Description

KC901Q 20GHz Handheld Network vector tester RF multimeter without built-in bridge sweeper sweep generator

The KC901Q is a vector sweeper. He is able to measure the amplitude and phase changes that occur after the signal passes through the device, while extending the spectrum, field strength, and signal generator functions, adding practicality to form a RF multimeter.

 

The KC901Q uses the basic architecture of the KC901x. However, the KC901Q does not have a built-in bridge. The basic function is the sweeper (providing amplitude and phase), which is significantly different from other instruments in the KC901 series.

 

The KC901Q can perform vector reflection measurements with an external bridge or directional coupler. The instrument has a built-in full-port calibration model that supports OSL calibration. Sweep measurements support response calibration (amplitude and phase).

 

*Main Features*

    20GHz frequency range

    1Hz frequency stepping

    Good accuracy and stability

    Double frequency conversion, strong anti-interference ability

    Rich in function and easy to carry

*Main function

    Sweep test (get amplitude difference, phase difference)

    Reflection test (external directional coupler required)

    Low frequency and RF signal sources**

    Spectrum display and field strength observation**

*Recommended application

    The KC901Q is mainly used to debug various RF circuits, such as filters, amplifiers, splitters, combiners, external directional couplers or standing wave bridges, to test the input and output impedance, and to evaluate the quality of the antenna system. With its receiver, it can also detect the signal amplitude of each level of the equipment, and perform field strength measurement and interference search in some frequency bands.

 

    KC901Q is a good tool for learning RF knowledge. In the professional field, it can be used in the fields of communication engineering, antenna manufacturing, and routine maintenance such as radar, microwave stations, satellite earth stations, and radio astronomy stations.

The following scenarios may not apply:

 

The spectrum and field strength functions are not suitable for measuring pulse and wideband signals (eg radar, WIFI, Bluetooth), frequency hopping signals. In some cases, qualitative observations can be completed by experienced engineers, but we cannot guarantee that every user can complete it.

 

Any test should not have strong interfering signals in the 109-110MHz range. Some broadcast transmitting stations have 109MHz spurs. If the antenna is measured near the transmitting station, it will affect the accuracy of the instrument.

 

* Please read the technical manual

 

** Informal features

*Working principle

The basic principle of the KC901Q is similar to other products in the KC901x family, but it does not have a built-in bridge.

 

The basic principle of the instrument is that the RF signal source produces a measurement signal, which is sampled from the instrument 1 port after being sampled by the forward splitter. After the measurement signal passes through the device under test, it is input from the instrument 2 port, detected by the receiver, and compared with the signal sample obtained from the 1 port.

 

The signal source is divided into three frequency bands: signals below 60MHz are generated by a direct digital synthesizer (DDS); signals above 60MHz and below 7GHz are generated by a phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer (PLL) and passed through an attenuator; The signal is multiplied and does not pass through the attenuator. The signals of the three frequency bands are gated through the RF switch and combined into one RF signal output.

 

The figure below is a block diagram of the KC901Q. The machine has two phase-locked loop frequency synthesizers with frequency dividers covering the range of 60MHz-15GHz. The circuit can work normally to 26.5 GHz until 30 GHz still has a weak output, but above 24 GHz, the indicator has rapidly deteriorated.

 

There are two receivers inside the instrument, and the local oscillator is provided by the same phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer. One of the receivers detects the output signal of port 1 through the internal circuitry of the instrument. The other receiver is connected to port 2 to detect external inputs. By comparing the amplitude and phase of the two receivers, the amplitude difference and phase difference between Port 1 and Port 2 can be obtained.

The instrument uses 7GHz as the breakpoint. Below 7GHz, the signal does not pass through the frequency multiplier and is output through the adjustable attenuator. The PLL outputs a signal of 3.5 GHz to 15 GHz, and a signal of 7-30 GHz is obtained by a frequency multiplier. Since the adjustable attenuator supporting 30 GHz is slightly more expensive, the application requirements of the integrated trade-off products have no built-in attenuators at frequencies above 7 GHz.

 

KC901Q uses secondary frequency conversion, the first intermediate frequency is 109.65MHz, and the second intermediate frequency is 350KHz. The second intermediate frequency is digitized by the synchronous sampling ADC and sent to the FPGA for subsequent digital processing.

 

The DDS in the machine can be directly output to form an audio signal source.

 

Since the KC901Q does not have a built-in bridge, an external directional device is required to measure the reflection parameters. An equal arm or unequal arm Wheatstone bridge can be used in the lower frequency band, and a directional coupler is preferred in the higher frequency band. Directional couplers can be made or purchased based on common frequency ranges. This type of coupler is inexpensive and reduces the cost of the package. The connection between the directional coupler and the instrument should be as short as possible, preferably with a semi-steel wire connection of no more than 20 cm in length.

The KC901Q does not have S11 factory calibration data due to the absence of a built-in bridge. After the external directional bridge is attached, calibration must be performed. If a bridge or coupler is often used, system calibration can be done for them for future use. If it is only a temporary measure, only user calibration can be performed. A disadvantage of user calibration is that once the frequency is changed, the calibration fails.

*Technical specifications

The basic technical specifications of the 901Q are as follows (the products may be slightly different in different periods):

project

Test Condition

parameter

Remarks

lowest

typical

highest

Frequency Range

Spectrum/transmission

Effective

9kHz

20GHz

Settable

0

30GHz

Frequency Range

(reflection)

Effective

Depending on the external orientation device in the 5kHz-20GHz range

Settable

5kHz

30GHz

Scanning range

SPAN

1KHz

29.99GHz

Scan points

450pt

3150pt

Local operation

Frequency resolution

All scanning functions

1Hz

Low frequency signal source

0.1Hz

Level resolution

0.01dB

Phase resolution

0.01°

Scanning speed

RBW=30KHz, every point

1.2ms

RBW=10KHz, every point

1.5ms

RBW=3KHz, every point

2.4ms

RBW=1KHz, every point

4ms

RBW=30K, 450pt per screen

0.6s

Output level

Scan mode

1MHz-7GHz

-10dBm

6dBm

10dB

7GHz-20GHz

-13dBm

0dBm

6dBm

 

20GHz-26GHz

-20dBm

-13dBm

-6dBm

No guarantee

Maximum output level

1MHz-7GHz signal source

3dBm

10dBm

13dBm

7GHz-20GHz signal source

-13dBm

0dBm

6dBm

Output attenuation

9kHz-7GHz

0dB

25dB

Note 2

Sensitivity

1MHz-7GHz

-101dBm

-107dBm

-113dBm

Port 2

RBW=1KHz

7GHz-15GHz

-98dBm

-104dBm

-110dBm

15GHz-22GHz

-95dBm

-101dBm

The available dynamic range of the transmission measurement

1MHz-1GHz

95dB

100dB

Equivalent to transceiver channel isolation

Note 3

1GHz-2GHz

85dB

90dB

2GHz-15GHz

70dB

15GHz-24GHz

60dB

24GHz-26.5GHz

40dB

Amplitude uncertainty of transmission measurement

1MHz-20GHz

After straight-through calibration, when the insertion loss is L<40dB

0.5+0.1L

Note 4

Zero offset drift of insertion loss

When the existing insertion loss of compensation is L<30dB, 1MHz-15GHz

0.1dB

Preheated for 5 minutes

Directional device directivity is better than 15dB, directionality after calibration

9kHz-7GHz

45dB

An external orientation device is required.

7GHz-15GHz

40dB

15GHz-20GHz

35dB

20GHz-26GHz

25dB