Innovative RF/Microwave Solutions up to 40 GHz
and Integrated Software Defined Radio Technology
ATE
ATE Product Overview
Elcom Technologies manufactures fast switching frequency synthesizers which are widely used in ATE. Our UFS and IBS product families, with frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 40 GHz, are market leaders in radar test, EW threat simulation and RCS application. Our products offer industry leading performance in phase noise, switching speed, and low harmonic/spurious levels. Additionally, these products offer unique optional features like full-band phase coherency, wideband FM, and IF injection which allows precision wideband vector modulation.
The modular architecture used for sub-assemblies within both the UFS and IBS series frequency synthesizers, coupled with a responsive and collaborative engineering team, allows a level of customization within a COTS product not available from other vendors. Systems can be readily configured for the user’s specific requirements, eliminating unnecessary cost drivers. Standard form factors for these synthesizers are 19” rack mount and VME. Other form factors can be readily configured with minimal NRE costs.
Applications
Radar Testing
The radar test system is a sophisticated measurement instrument used to support production and operational testing in either ground-based or airborne configurations. It has been used in a number of important production and real-time applications.
Threat Simulation
The threat simulator is a "smart" simulation test and evaluation system used to generate and simulate realistic threat scenarios. Elcom’s frequency synthesizers allow high-speed generation of complex dynamic electromagnetic environments to simulate true-to-war conditions, enabling military specialists to test and evaluate the performance of advanced electronic warfare systems such as radar warning receivers, electronic countermeasures and signal intelligence systems. Our IBS and UFS products are also used in electronic countermeasure target simulators making possible a wide variety of ECM and target simulation waveforms.
Flight Line Testing
The countermeasures test set provides end-to-end testing of electronic countermeasures systems, radar homing, warning systems and integrated power-management systems. Elcom manufactures VMESG based signal sources that provide the stimulus needed to engage the EW system under test. Complementing this are Elcom’s VMEST tuners that measure the response.
Laboratory Calibration
Elcom Technologies manufactures fast switching synthesizer products used in laboratory calibration. The fast switching speed and low phase noise of these synthesizers provide clean signal generation up to 40 GHz. Exceptionally low phase noise, fine step-size frequency resolution with zero synchronization error, and fast switching enables efficient accurate laboratory-level calibration.
Technology
Elcom UFS Series Synthesizers utilize the most advanced COTS technology for microwave and digital devices currently available. This includes the fastest FPGA digital processors, broadband low power MMIC amplifiers, switches and RFIC’s, lowest phase noise VHF OCXO and Proprietary Microwave Reference Generators that rival only Optical Based Generators.
The UFS was designed with special emphasis on high MTBF and modular construction. High MTBS is achieved by designing for minimum DC power dissipation, leading to lower junction temperatures. Application of high density FPGA’s significantly reduces the parts count and packaging volume.
Elcom's IBS series synthesizers are based on indirect PLL design technology with internal DDS for fine frequency step resolution. Elcom's proprietary VCO / PLL design approach minimizes switching speeds, and provides for superior microphonic performance and lower power consumption compared to traditional designs.
Products
UFS-18
Overview
Elcom’s UFS family of microwave synthesizers meets today’s most demanding testing needs found in the laboratory, on production lines, and in system development and maintenance. The UFS delivers an unsurpassed combination of ultra fast switching speed, extremely low phase noise, low spurious, and wide frequency tuning range with small frequency step size. The basic advanced direct analog frequency synthesizer architecture provides for ultra fast switching speeds. This is complemented by a high speed direct digital synthesizer (DDS) subsystem implemented within the fastest available COTS FPGA. The DDS subsystem provides for small frequency step size with low spurious. Proprietary fixed frequency, low-phase noise PLL technology for the internal fixed frequency sources, along with the lowest phase noise VHF OCXO commercially available, yields extremely low phase noise.
Application of the latest semiconductor technologies for microwave and digital circuitry reduces parts count and reduces power dissipation, leading to high system MTBF. The standard configuration for the UFS is a rack-mount instrument, however, its modular internal layout facilitates configuration of the system to meet a limitless range of special custom synthesizer requirements for packaging and performance.
Standard Features
- 300 MHz to 18.0 GHz coverage with 1 Hz tuning resolution and +10 dBm output leve
- Spurious 65 dBc
- 250 nanosecond switching speed
- Parallel BCD interface for high speed
- Ability to lock to an external 10 MHz reference, and exact synchronization to the external reference. Note that many competitive designs exhibit a synchronization error due to digital round-off. This makes for an output frequency error anywhere from a fraction of one Hz to several Hz when locked to an external reference.
Rich Set of Optional Features Available
The architecture of the UFS has been developed to provide various high-level as well as basic optional functions. These include:
- Full band phase coherency. For some applications, this feature allows one synthesizer to serve the role of multiple units, providing a major reduction in cost of ownership.
- 3 GHz fixed frequency IF signal loop back at the rear panel. The user can apply I/Q or vector modulation in line with this signal to convert the UFS into a vector signal generator.
- Reduced band or expanded band frequency coverage. Reduced band frequency coverage will provide cost savings while maintaining high system performance for the user’s operating band. Expanded band coverage can provide output to 40 GHz.
- Increased switching speed to 50 nanoseconds
- Fast externally controlled digital attenuator, 0-30 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- Pulse modulation
- Alternate packaging and interface configurations
Download UFS 18 FEI Elcom zzzzIBS
The IBS wideband low phase noise microwave frequency synthesizer covers the full 50 MHz to 20 GHz tuning range with a tuning step size of 10 Hz and with tuning speed of less than 200 microseconds. Based on Elcom's proprietary PLL indirect frequency synthesizer technology which utilizes high speed digital signal processing, the IBS is a cost-effective solution for a wide range of demanding frequency synthesizer applications. An AM modulator, a fast pulse modulator, and multiple 60 dB range variable attenuators are integrated within the IBS system. While the IBS is often used as stand-alone laboratory instrument, with its exceptional RF performance, signal control features, and options for interface and packaging, the fast tuning IBS is ideal in the ATE environment and in OEM systems.
Application of the latest semiconductor technologies for microwave and digital circuitry within the IBS reduces parts count and reduces power dissipation, leading to high system MTBF. The IBS is offered in two standard packaging and interface configurations: 19 inch rack-mount with GPIB interface, and 3 slot VME format.
VMEST
The VMEST is a broadband microwave tuner/down converter housed in a 3-slot 6U VME package. The VMET covers 50 MHz to 18 GHz with 10 Hz tuning step size. Its compact industry standard VME modular package makes VMEST ideal for complex test and measurement systems where space is limited.
Frequency coverage is divided into two bands, each having a separate SMA input connector. Band 1 covers 50 MHz to 2000 MHz. Band 2 covers 2000 MHz to 18 GHz and includes a broad band YIG pre-selector. The desired band is switch selectable. The VMET tuner employs a triple conversion architecture with selectable IF output frequencies at 70 MHz or 140 MHz. This architecture is engineered for low spurious and high dynamic range. The agile LO synthesizer in this system is a standard Elcom IBS, indirect, type of frequency synthesizer delivering excellent phase noise and fast tuning and small step size.
VMESG
The IBS/VMESG Series is a family of synthesized signal sources based on indirect PLL technology with an internal direct digital synthesizer for fine resolution. Elcom's VCO/PLL design approach realizes much faster switching speeds, superior microphonic performance, lower phase noise, and lower power consumption than traditional designs.The instruments have trigger inputs, an Ethernet control interface with programmable frequency list mode, and can be supplied with or without a front panel that has controls for local operation. They are also available in a VME configuration.
These instruments are excellent choices for use in automated test systems to provide the primary test stimulus, or to provide a local oscillator (LO) signal. Other applications include radar and electronic warfare systems in which broadband coverage, low phase noise, fast switching speeds, and high reliability is of primary importance. Any IBS/VMESG model can be provided with an internal pulse modulator that modulates the RF output signal according to an externally supplied digital pulse input signal.
Each IBS/VMESG Series synthesized signal source passes rigorous inspections and tests prior to shipment. Every VMESG synthesized source is shipped in operational condition and no special installation procedures are required other than providing AC power.
No special cooling is required when operating the IBS Series instruments. However, for best results it should be operated in a temperature-controlled environment. Ambient temperature variations during use will affect the repeatability and accuracy of measurements made using the instrument. The synthesized source remote unit has a fan to dissipate heat.
The front panel is designed to allow all major functions to be operated easily and without extensive operator training. The operator is guided through various settings and operations via a multi-line LCD and keypad for data entry. All operating modes and features can be invoked from both the front panel and remote control interface. The unit can also be provided without the front panel interface and controlled exclusively via the remote control interface. The functions of the IBS/VMESG Series instruments are divided into groups on the front panel that make changing settings easier.
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