RFT-3100 Series:
40 GHz Downconverter with Fixed IF
Feature Rich, Easily Configurable
No two applications are alike. So it follows that no one Microwave Tuner can fit all applications.
We understand this dynamic and have created the RFT-3100 Series of Downconverters, which draws from a wide range of user selectable, factory configurable features and options. Working together, we’ll specify a Tuner which is customized to your needs and fits the requirements of your application.
Features and Options
Tailoring and Configuration Choices for the RFT-3100 SERIES
Shown here are some choices for configuring your Tuner.
Users make selections in all these categories at the time of order.
RF INPUT
Configuration
Choices
| Models | Input Range |
| RFT-3170 | 0.5-18, 26, 40 GHz |
| RFT-3180 | 1.0-18, 26, 40 GHz |
| RFT-3190 | 1.5-18, 26, 40 GHz |
Primary Input. The Primary Input can be configured to span the basic range covering 1 to 18 GHz (0.5 to 18 GHz for RFT-3170), with possible extensions going down to 100 MHz or up as high as 26.5 GHz.
Secondary Input. The Secondary Input is typically used for millimeter inputs, ranging up to 26.5 or 40 GHz. The inputs can be configured with overlap. For instance, the Primary can go as high as 26.5 GHz and the Secondary can start as low as 18 GHz, enabling two sources with overlapping frequency ranges to be supported.
Input Attenuation. Either the Primary and/or the Secondary Input can be outfitted with a wide-ranging Step Attenuator. Typically these are specified with 10 dB steps and a range of 70 dB, but this can be tailored or customized at the time of order to the user’s needs.
IF OUTPUT
Configuration
Choices
| IF Outputs | |
| Wideband Output center frequencies | 1.0 GHz (-3170) 1.5 GHz (-3180) 1.5 GHz (-3190) |
| Optional Narrowband | 50-160 MHz Tunable IF Out, in 10 MHz Steps, 50 & 100 MHz select BWs |
Primary Output. The Primary Output freuqency is determined by the bandwidth of the Tuner, typically. However, a customized IF Output center frequency can be specified at the time of order, to suit the downstream input frequency requirements. Check with the factory for tailoring needs.
Secondary Output. A Secondary Output can be provided. Typically, this is a narrowband IF Output, to complement the Wideband IF Output used for the Primary Output. Our option SIF-001 is such a Narrowband option, providing a tunable output in the range from 50 to 160 MHz, in 10 MHz steps, and with output gain control with 20 dB in range.
Output Level Control. The Primary Output can also be provided with a Automatic Level Control. Our option -AGC enables the user to set the output within the range from 0 to -20 dBm, with AGC for inputs from -10 to -65 dBm.
BANDWIDTH
Choices
| Models | Bandwidth |
| Model RFT-3170 | 500 MHz |
| Model RFT-3180 | 1000 MHz |
| Model RFT-3190 | 2000 MHz |
Built for Wideband. Attempting to “scale up” a microwave tuner for greater and greater instantaneous bandwidth poses may problems to the converter designer. To overcome this, we have started with wideband applications in mind. Even with bandwidths to up 2 GHz, we are able to offer outstanding performance, with excellent phase noise, spurious, dynamic range and image performance.
Wideband apertures…..no worries.
Phase Noise
Details
Our standard Microwave RFT-Series Frequency Converters have excellent phase noise, as shown in the diagram.
With option -LN, improvements by as much as 20 dBc/Hz can be obtained, as well as stability within 0.1 ppm.
PHASE
COHERENT
Our Microwave RFT-Series Frequency Converters are available in a variety of phase-coherent configurations, supports such modes as “shared LO” and “Master/Slave”.
The phase coherent converters can also be configured for stand-alone or coherent operation, so as needs shift the equipment continues to meet user’s needs.
SEARCH
SWEEP/SCAN
OPTION -SWP
Our Microwave RFT-Series Frequency Converters can be configured to become Search and Scanning Tuners.
With option -SWP, the RFT-3100 Series downconverter adds features for high speed search. In this mode, the settling times are reduced to 600 uSec and a TTL hardware lines are brought out giving the user increased precision in the control for steps, sweeps, scanning and running Lists.
Controls for search can be set-up using SCPI commands, or the GUI, and the search execution can be either hardware or software controlled.
Housing
Options
Choose a chassis. Off-the-shelf choices include a:
- 19″ Rack Mount chassis (typically 1RU);
- Benchtop chassis that is 2U high and a 1/2 rack width across, or;
- Ruggedized chassis, such as our ATR/Half-ATR enclosure.
GUI and SCPI-based
Interfaces
All RFT-3100 Series Microwave Converters have a complete SCPI-based command-set accessible over a choice of Ethernet or Serial Ports.
GUI solutions are Browser-based and usable on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
Terminal Support
In addition to the Browser-based GUI, each RFT is equipped with a serial port and can support terminal communications.
SCPI-based commands are send and received, providing another human-readable user interface.
What’s at the Heart of Our Microwave Tuners and Downconverters?
Our World-Class Microwave Synthesizer, the DS-3000.
- Tunes to 20 GHz
- Steps in 1 Hz
- Switches as fast as 200 uSec
- Offers extremely low phase noise, with <-116 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz when tuned to 10 GHz
Need a Matching Upconverter?
Our RFT-4100 Series Upconverters match the RFT-3100 Series Downconverters with:
- Input/Output Frequencies
- Bandwidths
- Common Command-sets
Learn more here >>
Key Specifications
| Models | Input Range | Bandwidth | WB IF Out |
| RFT-3170 | 0.5-18, 26, 40 GHz | 500 MHz | 1 GHz |
| RFT-3180 | 1.0-18, 26, 40 GHz | 1000 MHz | 1.5 GHz |
| RFT-3190 | 1.5-18, 26, 40 GHz | 2000 MHz | 1.5 GHz |
| RF Input Ranges – Primary | |
| Input Range, RFT-3170 | 0.5-18 GHz |
| Input Range, RFT-3180 | 1.0-18 GHz |
| Input Range, RFT-3190 | 1.5-18 GHz |
| Optional Low Band extension | tunes down to 100 MHz |
| Tuning Speed | <2 msec standard, 600 usec with -SWP |
| Step Size | 10 kHz |
| RF Input Ranges – Secondary | |
| Millimeter Extension, option FXT-001 | 18-26.5 GHz |
| Millimeter Extension, option FXT-002 | 18-40 GHz |
| Input Port | 2.92 mm |
| IF Output – Primary Wideband Port | |
| IF Out, Center, RFT-3170 | 1 GHz (500 MHz BW) |
| IF Out, Center, RFT-3180 | 1.5 GHz (1000 MHz BW) |
| IF Out, Center, RFT-3190 | 1.5 GHz (2000 MHz BW) |
| Gain Adjustment | 10 to 30 dB, in 1 dB steps |
| IF Output – optional Secondary Port (SIF-001) | |
| IF Output Frequencies | 50-160 MHz, in 10 MHz steps |
| IF Output BW | 50 and 100 MHz |
| Gain Adjustment | 10 to 30 dB, in 1 dB steps |
| Transfer Characteristics | |
| Gain Adjustment | 10 to 30 dB, in 1 dB steps |
| Phase Noise | 0.5 degrees RMS |
| Noise Figure | <15 dB, typ |
| Spurious, internal | <-90 dBm, typ |
| Dynamic range, P1 dB | 85 dB, typ |
| SFDR (2nd & 3rd Order) | 60 dB, typ |
| General Characteristics | |
| Reference In/Out | 10 MHz |
| Reference Stability | <0.5 ppm standard, 0.1 ppm optional |
| Reference Int/Ext Select | Auto-sensing |
| Remote Access | Ethernet & RS-232 |
| Ethernet Modes | DHCP, Static |
| IP Configuration | Settable IP, Gateway, Mode |
| Addressing | MAC address monitorable |
| User Interfaces | SCPI, Web Browser |
Ordering Information
| Model | Name | |
| RFT-3170 | Base Unit, 500 MHz BW | Tuner, 0.5 to 18 GHz, 500 MHz BW |
| RFT-3180 | Base Unit, 1000 MHz BW | Tuner, 1.0 to 18 GHz, 1000 MHz BW |
| RFT-3190 | Base Unit, 2000 MHz BW | Tuner, 1.5 to 18 GHz, 2000 MHz BW |
| Options: Input Extensions | ||
| FXT-001 FXT-002 FXT-005 | For Primary or Secondary Input | Extends input to 26.5 GHz Extends input to 40.0 GHz Extends input down to 100 MHz |
| Options: Output Extensions | ||
| SIF-001 | add Narrowband secondary IF output | Tunable 50 – 160 MHz, with Selectable BW’s 50/100 MHz, 30 dB Gain |
| Other Factory Options | ||
| -ATT | Adds input attentuator | Up to 70 dB of input attenuation. Can be added to Primary and/or Secondary inputs |
| -LN | Improves Phase Noise | Up to 20 dB improvement in near-in phase noise, and increases stability to 0.1ppm |
| -INV | Inversion Toggle | Enables user to switch between inverted and upright output spectral sense |
| -SWP | Fast Step/Sweep/Search | Adds high speed tuning (600 uSec) with a dedicated trigger line and “all ready” TTL strobe |
| -AA | Anti-Aliasing | Adds anti-aliasing filter to IF Output |
| -M, -S | Master/Slave Option | Enables the converter to be used either as an independent, stand-alone converter, or paired into a Master/Slave configuration. |
| -C | Phase Coherent Option | Dual Converters with shared LO’s for Phase Coherent outputs |
| -2U | Benchtop Chassis | Utilizes Syntonic’s 2U High, 1/2 Rack Chassis |
| -AGC | Adds Output Level Control | Increases gain, converts Primary Output to ALC, adds Secondary Output with fixed gain |
Configure
Syntonic Microwave’s Wideband Tuner has been designed for a multi-purposed and multi-project workspace. Virtually every feature of the Tuner is customizable.
Configure yours in the form below to receive a quote.