Firefox synthesizer user manual document: 0012008 version: 004 date: 10 april, 2008.
Firefox synthesizer user manual copyright © 2008 jackson-labs.
© 2006 jackson-labs i firefox synthesizer user manual table of contents 1 introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Firefox synthesizer user manual ii © 2006 jackson-labs 1.4.10.1ocxo status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1.4.10.2gps status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1.4.10.3sys config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 1.4.11using the external mixer . . ....
© 2006 jackson-labs iii firefox synthesizer user manual 2.5.2.6 [source]:sweep:step? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 2.5.2.7 [source]:sweep:generation . . . . . . . 34 2.5.2.8 [source]:sweep:spacing . . . . . . . . 35 2.5.2.9 [source]:sweep:direction . . . . . . . 35 2.5.2.10[source]:sweep:...
Firefox synthesizer user manual iv © 2006 jackson-labs 3.5 gps receiver faqs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 3.5.1 why did you include a gps receiver in the firefox synthesizers? . . . . . . 47 3.5.2 how does the firefox handle gps hold-over mode? . . . . . . . . . . . 48 3.5....
© 2006 jackson-labs 1 firefox synthesizer user manual introduction 1.1 overview the firefox synthesizer is a continuous wave (cw), a digital, and a sweeping broadband signal generator with an ultra high-accuracy built-in frequency reference. The unit can generate cw or sweep signals ranging from 0.0...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 2 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.2 certification jackson labs certifies that this product met its published specifications at time of shipment. 1.2.1 warranty this jackson labs hardware product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 (one) ye...
© 2006 jackson-labs 3 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.3 general 1.3.1 environmental conditions this instrument is intended for indoor use. It is designed to operate at a maximum relative non-condensing humidity of 95% and at altitudes of up to 4000 meters. Refer to the specifications tables for th...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 4 © 2006 jackson-labs removed. To avoid injuries, always disconnect power, discharge circuits and remove external voltage sources before touching components. 1.3.6 do not service or adjust alone do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person, capa...
© 2006 jackson-labs 5 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.4 quick start instructions the following paragraphs describe the basic operational procedures to use the firefox unit. The user interface for the firefox oem board and the firefox desktop unit are essentially identical. 1.4.1 connecting the ins...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 6 © 2006 jackson-labs after a certain time, the voltage on the battery will drop to a level at which the gps real time clock ceases to run. The gps unit will continue to hold the data in its memory for several days after this happens, but the time and date will not be...
© 2006 jackson-labs 7 firefox synthesizer user manual use the up and down keys to change the frequency triplet. You may also press and hold the up or down keys to automatically scan through the frequency range. The speed of the scan will increase after a short time intervall. When scanning the frequ...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 8 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.4.6 using the cmos and lvds outputs the firefox unit is unique in that it can produce both analog (sine wave) outputs, and digital outputs simultaneously. Four front panel digital outputs are available. All four outputs on the front panel are d...
© 2006 jackson-labs 9 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.4.7 setting up the dds enter the menu setup->dds to control the internal settings of the firefox signal generator rf dds (digital direct signal generator). 1.4.7.1 setting the phase offset enter the setup->dds->phase offset menu item to control...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 10 © 2006 jackson-labs the unit will not generate frequencies above the limit frequency selected in this menu item. The limit frequency will be stored in non-volatile memory until changed in this menu item. 1.4.8.2 power unit in the setup->output->power unit menu the ...
© 2006 jackson-labs 11 firefox synthesizer user manual – from f1 to f2 back and forth from f2 to f1 continuously sweeping until the right key is pressed. Every sweep from f1 to f2 or f2 to f1 will have a duration d. The sweep settings are accessible directly from the main menu sweep. 1.4.10 monitori...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 12 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.4.10.3 sys config this menu item will show various firefox system parameters. The first item in the lcd is the firefox signal generator firmware version. Scpi commands are available with firmware version 3.0 or later. The gps type is displayed...
© 2006 jackson-labs 13 firefox synthesizer user manual typical signal levels at the mixer inputs are -20dbm to 5 dbm for the rf input, and 0dbm for the lo input. Care must be exercised to avoid driving the mixer rf and lo inputs above 10dbm. Driving the inputs above this level could damage the mixer...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 14 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.4.13.2 ocxo timing reference output the rear panel 10mhz time-base reference output is highly accurate, and disciplined by the gps receiver. This output is driven by a high-speed cmos driver with 3.3vpp output drive voltage. This output may ei...
© 2006 jackson-labs 15 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.4.14.3 controlling the m12+ gps receiver using a pc you may use motorola’s winoncore12 windows(tm) program to check the motorola m12+ gps timing receiver status, and to modify advanced settings of the gps receiver such as satellite mask angles...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 16 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.5 firefox desktop typical specifications 1.5.1 specification summary item description specification frequency range resolution accuracy measured over 30 minutes settling time dc - 1640mhz 10 micro hertz frequency sweeping start and stop freque...
© 2006 jackson-labs 17 firefox synthesizer user manual spurs typical worst case spurs 150mhz - 400mhz carrier 400mhz - 800mhz carrier 800mhz - 1640mhz carrier phase adjustment 390mhz - 775mhz 775mhz - 1640mhz 0.1 degree steps 0.2 degree steps 0.4 degree steps cmos output bnc front-panel connector dc...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 18 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.5.2 typical allan deviation plots the firefox allan deviation in figure 1.2 was measured by an internationally recognized independent test lab using a hydrogen maser as a reference compared to the firefox signal generator front-panel rf output...
© 2006 jackson-labs 19 firefox synthesizer user manual figure 1.3 shows the typical allan deviation when using the optional, ultra-high-stability double-oven ocxo. Note the significant stability improvement for time periods above 1s measurement intervals when using the double-oven ocxo option as com...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 20 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.5.3 block diagram the firefox built-in gpsdo feeds a direct digital synthesizer (dds) which allows continuous-wave (cw) frequencies from dc to 1.64ghz to be generated with 10µhz (15 digit) resolution over a 1.64ghz range. With the help of its ...
© 2006 jackson-labs 21 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.6 detailed overview the following paragraphs provide an in-depth overview of the features, applications and capabilities of the firefox signal generators. 1.6.1 applications the firefox synthesizer has five outputs to provide signals to applic...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 22 © 2006 jackson-labs the firefox synthesizer is particularly well suited for the following applications due to its high accuracy and resolution. These types of applications were previously difficult to achieve with conventional equipment: * combining two firefox uni...
© 2006 jackson-labs 23 firefox synthesizer user manual a standard positive dc-biased differential lvds output is available on two sma connectors. These signals are typically used to drive ultra high speed digital signals into fpga’s, asics, backplanes, or memories. For lvds compatible signals, two 1...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 24 © 2006 jackson-labs 1.6.4 dds synthesizer the firefox variable output frequency is generated by a direct digital synthesizer with 48bit resolution. Figure 1.5 shows the block diagram of the firefox synthesizer, with the dds module visible on the upper part of the i...
© 2006 jackson-labs 25 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.6.6 user interface a 5-key keypad is used to control the settings of the firefox synthesizer. Status is displayed on a 20x4 character lcd display. The keypad is used to select frequency, amplitude, and menu settings that control the gps receiv...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 26 © 2006 jackson-labs figure 1.7 firefox oem module system board bottom.
© 2006 jackson-labs 27 firefox synthesizer user manual 1.6.10 generic mixer the firefox synthesizer includes a generic broadband mixer that is accessible via three sma connectors (firefox oem module) or three bnc connectors (firefox desktop unit). The mixer can be disabled via the front panel keypad...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 28 © 2006 jackson-labs.
© 2008 jackson-labs 29 firefox synthesizer user manual scpi remote control 2.1 rs-232 scpi remote control beginning with firmware release 3.0, the firefox signal generator can be controlled remotely through a serial rs-232 connection via the built-in system rs-232 port located on the back-panel. The...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 30 © 2008 jackson-labs 2.4 serial communication setup the rs-232 serial configuration used in the firefox signal generator is 8-bit word-length, no parity, 1 stop-bit. A windows hyper-terminal is sufficient to transfer commands into the firefox signal generator (turn ...
© 2008 jackson-labs 31 firefox synthesizer user manual oper? This command is the query of the operation status register. Only bit3 (sweeping) is actually currently managed. All the other bits are set to zero. 2.5.1 frequency subsystem the firefox signal generator has two output operating modes: cont...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 32 © 2008 jackson-labs the numeric value is interpreted as in the command cw. On *rst, the center frequency is set to 1.64ghz/2 = 820.0mhz 2.5.1.1.4 [source]:frequency:span this command sets the range for the frequency sweep. Changing this value will affect the start ...
© 2008 jackson-labs 33 firefox synthesizer user manual : dwell : points :time :step? :generation : spacing : direction :count this command controls the frequency sweep functionality of the firefox. The rf output power is leveled during frequency sweeping, and the output level is set by the power com...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 34 © 2008 jackson-labs in hardware-controlled sweeping mode, this value must be in the range [ 8.E-9, 5.2428 e-4] with a resolution of 8ns . Upon *rst, this value is 0.001 s. 2.5.2.4 [source]:sweep:points the number of points in a stepped sweep. This parameter is not ...
© 2008 jackson-labs 35 firefox synthesizer user manual 2.5.2.8 [source]:sweep:spacing this command controls the pace of the sweep functionality. The logarithmic spacing is only available on software-controlled sweeping mode. Upon *rst, this value is set to linear. 2.5.2.9 [source]:sweep:direction th...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 36 © 2008 jackson-labs outp 1 init:imme both command formats will initiate a software-controlled sweep with logarithmic frequency update rate from 100mhz to 1ghz with an rf output amplitude of +2dbm. The total duration of the sweep will be 30 seconds. 2.5.2.12 hardwar...
© 2008 jackson-labs 37 firefox synthesizer user manual 2.5.3.1 [source]:power[:level] [immediate][:amplitude] this command sets the actual magnitude of the output signal in sweep and cw mode. The unit is defined in dbm. On *rst, the power magnitude is set to the minimum of -40dbm. 2.5.4 phase subsys...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 38 © 2008 jackson-labs initiate:immediate this command issues a trigger event and will start the frequency sweep only if the following conditions are met: • the output is on • the frequency mode is set to sweep if the conditions are not met at the time of the trigger,...
© 2008 jackson-labs 39 firefox synthesizer user manual 2.5.9 miscellaneous proprietary commands in order to facilitate use of the scpi commands, the following proprietary commands have been added. 2.5.9.1 help? This command give a summary of all the scpi commands available on the firefox signal gene...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 40 © 2008 jackson-labs • source:power?.
© 2006 jackson-labs 41 firefox synthesizer user manual faqs 3.1 overview the following pages try to answer commonly asked questions. Please refer to the online faq at www.Jackson-labs.Com for the most recent faqs. 3.2 general faqs general faqs discuss topics of general interest related to the firefo...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 42 © 2006 jackson-labs 3.2.3 how long does the firefox system take to warm up? The firefox system typically warms up to within 10-8 within 15 minutes. Its specified operating parameters and gps lock are typically achieved in less than 5 hours from a cold start when re...
© 2006 jackson-labs 43 firefox synthesizer user manual be used in any digital logic application up to 390mhz, far outperforming competitive solutions allowing it to be used in sdr, ddr, qdr memory interfaces, or as cpu master clock drivers. * 50 ohm ac-coupled spectrally pure rf sine-wave output fro...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 44 © 2006 jackson-labs 3.3.5 how come the display shows “uncal” below 1hz? The dds system resolution below 2mhz output frequencies is about 1.7764µhz. The output frequency of the firefox can be set by the user with 10µhz resolution. This step size when combined with t...
© 2006 jackson-labs 45 firefox synthesizer user manual 3.3.8 what happens to the firefox settings when the power is turned off? The firefox units have non-volatile memory that stores settings such as the frequency, amplitude, and menu options. This non-volatile memory does not require any battery ba...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 46 © 2006 jackson-labs 3.4.2 can the firefox system be powered by a battery? The firefox system requires a regulated 12.0v power supply to operate properly. A power source such as a lead acid type battery will have an output voltage ranging between 11v (discharged) to...
© 2006 jackson-labs 47 firefox synthesizer user manual 4) rs-232 db-9 null modem cable to calibrate the firefox rf output follow these steps after letting the equipment warm up for at least 30 minutes: 1) connect an agilent e4418b power meter via its rs-232 serial port to the firefox “system” rs-232...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 48 © 2006 jackson-labs 3.5.2 how does the firefox handle gps hold-over mode? Other commercially available reference-timing receivers boast of their long hold-over circuitry performance when not being able to receive any satellites. The firefox synthesizer uses a sligh...
© 2006 jackson-labs 49 firefox synthesizer user manual memory, and the mode will not have to be invoked again unless the unit is turned off for longer than 2 days (typically) or the units’ antenna is moved more than 30 feet. 3.5.6 what is the t-raim mode in the gps receiver? The firefox gps receiver...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 50 © 2006 jackson-labs as, 3d, 2d - position fixes. The unit is receiving 3d or 2d position fixes when in auto survey mode. Ten thousand readings are required to finish auto survey mode. Ok - position hold mode with locked ocxo. The unit has locked the ocxo to utc, an...
© 2006 jackson-labs 51 firefox synthesizer user manual estimate of the overall time base drift over the last 30 minutes can be established. This drift is typically less than +5x10^-11 over a thirty-minute period when locked to the gps signal. As an example, let's assume the frequency estimate displa...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 52 © 2006 jackson-labs 10.0mhz = (4294967296 * 1ghz)/ 2^32 the advantage of integer mode is thus that this particular tuning word generates a cycle-accurate, phase-drift-free 10mhz signal without any cycle slipping, or residual. The phase angle to the internal 10mhz o...
© 2006 jackson-labs 53 firefox synthesizer user manual auto calibration 4.1 introduction the firefox synthesizer does not require frequency calibration, it continuously self-calibrates its internal ocxo by using the gps timing receiver. The firefox synthesizer rf output level is factory calibrated, ...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 54 © 2006 jackson-labs e4418b specific control codes are sent to the agilent power meter via the rs-232 serial port in scpi format, so power meters that are not e4418b rs-232 scpi compatible will not function with the firefox auto calibration procedure. 4.2.3 calibrat...
© 2006 jackson-labs 55 firefox synthesizer user manual 4.3.1 sensor connection connect the power sensor to the firefox rf output. See figure 4.2 . Use a bnc to n-f adapter between the power sensor and the firefox synthesizer. Figure 4.3 shows how to connect the sensor and bnc to n adapter in detail....
Firefox synthesizer user manual 56 © 2006 jackson-labs the sensor may also be connected using a short cable, but this will affect output linearity due to cable to connector vswr mismatch. 4.3.2 serial cable connection the power meter is controlled by the firefox system controller via a serial port. ...
© 2006 jackson-labs 57 firefox synthesizer user manual the calibration setup is now ready to start the actual calibration procedure. 4.4 initiating calibration the calibration procedure is started by the firefox front panel keypad. Make sure the two units are connected correctly, and follow the proc...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 58 © 2006 jackson-labs 3) scroll down to the calibration sub menu. Please note that the calibration sub menu is on the sixth level, and thus not visible in the lcd display until you scroll above the top menu item, or below the bottom most menu item. See figure 4.5 on ...
© 2006 jackson-labs 59 firefox synthesizer user manual 4) enter the calibration sub menu 5) two menu items are shown (see figure 4.6 ): setup and debug. Entering setup will start the actual calibration procedure. Debug is used for factory testing. (continued) figure 4.6 starting the calibration proc...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 60 © 2006 jackson-labs 6) enter setup and verify that the lcd displays information similar to figure 4.7 the auto-calibration procedure will take several hours to finish. To avoid calibration errors, do not disconnect any of the cables or touch any of the buttons on e...
© 2006 jackson-labs 61 firefox synthesizer user manual during calibration, the agilent power meter will display the momentary frequency and level of the output signal being measured. The frequency will vary from 2mhz to 1640mhz (see figure 4.8 ) please note that the power meter has been turned into ...
Firefox synthesizer user manual 62 © 2006 jackson-labs the unit will display a message as shown in figure 4.9 when the calibration is finished successfully. Calibration data is only stored in flash memory at the end of the calibration when this message is displayed. N.B.: to use the firefox, you mus...