Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2007 Module G2—Digitizing and Analyzing Ultra-Wideband Signals Digitizing and Analyzing Ultra-Wideband Signals Author:

Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2007

Module G2—Digitizing and AnalyzingUltra-Wideband Signals

Digitizing and Analyzing

Ultra-Wideband Signals Author: Mark Lombardi, Agilent Technologies



2

Agenda

• Introduction• RF Block Diagrams and Measurement Points• Compare and Contrast Narrowband vs. Wideband• Oscilloscope Digitizer Performance

(time/frequency/modulation domains) • Software Tools (time/frequency/modulation domains)• Agilent Products and Q&A

Digitizing and Analyzing Ultra-Wideband Signals



3

Spread spectrum communication systems

Satellite systems

Radar systems

Ultra-wideband (UWB)

Working with Greater Than 100 MHz BWs?



4

Target ApplicationsRF R&D, Signals > 100 MHz in BW

• Aerospace/Defense• Sat Com, Radar, Secure Communications,

UWB

• Emerging Wireless Communications • WiMedia UWB

R&D, Digital Design on Communication Systems



5

Agenda






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Transmit Path

T/R Switchor Duplexer

DriverPower Amp

Pwr/Burst Cntrl

D/A

90

0 PhaseSplitter

QuadratureModulator

90

0 PhaseSplitter

QuadratureDemodulator

Upconverter

A/D Channel Equalizer & Decoder

Channel Encoder & Spectral Shaping

DSPSpeech Encode

Speech Decode

RSSI

Receive Path

LNA Downconverter

AGC

PLL

N x Synthesizers

Memory

Tx VGA

Rx VGA

AGC

Controller

ApplicationsUser Interface

ProtocolHW Control

PCI / USB100 base T

Basic Digital Radio (SDR) Architecture

A/D

D/A

D/A

D/A

D/A

A/D

BasebandRF IF DigitalADC/DAC



7

89600 Configurations

Infiniium Series Oscilloscopes(Today’s Focus)

Agilent Design Simulation Software

Spectrum Analyzers

Logic Analyzer

Vector ComplexSignal Generator



8

Greater Analysis Bandwidth• Up to 13 GHz (26 GHz BBIQ)

Performance• Low noise, good dynamic range, flat response

Measurement Flexibility• RF, IF, baseband - time/frequency/modulation measurements

• Over the air, direct in circuit probing (single ended/differential)

• Multi-channel measurements (correlation, BBIQ, MIMO)

• Open architecture (Windows® XP, MATLAB®)

Expanding Measurement Applications for Scopes



9

Agenda






10

Narrowband vs. Broadband Communications

Narrowband:• Cellular systems, wireless LANs

• Narrow spectrum (<40 MHz)

• High dynamic range signals (>60 dB)

• Measure with spectrum analyzers and VSA tools

Broadband:• Ultra-wideband (UWB), WiMedia MB-OFDM, radar,

satcom

• Wide spectrum (>100 MHz)

• Reasonable dynamic range signals (<40 dB)

• Measure with oscilloscope and VSA tools DSO80000B Series Oscilloscope

N9020A MXA/VSA



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Bandwidth, Dynamic range, Noise• Scope dynamic range < spectrum analyzers dynamic range

• Scope dynamic range improved by over-sampling and band passing

• Uncorrelated noise floor (dynamic range) can be improved, but deterministic noise floor (spurious free dynamic range) can not

• Spectrum analyzer analysis bandwidth < scope analysis bandwidth• Spectrum analyzers bandwidth is increased by sweeping tuner

• Wide bandwidths can be displayed but spread data cannot

Spectrum Analyzers and Oscilloscopes



12

Agenda






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• Noise Floor• Magnitude and Phase Response • Dynamic Range• Aliasing• Input Range• Memory Depth• Harmonic Distortion

Oscilloscope Digitizer/System Performance



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• Noise/spurious • Noise often listed as the major concern when

using a high speed 8 bit digitizer• Spurious free dynamic range (correlated noise)

• Noise floor (uncorrelated noise)

• Eight bits equals 256 Q levels or 0.4%, absolute effect of the A/D converter is a sub percent error.




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• Review noise calculations• Noise density (dBm/Hz) = 10 Log{[(Noise (rms)^2/ 50

ohms)/1mW]/(BW)}

• Noise floor = Noise density x input bandwidth

• Noise floor = Noise (dBm/Hz) + 20 log (BW)

• What is the noise performance of a PSA? • About –150dBm/Hz

• What is the noise of a scope? • About 300uV at a BW of 1 GHz (DSO8104B), or –147dBm/Hz.

• About 400uV at a BW of 12 GHz (DSO81204B) or -154dBm/Hz.

Example: VSA80000 Series Performance



16

Noise Floor: A Function of Bandwidth

The noise figure is fixed, but the noise floor and bits are not. Over-sampling and filtering reduce noise

@12GHz bandwidth

σ= 406uV/p-p = 4.3mV

@10GHz bandwidth

σ= 365uV/p-p = 3.6mV

@6GHz bandwidthσ= 278uV/p-p = 2.8mV

@1GHz bandwidthσ= 153uV/p-p =

1.6mV

Noise reduction control panelNoise reduction control panel

DSO81204B Example



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Example, VSA80000 Series PerformanceMagnitude and Phase Response

Agilent DSO81204B/DSO81304B

-6.0-5.0-4.0-3.0-2.0-1.00.01.02.03.04.05.06.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Frequency (GHz)

Mag

nitu

de (d

B)

Scope 12GHz Scope 13GHz

• Scopes only specify a flatness specification of -3db point (BW of scope)

• Good time-domain response necessitates good magnitude and phase response

• Near brick wall filter design



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• Dynamic Range• Going beyond generalized

calculations based on bits

• Differentiating noise sources

• “In-band” measurements

• “Out-of-band” measurements

• Harmonic Distortion• Second and third


Wideband off the air capture of wireless signals at IDF one foot from UWB signal, tens of feet from any other RF source



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Dynamic RangeMag

Freq

Single tone (ideal sine wave, ideal FFT)

DC



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Dynamic Range (Spurious Free)

-50 dBc

Mag

Freq

Single tone (clean sine wave) + spurs

DC



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Dynamic RangeMag

Freq

Single tone + random noise

-40 dBc

DC



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Dynamic RangeMag

Freq

Single tone + correlated spurs + random noise + over-sampling and filtering

-20 dB

-40 dBc

DC

-50 dBc



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Dynamic Range (Spurious Free)Mag

Freq

Single tone (clean sine wave) + spurs + 2nd and 3rd harmonics + over-sampling and filtering

-40 dBc

DC



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Dynamic RangeMag

Freq

OFDM modulated signal + spurs + 2nd and 3rd harmonics + over-sampling and filtering

> -40 dBc

DC



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Dynamic Range (-72 dBc)

Real world example:DSO801204B



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Spurious Free Dynamic Range (Spurs)




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Full Span FFT of MB-OFDM




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• Range• Oscilloscopes most sensitive range is 3 mV/division or about

–30 dBm signal full scale, practical limits about –65 dBm

• Memory• Can be a concern, holding sample rate above Nyquist rate of

the analog bandwidth provides best performance

• Aliasing• Can be misleading when not understood, very useful when

understood• “Mathematical down-conversion”• Memory conservation




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The Final Measurement Results on Real Signals



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The Final Measurement Results on Real Signals



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QPSK, 150 MSym/s, 3 GHz, -30 dBm (Conducted)



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QPSK, 150 MSym/s, 3 GHz, -30 dBm (Probed)



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InfiniiMax I & II 1.5~13GHz Probing System:



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QPSK, 150 MSym/s, 3 GHz, -60 dBm (Conducted)



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QPSK, 150 MSym/s, 321.4MHz IF (Conducted)



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QPSK, 150 MSym/s (Baseband IQ)



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Agenda






38

Select Number of Segments and Time Stamping

Acquired Bursting Signal with Segmented Memory

Use Play/Search Controls to Navigate Through Segments

Analysis Across Segments to Spot Problems



39

New N5430A User Defined Function

• “Enhance Infiniium oscilloscope with seamless gateway to powerful MATLAB analysis functionality”

• The N5430A user defined function allows users to embed IP into Infiniium.

• Develop custom analysis math/functions utilizing MATLAB functionality specific measurement needs.

• User defined function displays returned result in “live” on the scope display.

• Note: Users must obtain their own MATLAB license

An example of a FIR filter simulation. The red box shows returned value updated live on a scope display.

LFE filter function example with RTEye plotting turned on



40

InfiniiScan: Event Identification Beyond Conventional Triggering

• Works like hardware triggers • Uses post-process search• Types of searches:

• Specified Measurement• Zone Qualify (2 sizeable zones)• General Serial Pattern (up to 80 bits)• Non-Monotonic Edge• Runt Signal Finder



41

InfiniiScan: Event Identification Beyond Conventional TriggeringZone qualify

“must / must not pass” zones

General serial software trigger

can isolate events up to 80 bit

Runt software finder finds runt signal

Non-monotonic edge finder



42

Unique Fault Location Decoding Capability

Real-time eye using clock

recovery Eye mask “unfold” on

failures 8b/10b decode, search, & triggering



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Measurement Histograms, Trends and Spectrum



44

MB-OFDM UWB Analysis • Analyze WiMedia-based multi-band

OFDM ultra-wideband PHY-layer signals

• Supports all time frequency codes (TFC1 through TFC10), including FFI (non-hopped), TFI and TFI2 (hopped) modes

• Measure key WiMedia-based compliance parameters such as EVM, ACPR, frequency error, PDF, along with many other parameters key to debug and optimization of radio designs.

• Measure conducted (WiMedia radio C&I) or radiated (products with integrated antenna)

Individual carrier

ACP calculation markers and limit lines



45

Vector Modulation Analysis for Radar & Satellite• Characterize wideband radar and satellite communications signals

• Capture up to 13 GHz bandwidth in a single acquisition

• Measure pulsed, burst, or continuous signals

• Analyze modulation formats suchas FSK, GFSK, MSK, BPSK, QA, APSK, VSB, and more

• Measure constellation diagrams, carrier offset, and frequency error using flexible demodulation

Modulation analysis of a QPSK signal

RF multipath signals analysis



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Software Applications CommentsE2681A EZJIT Jitter Analysis Measurements, histograms, measurement trending, jitter spectrum

N5400A EZJIT Plus Jitter Analysis Adds jitter separation into components and bit error rateE2690B M1 Oscilloscope Tools Most advanced and flexible jitter analysis package

E2688A SDA Serial Data Analysis Clock recovery, mask testing, real-time eyes, 8b/10b decode & triggerN5414A InfiniiScan Event ID (NEW!) Event identification SW: glitch, serial, zones, measurement limits,

89601A Vector Signal Analysis Ultra-wide-band, multi-port vector signal analysis.N5391A Low Speed SDA Decode, search & trigger on I2C, SPI low speed serial bus protocols

N5402A CAN Serial Data Analysis Decode, search & trigger on CAN serial bus protocol.N5416A USB Compliance Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results.

N5392A Ethernet Compliance Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results.Fire-Wire Compliance FW compliance solution from 3rd party partner.

N5394A DVI Compliance Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results.N5399A HDMI Compliance Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results.

N5393A PCI Express Compliance Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results. N5413A DDR2 Clock Characterize. Test selection, configuration, connection, execution, results.

N5409A Fully Buffered DIMM Wizard based test framework as aboveN5410A Fiber Channel Comp. Wizard based test framework as above

N5411A Serial ATA Compliance Wizard based test framework as aboveN5412A SAS Compliance Wizard based test framework as above

N5430A User Defined Function Seamless linkage to MATLAB to support custom functionsN5403A Noise Reduction DSP noise reduction capability

E2625A – Comms Mask Test Kit Low speed electrical mask testing for ANSI and ITU standardsE2699A My Infiniium Customize Infiniium user interface to launch 3rd party executables

E2682A Voice Control Option Hands free operation of the Infiniium oscilloscope

Jitter

Analysis

Compliance

Utilities



47

Conditioning RF Signals for Envelope Measurements

PULSEDPULSEDRADARRADAR

JitterSource

Pulse Envelope

Trigger

Ch1

InfiniiumOscilloscope

PRI Reference

Crystal Detector

Using PRI reference to trigger scope and get the jitter of pulse envelope.Need a crystal detector to get pulse envelope from RF/MW radar signal.



48

Conditioning RF Signals for Triggering

Low trigger jitter required

PULSEDPULSEDRADARRADAR

JitterSource

Pulse Envelope

Ch1

Trigger

InfiniiumOscilloscopeCrystal Detector

Using pulse envelope to trigger scope and acquire RF/MW radar signal.Need a crystal detector to get pulse envelope from RF/MW radar signal.



49

Agenda

• Introduction• RF Block Diagrams and Measurement Points• Compare and Contrast Narrowband vs. Wideband• Infiniium Digitizer Performance





50

VSA80000 Series Complete System:• 89601A VSA software is pre-installed, licensed,

and operation verified

• Include any scope or VSA options to customize to your needs

• Launch the VSA software from scope UI (Analyze menu pick)

• Configurable to turn-on as a UWB VSA or a scope (Utility menu pick)

• Comes with 12 months free VSA software update subscription to keep up-to-date

• GSA listed

• 10 MHz reference

Enable means boot up as a VSA



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It’s an Ultra-Wideband VSA, not Just a Scope:• Save time by not having to install and license the VSA software

• Eliminate procurement issues of not being able to buy a scope or software

• The front panel label identifies it as a VSA80000A UWB VSA



52

VSA 80000 Series• Provides wideband analysis

for RF R&D engineers requiring >80MHz bandwidth. Up to 13 GHz bandwidth.

– Ultra-wideband (UWB)

– Aerospace/defense—radar, secure communications, satellite

• Natural extension for digital R&D engineers already using a scope, working on communications systems



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VSA8000A Series (Infiniium DSO and 89601A VSA SW)

Model DSO 80204B

80304B 80404B 80604B 80804B 81004B 81204B 81304B

Bandwidth 2 GHz 3 GHz 4 GHz 6 GHz 8 GHz 10 GHz 12 GHz 13 GHz

# of Channels 4 Channels

Sample Rate 20 GSa/s on Full Channels (3 or 4), 40 GSa/s on Half Channels (1 or 2)

Noise(rms at 100 mV/div)

1.0mV 1.2 mV 1.4 mV 1.7 mV 2.0 mV 2.3 mV 2.7 mV 3.3 mV

Max Serial Bus Rate

1.3 Gbs 2 Gbs 2.5 Gbs 4 Gbs 5 Gbs 6.6 Gbs 8 Gbs 8.5 Gbs(10Gbs for jitter measurements)

Base Price $30,000 $38,000 $48,000 $65,000 $75,000 $90,000 $105,000 $115,000

Optional Memory

1 M (.25M standard) on Full Channels, 2 M (.5M standard) on Half Channels +$6,000 (Includes 64 M up to 4 GSa/s)



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VSA80000A Series• Provides wideband analysis for RF

R&D engineers requiring >80MHz bandwidth up to 1 GHz bandwidth.



• Natural extension for digital R&D engineers already using a scope, working on communications systems

• Deep memory up to 128 Mpts enables long time capture at max sample rate for best demodulation

Model Bandwidth Channels Sample Rate Max MemoryDSO8104A 1 GHz 4 ch 4 GSa/s 128 MptsMSO8104A 1 GHz 4+16 ch 4 GSa/s 128 Mpts



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6000 Series Scope + 89601A VSA SW Solution• Provides low cost (starting at $4,500)

wideband (>100MHz) signal analysis for RF R&D engineers. Up to 1 GHz bandwidth.

– Education



– Provides flexible in-depth digital modulation analysis (opt AYA). Up to 1 GHz bandwidth.

• Deep memory up to 8 Mpts enables long time capture at max sample rate for best demodulation

• External PC required to run VSA software.



56

Summary

• Radio advancements are changing testing needs

• Infiniium Series scopes provide world class digitizing performance for RF applications

• New scope measurement capabilities aid A&D design and debug



57

Q&A

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/vsa80000

www.agilent.com/find/uwb

Thank you

Documents

Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2007 Module G2—Digitizing and Analyzing Ultra-Wideband Signals Digitizing and Analyzing Ultra-Wideband Signals Author: