3070A PXI High Performance

Wideband RF Digitizer

User Manual
Document no. 47090/198
Issue 1
27 June 2013
 PREFACE

About this manual

This manual explains how to set up and configure an Aeroflex 3070A PXI High Performance
Wideband RF Digitizer. Where necessary, it refers you to the appropriate installation
documents that are supplied with the module.

Please note: this manual applies only when the instrument is used with the supplied software.

This manual provides information about how to configure the module as a stand-alone device.
3070A is a PXI-based test instrument. You do not need other modules to form an instrument
with 3070A. You can use 3070A with other modules/instruments to form a system.

© Aeroflex Ltd. 2013

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or recorded by any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing by Aeroflex Ltd.
(hereafter referred to throughout the document as ‘Aeroflex’).

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 PREFACE

Intended use
Aeroflex 3000 Series PXI modules are intended for installation in any PXI-compliant chassis,
subject to its ability to provide the required air flow for cooling.
The 3070A PXI High Performance Wideband RF Digitizer is designed for users who need to
down-convert and digitize RF signals for the purpose of test and measurement.
This manual is intended for first-time users, to provide familiarity with basic operation. The
module is controlled using the PXI Studio 2 application software (supplied), which provides
an intuitive graphical interface.
Programming is not covered in this document but is documented fully in the help files that
accompany the drivers and associated software on the CD-ROM.

Driver version
This PXI module is designed to be used with the driver software supplied with the module on
the Aeroflex 3000 Series PXI Modules CD-ROM, part no. 46886/028. You can also download
the latest driver from the Aeroflex website.
Aeroflex makes every endeavor to ensure 3070A hardware remains backwards compatible
with earlier versions of the module driver. However, operation with earlier versions of driver
software may not be supported.

® is a registered trademark of Aeroflex International Inc. in the US

PXI™ is a trademark of the PXI Systems Alliance
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

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 PREFACE

Associated documentation
If you want to… Refer to…
Find information about drivers, PXI Modules CD-ROM
application software, data sheets, getting
started and user manuals for this and Part no. 46886/028
other modules in the 3000 Series.
Supplied with the module

Install modules into a rack, interconnect 3000 Series PXI Modules Common Installation Guide
them, power up and install drivers.
Part no. 46882/663

On CD-ROM 46886/028 and at www.aeroflex.com/

Set up a populated chassis ready for 3000 Series PXI Modules Installation Guide for
use. Chassis

Part no. 46882/667

On CD-ROM 46886/028 and at www.aeroflex.com/

Set up and use the universal PXI PXI Studio 2 User Guide
application for system configuration and
operation. Part no: 46892/809

On CD-ROM 46886/028 and at www.aeroflex.com/

Use ® to create and package ® Getting Started Guide

arbitrary waveform files Part no: 46892/599
 User Guide
®

Part no: 46892/627

On CD-ROM 46886/030

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 PREFACE

Patent information
This instrument is protected by the following:
UK patent application:
GB2475514A
Granted patents:
GB2294599
US5781600
GB2383205
EP145693
DE60209374.0-08
US7005925

PXI™ is a trademark of the PXI Systems Alliance

Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

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 PREFACE

Preface
Hybrid slot compatibility
PXI chassis that provide hybrid slots can accept both PXI Express modules and hybrid-
compatible PXI modules. Hybrid-compatible PXI modules have a ‘missing’ section of
connector (see Fig. 1), which allows them to be inserted into both hybrid slots and standard
PXI-1 slots.

Fig. 1 Standard PXI-1 connector (L) and hybrid-compatible PXI connector (R)

The 3070A fits in both hybrid-compatible and standard slots: but see rack compatibility
information for guidance on which slots may be used.

Number of slots
The 3070A occupies three slots in the chassis.

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 GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
This is the user manual for the 3070A PXI High Performance Wideband RF Digitizer module
(referred to generically in this document as ‘3070A’).
The 3070A operates over the frequency range 250 MHz to 6.0 GHz.

Applications
The 3070A down-converts and digitizes RF signals. It converts an analog RF waveform
presented at the RF port into a series of amplitude- and phase-corrected digital IF or IQ data
pairs at the rear-panel PCI interface. Software supplied with the module allows for spectrum
analysis of the digitized signals, and optional measurement suites provide signal analysis.
The 3070A can be used in RF test and measurement systems that are used in development or
manufacturing. Applications span all areas of radio communications but notably wide-
bandwidth communications systems; for example IEEE 802.11ac, where instantaneous signal
bandwidths of 160 MHz are possible.
Input range and accuracy
Input level control is provided by electronic switched attenuation, which helps to maximize
the usable dynamic range. The module has good level accuracy and repeatability, making the
module ideal for high-volume manufacturing.

Refer to the front-panel connector section for maximum allowable input powers, beyond
which damage to the module can occur.

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 GENERAL INFORMATION

Data capture and processing

Data capture can be single shot or repetitive, with the user defining trigger sources, conditions
and capture length and sample rate.
Data is captured to internal memory and read out over the PCI bus.
Signal routing
A configurable routing matrix provides flexibility in how to interconnect signals on the PXI
backplane, front-panel connections, and the module’s internal functions.
10 MHz frequency reference oscillator
The 3070A includes an OCXO frequency reference oscillator for use internally or for output
to other modules. The 3070A may also be referenced to an externally-applied 10 MHz
reference input.
Triggering
Triggering of data acquisition can be sourced externally from software or hardware. Hardware
triggering is supported across the PXI backplane or via front-panel connectors.
PXI backplane sources include PXI star trigger, PXI trigger bus and the PXI local bus.
External triggering is from the PXI backplane or the front-panel TRIG SSMB TTL input.
Internal triggering is from the internal timer or level trigger.
Software
The 3070A is supplied with a VXI Plug&Play driver, a C interface DLL, and a .net assembly.
PXI Studio 2, also supplied with the module, configures PXI modules as logical instruments
using an intuitive and powerful graphical interface. PXI Studio 2 provides comprehensive
signal generator, digitizer and spectrum analyzer applications and optional analysis plugins to
suit specific communications systems.

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 GENERAL INFORMATION

Deliverable items
• 3070A PXI High Performance Wideband RF Digitizer
• PXI Modules CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028), containing drivers, application software,
data sheets, installation guides, safety instructions and user manuals for this and other
modules in the 3000 Series
• Test results data CD-ROM, also contains calibration certificate: part no. 46886/054
• 3000 Series PXI Modules Safety Instructions: printed item, part no. 46882/882
• SMA semi-rigid link cable assembly 180 mm: part no. 43139/739

Specifications
For the latest specifications, see the data sheet included on the CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028)
or go to the Aeroflex website.
All specifications are defined when used in conjunction with the driver software supplied with
the module, or a later version.

Warm-up time
Allow thirty minutes for the module to warm up and meet its specifications fully after booting.

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 INSTALLATION

Initial visual inspection

Refer to the 3000 Series Common Installation Guide (part no. 46892/663) on the PXI
Modules CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028).

Handling precautions
Refer to the 3000 Series Common Installation Guide (part no. 46892/663) on the PXI
Modules CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028).

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 INSTALLATION

Hardware installation

Before installing the module into the chassis, check that:

(a) no foreign conductive bodies are present between pins on the backplane or module
connectors
(b) no pins on the backplane or module connectors are bent or damaged.
(c) check that the PXI backplane slot arrangement is compatible.

Airflow
The module’s temperature is critically dependent on airflow. The chassis type, module
position, fan speed setting, blanking plates, slot blockers and heat from adjoining modules can
all affect the cooling performance. In many chassis, the high fan-speed setting is
recommended.
When a module is installed in a new chassis or reconfigured in a new slot position in an
existing chassis, check the module’s temperature using the built-in temperature sensors, as
described in Temperature monitor.

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 INSTALLATION

It is recommended to fit slot blockers (part no. 22361/159)…

…in unused slots. Slot blockers help to maintain the integrity of the airflow in the chassis.

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 INSTALLATION

Absolute maximum temperatures

The module includes three internal temperature sensors that can be read via the software. The
general location of these sensors is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 Location of temperature sensors in 3070A

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 INSTALLATION

The absolute maximum temperatures within the 3070A module are listed in Table 1.
Operating at or near these limits seriously degrades reliability. The table also shows the
typical expected readings.

Table 1 Temperatures within 3070A

Measurement point Absolute maximum Typical temperature

temperature (23°C ambient)
°C °C

Center of module’s metalwork 74 46

FPGA temperature sensor 99 68

RF board temperature sensor 73 46

FLNS synthesizer temperature sensor 76 45

It should be sufficient to check the temperature sensors as described in Temperature monitor,

but a thermocouple may be taped to the ‘center of module’s metalwork’ point if required.
The typical temperature is tested under the following conditions:
• Aeroflex eight-slot PXI chassis model 82531
• Full fan speed
• Dust filters (where fitted) removed
• Slot blockers fitted in all unused slots.
The maximum operating ambient temperature under these conditions is approximately 45°C.

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 INSTALLATION

Thermal shutdown
The module contains an over-temperature trip that reduces the power dissipation if high
temperatures are detected. To ensure good performance and reliability, operate the module
well below this trip point, and check the module’s temperature using the built-in temperature
sensors, as described in Temperature monitor.

Installing the module into the PXI chassis

Refer to the 3000 Series Common Installation Guide (part no. 46892/663) and Installation
Guide for Chassis (part no. 46892/697) on the PXI Modules CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028).

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 INSTALLATION

Rack compatibility
The 3070A occupies three slots in the PXI chassis. Its rear connectors engage with two
backplane slots (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Backplane connectors on 3070A

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 INSTALLATION

The two slots with which the 3070A’s connectors engage must contain either PX1-1 ( )

or PXI Hybrid ( ) connectors only: slots intended for PXI express ( ) are not suitable.

Therefore there may be positions in a chassis where the 3070A should not be fitted, and you
need to check the symbols on all three slots to determine that they are suitable for the 3070A.
The following table shows the chassis compatibility for this module.

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 INSTALLATION

Compatibility table

3070A

Symbol on chassis Main Power n/c

9 9 9
Slot compatibility

PXI-1

PXI-h
9 9 9
PXIe
8 8 9

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 OPERATION
Front-panel connectors
1 RF IN SMA socket, 50 Ω. See Cautions
below.
2 10 MHz I/O Two SMA I/O sockets in parallel.
Frequency standard input or output.
3 DIGITAL I/F Not currently used.
4 LO IN Local oscillator input. +8 to +12 dBm.
5 LED Shows the status of the module.
6 TRIG A, B SSMB sockets, 50 Ω.Two inputs, TTL
+ve or –ve edge. Also configurable
as outputs.
7 LO OUT Local oscillator output. Typically
+10 dBm.

Maximum safe power at the RF

input is frequency dependent: see 3070A RF input power
handling.

RF connections may be sensitive to

ESD (electrostatic discharge). Avoid ESD to the center pins
of RF connectors, even when the module is installed in a
chassis.
When the module is not installed in a chassis, always store
it in its shipping container to protect it from ESD.

Fig. 4 3070A front panel

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 OPERATION

3070A RF input power handling

Input power handling at RF IN depends on the preamp state, and degrades at low frequencies
due to the ratings of the switches used in the signal path. This limit applies regardless of the
tuned receiver frequency.

Absolute maximum peak input power (dBm)

Input frequency Preamp off Preamp on

<1 MHz 0 0

1 MHz–5 MHz +20 +20

>5 MHz +30 +24

Front-panel LED
This indicates the status of the module:

yellow, slow flashing over-temperature shutdown

yellow, steady FPGA is configured and module has not booted

green, slow flashing module has booted, clocks are out of lock (10 MHz
reference not connected/incorrectly configured)

green, steady module has booted, clocks are in lock

yellow, fast flashing FPGA configuration error. This may occur if the power
is interrupted during an FPGA update. Try updating the
FPGA again.

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 OPERATION

Software
You can write your own code to run the 3070A module, using the function libraries supplied
with the installer. See Programming below.
Or you can run the module from PXI Studio 2, which lets you quickly set the module up to
digitize and perform spectrum analysis on a variety of modulation schemes, using a graphical
interface.

Programming
Use the afRfDigitizerDLL.dll C interface and afRfDigitizerVXI_32.dll Plug&Play CVI APIs.
Object-oriented programming is provided by the .net assembly (afRfDigitizerDotNet.dll).

Detailed help information

This user manual provides an overview of the facilities that the module provides and
summarizes its operation; however, refer to the help files for detailed descriptions of
functions, together with their parameter lists and return values.

Program files
Program files are installed onto your computer from the CD-ROM.
You should find registered C and VXI Plug&Play DLLs, .net assemblies, libraries, source and
associated help files in the program installation folder on your computer. These are typically:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Aeroflex\PXI\DotNET — .net assembly only
C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\WinNT\Bin — everything else.

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 OPERATION

Driver export functions

On-line help and functional documentation for driver export functions are available on the
CD-ROM supplied with your module. They are installed onto your computer at the same time
as the drivers.
Driver installation folder
Find help and functional documentation in the driver installation folder on your computer. If
you did not change the default location, this is typically the same as for the VISA software.
Help
Within the driver installation folder are help files that provide descriptions, lists of parameters,
and return values. Their location is:
C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\WinNT\afRfDigitizer — afRfDigitizerVXI_C.chm
— afRfDigitizerVXI.chm

These are VXI-compliant help files.

and

accessible from the Start menu link:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Aeroflex\PXI\Help — afRf Digitizer.chm

These are general help files for C, VXI, .net programming.

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 OPERATION

PXI Studio 2
Configuration
To use PXI Studio 2 (supplied on the CD-ROM) with the 3070A and any other modules in the
chassis, PXI Studio 2 must be configured to recognize the new modules. Do this by starting
PXI Studio 2 and selecting Config\System Configuration.
This shows the standard Hardware Configuration screen (full details are in the PXI Studio 2
user guide, part no. 46892/809)

To allow PXI Studio 2 to operate with the new hardware, you can either click
Auto Configure System, which creates a definition that includes all Aeroflex PXI modules
within the system; or you can select Create Instrument, which lets you specify which
hardware to use. Full details of this operation can be found in the PXI Studio 2 user guide.

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 OPERATION

Once the hardware configuration has been defined, use the Digitizer Front Panel (under the
Instruments menu) to control the 3070A Digitizer (full details in the PXI Studio 2 user guide).

Temperature monitor
You can view the temperature of any module within the system that supports temperature
monitoring by opening PXI Studio 2 and selecting Config\Module Temperature. Select the
appropriate digitizer, for example Digitizer1.

This screen shows the current operating temperature of the different subsystems within the
module, as well as the maximum and calibration ranges. If the temperature of a subsystem is
currently within the calibration range and maximum range, the readouts show green. If the
temperature is out of the calibrated limits, the screen text and graphical temperature display
show as orange. If the temperature has gone out of the maximum limits, the graphical
temperature display shows red.
Note that calibration temperature limits are not implemented for 3070A.

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 OPERATION

Example setup
This example shows how to set up a 3050A Signal Generator + 3320 Dual-channel AWG to
generate a waveform, and then display the analyzed waveform from the 3070A RF Digitizer.
You can explore the capabilities of the 3070A and gain familiarity with this and other
modules, using controlled variables, before adding a UUT for practical testing.

Software installation
Refer to the 3000 Series PXI Modules Common Installation Guide (part no. 46882/663) for
installation instructions for:
• 3000 Series drivers
• PXI Studio 2
The Common Installation Guide is supplied with each module as a PDF document on the PXI
Modules CD-ROM (part no. 46886/028).

Note: Ensure that you install the module drivers before the PXI Studio 2 application.

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 OPERATION

Hardware setup
In its simplest form, the hardware for the example setup is configured as shown in Fig. 5.

Note: The PXI chassis may have an embedded PXI controller running the application
software or be connected via a PCI–PXI, PCIe–PXI, PCI–PXI or PCIe–PXIe interface
kit to a computer running the application software.

3320 3050A 3070A

RF Digitizer

RF IN
I/P PWR MAX
+20 dBm > 1MHz
+0 dBm < 1MHz
± 12 V DC

TRIG I/O LO OUT 10 MHz I/O

B

LO IN

LO IN

DIGITAL I/F

C6501

Slot no. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fig. 5 Example of hardware setup — 3320, 3050A, 3070A interconnection

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 OPERATION

• Ensure that 3000 Series drivers and PXI Studio 2 are installed (on the computer connected
to the PXI chassis or on the embedded computer in the PXI chassis).
• Once the modules are installed and powered up, check that their temperatures are in the
correct operating range: this is described in Temperature monitor. Check temperatures
both for the 3070A, and also the SigSource formed by the 3050A and 3320. The 3050A
and 3320 are documented in User Manuals 47090/197 and 47090/129 respectively, on
CD-ROM 46886/028.

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 OPERATION

Start PXI Studio 2

After setting up the hardware, start PXI Studio 2 (Start\All Programs\Aeroflex\PXI Studio 2).

Set up hardware configuration

Select Config\System Configuration to display the Hardware Configuration screen. This
shows that PXI Studio 2 has identified PXI modules in the chassis.

To allow PXI Studio 2 to operate with the new hardware, you can either click
Auto Configure System, which creates a definition that includes all Aeroflex PXI modules
within the system; or you can click Create Instrument, which lets you specify which
hardware to use.

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 OPERATION

For now, click Auto Configure System. PXI Studio 2 shows the logical instruments it has
created. In this example, SigSource1 consists of the 3050A and 3320; Digitizer1 is the 3070A
Digitizer.

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 OPERATION

View details of devices

Click View Details to see a summary of devices in the system:

Frequency standard
Set up the frequency standard after configuring the system.
Auto Configure System sets all devices in the system to use the same frequency standard,
which is External by default.
To set one of the devices as the frequency standard for the system, click Frequency Standard
and use the wizard to choose the appropriate device.

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 OPERATION

Set up the signal source

Select Instrument Control\Signal Source Front Panel to display the Signal Source plugin
screen.

• Set Carrier Frequency to 2 GHz (this is the default value)

• Set RF Level to 0.0 dBm.
• Set RF State to RF On
The Signal Source is now outputting 2 GHz CW at 0 dBm to RF IN on the 3070A Digitizer.

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 OPERATION

Set up the digitizer

Select Instrument Control\Digitizer Front Panel to display the Digitizer plugin screen.

Leave all digitizer settings at the default values for now; these are correct to allow the initial
display of the CW supplied by the signal source.
Click Start Capture to display the 2 GHz carrier, as shown above.

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 OPERATION

Frequency standard check

Check that the frequency standard is locked. When it is, ‘Locked’ is displayed in green at the
bottom right-hand side of the Signal Source or Digitizer screen:

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 OPERATION

Set up the arbitrary waveform generator

Select the Modulation tab on the SigSource screen:

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 OPERATION

Select Digital modulation mode.

Select a file from the Current ARB File box (these are files that are in the arbitrary waveform
generator’s memory)or look at the Arb catalog (View Arb Catalogue) for all files that are
available to be loaded into the arbitrary waveform generator’s memory.

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 OPERATION

Click the play button and adjust the span and level (Sweep tab) as appropriate to
display the waveform:

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 OPERATION

Viewing which options are fitted

You can view which options are currently fitted to the modules within the system.
Right-click on the logical instrument icons in the Hardware Configuration screen. Select
Enable/Disable Options from the drop-down list:

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 OPERATION

The Instrument Details screen is displayed:

This identifies details of individual instruments and shows which options are fitted.

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 OPERATION

Enabling or disabling options

View the options currently fitted to the module.
• Contact Aeroflex for an option password.
• In the Instrument Details screen, click on the relevant device: the title of the Options box
then displays the type of device.
• Enter the option password supplied by Aeroflex in the Options box.

• Click Enable or Disable. The option appears in, or is removed from, the instrument
details.
• Click Close.

Do not interrupt power to the module during this operation, which takes approximately 1 s.

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 BRIEF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Introduction
Fig. 6 shows a highly simplified block diagram of the 3070A.
For center frequencies of 350 to 6000 MHz, the 3070A operates as a single-conversion
superheterodyne receiver. For center frequencies of 250 to 350 MHz, the 3070A directly
samples the RF signal. Frequencies below 250 MHz are unconverted prior to sampling.
The RF path contains a switchable preamplifier and a RF attenuator control. In automatic
attenuation mode, these controls are selected according to the expected peak signal level. The
block diagram shows a simplified structure; in reality the RF design is broken into several
switched paths, which are presented to the user as a single preamplifier and attenuator control.
The broadband switches and attenuators used in the design are capable of extremely fast
switching. Note that these devices are susceptible to damage by low frequency signals, as
highlighted in 3070A RF input power handling.
The input signal is converted to an IF frequency in the range 50 to 380 MHz, depending on
carrier frequency. The IF frequency is reduced at lower center frequencies to improve
spurious rejection at the expense of bandwidth. The IF is sampled in the first or second
Nyquist zones of an ADC running at a fixed 400 MHz sample rate. The required user sample
rate is generated digitally within a FPGA. The captured data is saved to memory, with a
variety of triggering options.
Before the ADC, the signal is filtered with one of two anti-alias filters, depending on the
required Nyquist zone. The signal level is adjusted with an IF attenuator, which can be set
automatically or manually to optimize for noise or distortion in conjunction with the RF
attenuator.
The local oscillator is derived from an internal fast low-noise synthesizer (FLNS). This
synthesizer may be locked to its own internal OCXO or to an external reference. The ADC
clock is locked to the FLNS.

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 BRIEF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

For coherent LO applications, LO input and output connectors are provided. The local
oscillator can be output at the LO OUT connector. A local oscillator can be supplied, via the
LO IN connector, from another signal generator or 3070A module. Multiple 3070As can be
cascaded to form a multi-channel coherent receiver. A leveling loop is used to maintain a
well-controlled level at the mixer and LO OUT connector.

Fig. 6 3070A block diagram

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