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SIGNALCORE SC5407A Hardware Manual

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Hardware Manual
SC5407A & SC5408A
6 GHz RF Upconverter
www.signalcore.com
© 2021 SignalCore, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Summary of Contents for SIGNALCORE SC5407A

  • Page 1 Hardware Manual SC5407A & SC5408A 6 GHz RF Upconverter www.signalcore.com © 2021 SignalCore, Inc. All Rights Reserved...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Copyright & Trademarks ........................ 4 International Materials Declarations ..................... 5 CE European Union EMC & Safety Compliance Declaration ............5 Warnings Regarding Use of SignalCore Products ................6 Physical Description ..........................7 Unpacking ............................7 Setting Up the Device ........................7 Front Interface Indicators and Connectors ..................
  • Page 3 Device Parameters Data and Format ................... 36 Device Information Parameters and Format ............... 37 Communication Interfaces ........................1 Communication Data Format ......................1 USB Interface ..........................1 Control Transfer ........................1 Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.
  • Page 4 General Information Bulk Transfer ......................... 1 SPI Interface ..........................2 Writing the SPI Bus ........................ 3 Reading the SPI Bus ....................... 3 RS232 Interface ..........................4 Writing to the Device Via RS232 .................... 4 Reading from the Device Via RS232 ..................5 PXI Express ............................

  • Page 5: General Information

    SignalCore reserves the right to make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to possessors of this edition. Please contact SignalCore if errors are suspected. In no event shall SignalCore be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.

  • Page 6: International Materials Declarations

    General Information products. Use of SignalCore products is restricted to applications that do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. “SignalCore”, “signalcore.com”, and the phrase “preserving signal integrity” are registered trademarks of SignalCore, Incorporated. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

  • Page 7: Warnings Regarding Use Of Signalcore Products

    BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM SIGNALCORE'S TESTING PLATFORMS, AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE SIGNALCORE PRODUCTS IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY SIGNALCORE, THE USER OR...

  • Page 8: Physical Description

    As each device’s integrated system configuration is unique, detailed cooling options cannot be provided. A cooling plan is sufficient when the SC5407A and SC5408A on-board temperature sensors indicate a rise of no more than 20°C above ambient temperature under normal operating conditions.

  • Page 9: Front Interface Indicators And Connectors

    SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual Front Interface Indicators and Connectors The SC5407A is a PXIe-based RF upconverter with all user I/O located on the front face of the module. Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 10: Signal Connections

    Physical Description The SC5408A is a serial controlled core module with all user connections on the front face of the module. Signal Connections All signal connections (ports) on the device are female SMA-type. Exercise caution when fastening cables to the signal connections. Over-tightening any connection can cause permanent damage to the device.

  • Page 11: Device Led Indicators

    51110-3051 or ribbon type 87568-3093 from Molex. The pin definitions are listed in Table 3. Pinouts are different for different SignalCore products with the same connector type. Please ensure that mating connectors and cables are wired correctly before connection.

  • Page 12: Mini-Usb Connection

    Physical Description PIN # Description 2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24,28 GND 9,11,13,14,15 Reserved, Do Not Connect 17,18 Reserved, pull high to 3.3V or DNC , System reset, logic 0 to reset device Reset 21 Device Active, accessed 22 PLL status 23 RS232 Baud Rate / SPI Mode Select 25 CS Device select for SPI 26 SPI Clock 27 TX/MOSI.

  • Page 13: Reset Button (Pin Hole)

    All user settings will be lost. System reset capability can also be accessed through the communication header connector. Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 14: Functional Description

    Functional Description 3 Functional Description Overview The SC5408A uses USB as its primary interface with an optional SPI or RS232 interface. The SC5407A is a PXIe version of the product. The upconverter assembly consists of three module parts: • The Signal Conversion Module contains the mixers, filters, signal amplifiers, and attenuators. This module is referred to as the “signal chain”.

  • Page 15: The Signal Chain

    IF3 Freq = ~LF-500 MHz ENABLE IF2 CF=1.25 GHz CF=1.25 GHz 1.5 GHz BW=80 MHZ 1.75 GHz – 0.75 MHz – Figure 4. Block diagram of the signal conversion module of the upconverter assembly Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 16: The If3 Input Path And If3 Mixer

    Functional Description The IF3 Input Path and IF3 Mixer The third IF (IF3) is tunable from ±5 MHz to ±500 MHz, as LO3 is tuned from 750 MHz to 1750 MHz in 5 MHz steps. The frequency value of LO3 is based on the following relationship: ����3 = ����2 ∓...

  • Page 17: External If2 Input

    2 1400 to < 1950 MHz 3 1950 to < 2500 MHz 4 2500 to < 3000 MHz 5 3000 to < 3600 MHz 6 ≥ 3600 MHz 7 Through path (manually selectable) Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 18: The Rf Output Path Switch

    Functional Description The RF Output Path Switch The RF output can come from 2 selected paths: 1. The default is the conversion path where the RF signal is converted from the IF port. 2. The alternative path is directly from the IF port, bypassing all means of frequency conversion. For lower RF frequencies that can be generated directly from a baseband source such as an arbitrary waveform generator, this path provides the convenience to do so.

  • Page 19: The Lo Module

    Having the VCXO lock directly to the external source has the advantage of utilizing the close-in phase noise of the source; we assume that the external source is superior to Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual...

  • Page 20: The First Local Oscillator (Lo1)

    Functional Description the internal base. Although the internal VCTCXO is not used it is important to have it remain powered on to maintain its temperature stability. Like the VCXO, it is also phase locked to the external source. The reference output is derived from the buffered VCXO. When its output is enabled, its frequency can be selected for 10 MHz or 100 MHz.

  • Page 21: The Interface Module

    The Interface Module Figure 7 shows the power and control interface block for both the SC5407A and SC5408A. All supply rails are produced on board; their voltages are regulated and actively filtered to keep noise to a minimum. Thus, these upconverters are tolerant to “dirty” external power supplies.

  • Page 22: Hardware Registers

    Hardware Registers 4 Hardware Registers The set of hardware registers of the upconverter may be divided into a configuration set and a query set; the configuration registers are write-only registers to set up the states of the device, while the query registers request the device to prepare and send back data associated with them.

  • Page 23: Register 0X01 Initialize

    1 = Resets the default to the default or startup state [7:1] Unused Set to zeros [7:0] Read back byte Read 1 byte back is required for PXIe and RS232 Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 24: Register 0X02 System_Active

    Hardware Registers Register 0x02 SYSTEM_ACTIVE This register turns on or off the active LED indicator on the front connector interface of the device. This register should be called when the device is opened or closed in software. Bytes written 2 Bytes read 1 Bits Type...

  • Page 25: Register 0X11 If_Frequency

    Bits Type Name Width Description [2:0] rfFilterSelect Select the RF filter (0-7) [7:3] Unused Set to zeros [7:0] Read back byte Read 1 byte back is required for PXIe and RS232 Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 26: Register 0X15 Attenuator

    Hardware Registers Register 0x15 ATTENUATOR This register sets the value of the device attenuators. Bytes written 4 Bytes read 1 Bits Type Name Width Description [7:0] Attenuator value In 0.25 dB LSB, i.e. LSB = 0.25 dB The attenuator number: 0 = RF Atten #1 1 = RF Atten #2 The target...

  • Page 27: Register 0X17 Config_Auto_Gain

    0 = Attenuator states are not manipulated when RF values are changed autoGainEnable 1 = Computes and applies new sets of attenuator values to the device as frequency is changed Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 28: Register 0X18 Store_Default_State

    Hardware Registers Bits Type Name Width Description 0 = Not to load new input parameter such as RF level, etc. Will not load any information from bits loadParams [31:2] 1 = Will load bits [31:2] autoCntrlRfAmp Set to zeros 0 = Optimized linearity and noise [4:3] linearMode 1 = Better SNR...

  • Page 29: Register 0X19 Device_Standby

    Bytes written 2 Bytes read 1 Bits Type Name Width Description 0 = Uses internal 10 MHz TCXO LockEnable 1 = Enables frequency locking to external 10 MHz reference source Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 30: Register 0X1B Reference_Dac

    Width Description RefOutEnable Reference out port enabled 0 = 10 MHz output Clk10Enable 1 = 100 MHz output Only on SC5407A to enable export of the 10 MHz PXI10Enable backplane clock [7:4] Unused Set to zeros [7:0] Read back byte...

  • Page 31: Register 0X1D Synth_Self_Cal

    This register sets up the frequency plan parameters and stores them as the default values. Bytes written 8 Bytes read 1 Bits Type Name Width Description [47:0] Data Data for the parameter Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 32: Query Registers

    Hardware Registers Bits Type Name Width Description 0 = RF frequency 1 = IF1 frequency [50:48] Parameter 2 = IF2 frequency 3 = IF3 frequency [55:51] Unused Set to zeros [7:0] Read back byte Read 1 byte back is required for PXIe and RS232 Query Registers These are request for data registers, in that a request for certain data is made by writing to the specific register first, followed by reading back the requested data.
  • Page 33 These 32 bits of data need to be type casted back to float. i.e. var_float = *(float*)&var_u32 where [31:0] Temperature Data var_u32 is some unsigned integer that holds the 32 bits of read data [63:32] Invalid data Ignore Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 34: Register 0X32 Get_Device_Status

    Hardware Registers Register 0x32 GET_DEVICE_STATUS Write to this register to query the current operating conditions. Bytes written 2 Bytes read 8 Bits Type Name Width Description [7:0] Unused Set to zeros Pll status: LO1 sum The summing PLL of LO1 Pll status: LO1 crs The coarse tuning PLL of LO1 Pll status: LO1 fine...

  • Page 35: Register 0X33 Get_Device_Info

    Auto set the RF filter as frequency is changed [63:38] Invalid data Ignore Register 0x33 GET_DEVICE_INFO Write to this register to query the device information such as serial number. Bytes written 2 Bytes read 8 Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.
  • Page 36 Hardware Registers Bits Type Name Width Description 0: Product serial number and Interface type 1: Hardware revision 2: Firmware revision [3:0] DeviceInfo 3: Device Interface 4: Manufacture date 5: Last calibration date [7:4] Unused Ignore [63:0] Data Information data (see Device Info data) Register 0x35 CAL_EEPROM_READ Write to this register to query 8 bytes of data from the calibration EEPROM at the starting address.

  • Page 37: Device Parameters Data And Format

    Divide the data by 1000 to obtain the result in Hertz. Attenuator values Each attenuator value is returned as one byte, and the LSB is in 0.25 dB. Divide each byte by 4 to obtain the result in dB. Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 38: Device Information Parameters And Format

    Hardware Registers Signal Chain Configuration The signal chain configuration data is in the first 2 bytes, and their data is represented in the following table. Table 8. Signal chain configuration data representation Bit Description [0] Bypass Conversion [1] IF2 external port select [2] Bypass IF3 conversion [3] NA [4] IF2 filter selection 0 = 160 MHz, 1 = 80 MHz...
  • Page 39 The first 4 bytes represent the manufactured date and the last 4 bytes represent the last calibration date. The date format is outlined in the following table. Type Description Month [4:3] Year (i.e. 2016) Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.
  • Page 41 Section 2 Communication Interfaces and Calibration © 2021 SignalCore, Inc. All Rights Reserved...

  • Page 42: Communication Interfaces

    Communication Interfaces 5 Communication Interfaces The SC5407A has a PXI express interface, while the SC5408A has 2 communication interfaces: 1. USB and SPI 2. USB and RS232 This section will examine the communication aspects of the product, focusing on data transfer to and from the device on each interface.

  • Page 43: Spi Interface

    The (���� minimum period of 1 ���� (�� , see Figure 9) before data is clocked in, and must remain low for the �� Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 44: Writing The Spi Bus

    Communication Interfaces = 0.2 ����), however, if the external entire register write. The clock rate may be as high as 5.0 MHz (�� �� SPI signals do not have sufficient integrity due to trace issues, the rate should be lowered. Byte N (MSB) DATA 8 Bit Command/ Reg.

  • Page 45: Rs232 Interface

    Failure to complete the register transmission will cause the device to behave erratically or hang. Information Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 46: Reading From The Device Via Rs232

    A simple driver using IO controls should be sufficient to read and write byte data to this block of addresses. Although SignalCore provides the driver and API for these products, information is provided here for users who may need to write drivers for a different operating system or a different driver.

  • Page 47: Writing To The Device

    Registers for information of the exact number of request write bytes and the number of request read bytes, which is 8. All 8 bytes must be read to fully clear the transfer buffer; the first byte read is the most significant byte. Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 48: Calibration

    Calibration 6 Calibration Calibration EEPROM Map Table 11 represents the EEPROM map of the device calibration values. All values are stored as little- endian 4-byte floating point numbers. Every point is 4-bytes long. Access to the data is possible through the CAL_EEPROM_READ register, which reads 8 bytes starting at the address pointed to by the register input.

  • Page 49: Absolute Conversion Gain

    • All attenuators are set to 0 dB • IF2 Filter setting is 0, or 160 MHz filter selected • IF3_Filter1 setting is 0, 500 MHz LPF selected Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 50: Gain Through The Bypass Rf Conversion Path

    Calibration • IF3_Filter2 setting is 0, 1500 MHz LPF is selected • IF3 bypass conversion is 0, RF is converted to by mixer 3 • IF frequency is set at 150 MHz • RF is tuned from 100 MHz to 6200 MHz in 100 MHz steps The gain of the device in this state is measured at different frequencies in the range of 100 MHz to 6.2 GHz.
  • Page 51 Adding this correction to the previously calculated gain will compensate the value for temperature deviation. �� = �� + ���� − ���� − ����3 + ∆�� ������ ������������ ����������1 ����������1 �������� Rev 2.2 | SC5407A & SC5408A Hardware Manual SignalCore, Inc.

  • Page 52: Revision Table

    Revision Table Revision Table Revision Revision Date Description 4/2/17 Initial Release 6/3/19 Address Removed 8/5/20 Updated Formatting 7/21/21 Removed note about Pin 16 from Table 9 12/7/22 Corrected torque range ©2021 Rev 2.2...

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