Group SD0709
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Contents |
RF Learning Modules
Group Members
Group Members: Mohamed Ahmed, Ravi Mahana, Matthew Morrison
Project Description
Develop a comprehensive user-friendly collection of Radio Frequency network analyzer projects to use with the new Ten Tec Model 6000 Vector Network Analyzer. This is a PC-based system that measures the scattering parameters of radio frequency (RF) circuits. Additionally, incorporate the SDR-14 Spectrum Analyzer into more specialized RF studies. The projects will form the basis of a professional development course for practicing engineers.
Requirements Capture
The follwing lists all the requirements on which our senior design project was formed. The specific modules are numbered in order of preferred completion:
1. Incorporate Ten-Tec Model 6000 Vector Network Analyzer into design course as foundation for a comprehensive collection of radio frequency network analyzer projects. The projects will then form the basis of a professional development course for practicing engineers. Additional testing and comparisons with the RFSPACE SDR-14 Software Defined Receiver & Spectrum Analyzer will also be applied.
2. Document each module and organize in an way to be replicated by future students.
3. Design a functional portable analysis station for field measurements. Station should include laptop, VNA, portable power source, and spectrum analyzer if compatible.
4. Module 1: Installation & Calibration of VNA.
5. Module 2: Transmission line construction and subsequent S-parameter measurements using VNA, implement socket for circuit component studies, PCB design
6. Module 3: Filter designs and studies using VNA, include PCB design of a specific filter.
7. Module 4: Construct and test RF Oscillator using VNA, according to QST Hands-On Radio article.
8. Module 5: Installation & Calibration of Spectrum Analyzer.
9. Module 6: Comparison of VNA vs. Spectrum Analyzer capabilities.
10. Module 7: Field test of portable VNA RF station, preferably measure S-parameters of appropriate antenna.
11. Module 8: Field test of portable Spectrum Analyzer RF station, preferably measure signal detection in the field.
Our entire requirement capture document include block diagrams, advisor requirements, and further guidelines can be found here
Device Overviews
VNA
TAPR Vector Network Analyzer Model 6000
Acts as a transmission-reflection test set. Able to measure ½ of S parameters at a time, default switch set to measure
• S21 Magnitude: gain or loss of two-port network from input to output
• S21 Phase: the transfer phase of two-port network from input to output
• S11 Magnitude: return loss of one-port or two-port network referenced to input of the network
• S11 Phase: the phase angle of return loss of one-port or two-port network referenced to input of network
VNA and PC software capabilities
• Test low power amplifiers, characteristics of coax cables, measure and adjust filter
• Check antenna impedance vs. frequency, antenna SWR, measure the length of transmission lines using Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR)
• Measures forward/reverse gain and phase response of a circuit. Also measures input and output reflection (complex impedance) and provides S parameters
VNA Operation
Spectrum Analyzer
RFSpace SDR-14 Software Reciever and Spectrum Analyzer
Acts as a 14-bit software defined radio receiver, also offers a broad range of spectrum analyzer capabilities.
VNA and PC software capabilities
• Wide band weak signal measurement
• Antenna noise measurements
• General monitoring of signals in up to 30MHz wide bandwidths
• Amateur radio monitoring
• Record band segments of any band to hard drive in real time
SDR-14 Operation
RF Station Design
The Image below describes the station we designed to perform the necessary RF studies we were interested in:
Module Listing
The following documents are the final eight modules we designed. Our design group feels these modules represent a large area of Radio Frequency studies. Future engineering students will learn several practical concepts through these experiments and the operation of each of our devices:
- VNA Intro
- Electrical Component VNA Testing
- Filter Design and VNA Test
- Oscillator PCB Construction and VNA Testing
- SDR-14 Intro
- NDSU Antenna VNA Tests
- SDR-14 Field Observations
- VNA, SDR-14 Comparison and Unique Design
Module Results
The following documents contain the results for each of the experiments we proposed. A short description of the areas of RF studies associated with each module is aslo included for each result:
