ESC button again. Setting a Reference Value The Reference parameter is used to display the intensity of the output signal. This parameter can be used only when the strength of the input signal is known. This serves to "flip" the scale, displaying larger numbers for smaller attenuation values.

  • Page 14: Saving Preset Configurations

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 14 Saving Preset Configurations Warning This procedure overwrites the contents of the selected preset location. Be certain that the existing configuration is not needed before continuing. Before a configuration can be saved, it must be set up via the UserOps menu. Once the configuration is set up as desired, save the configuration by performing the following: At any top-level menu, turn the Select knob until SavePS appears on the display.

  • Page 15: Pa5 Display Icons

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 15 PA5 Display Icons Menu Level Icons Display Description Single Box: indicates a top-level menu. Double Box: indicates a second-level menu. Attenuation Mode Icons Display Description A: Normal Attenuation Mode U: User Attenuation Mode U+: User Attenuation Mode. Base attenuation value set. R: User Attenuation Mode.

  • Page 16: Pa5 Technical Specifications

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 16 PA5 Technical Specifications Input Signal Range ±10 V peak Frequency Range DC - 200 kHz Attenuation Range 0.0 to 120.0 dB Attenuation Resolution 0.1 dB Attenuation Accuracy 0.05 dB Spectral Variation < 0.04 dB (20Hz to 80 kHz) Offset <...

  • Page 17: Pa5 Frequency Response With 50 Db Attenuation

    PA5 Programmable Attenuator | 17 PA5 Frequency Response with 50 dB Attenuation PA5 Total Harmonic Distortion...

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