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Home » RFT-3200 Series Microwave Downconverters/Tuners

RFT-3200 Series Microwave Downconverters/Tuners

RFT-3200 Series Tuner/Downconverter

RFT-3200 Series:
Downconverter with Fully Agile IF


A Different Approach to Microwave Downconverters

Need more flexibility with your IF Output? Syntonic’s RFT-3200 Series gives the user complete control over the output frequency and bandwidth, power to optimize the IF for the ideal characteristics to get the best results out of digitizers, signal records and other downstream equipment. Total control to:

  • Tune to any Input Frequency up to 40 GHz
  • Tune to any IF Output Frequency from 50 to 2000 MHz
  • Select BW from 6 choices up to 2 GHz
image of Syntonic Microwave's RFT-3170 Converter and Tuner


Features and Options

RFT-3280 Shown Here with Configuration Options

configuration figure for the 3280 downconverter

RFT-3200 Series: Microwave Downconverter with Agile IF

Set-up is as simple as:

1

Tune to any RF Input
up to 40 GHz

2

Tune to any IF Output
up to 2 GHz

3

Select any BW
from 50 to 2000 MHz

RF INPUT
Configuration
Choices

RF Input
Primary Input
choose one
1.0-18 GHz
1.0-26.5 GHz
Secondary Input
options
18-26.5, 26.5-40,
18-40 GHz
Low Input option tune down to 100 MHz

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
IF Output center frequencies 50-2000 MHz,
tunable in 10 kHz steps
Selectable BWs
(3 dB BW)
RFT-3280: 1000, 500, 200,
100 and 50 MHz
RFT-3290: 2000, 1000, 500, 200,
100 and 50 MHz
Level Control 10-30 dB Gain, 1 dB steps
AGC Option 0 to -20dBm, with input  -10 to -65 dBm

Agile IF Output. The Primary Output is tunable by the user, covering a range from 50 to 2000 MHz in 10 kHz steps. The minimum recommended tuning frequency varies by what Bandwidth setting the user has applied.  The frequency agility gives the user total control of the IF, so that an optimize spectrum can be delivered to downstream equipment, such as a digitizer.

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-3280 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz
Model RFT-3290 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz
image showing bandwidth filtering for the RFT-3280 Downconverter
Shown here with BWs of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz

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.

chart showing excellent phase noise in RFT-Series Frequency Converters
Shown here with Standard Phase Noise profile

PHASE
COHERENT

rft-series frequency converters in master/slave configuration

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.

All-in-One upconverter configuration
Master/Slave Tuner configuration

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-3200 Series downconverter adds a List Mode for preset sweeping/scanning routines. In this mode, the tuning speed increases to 200 uSec and a TTL trigger line is brought to the rear panel.

Triggered pulses can be used to enable auto-scanning or single, user-actuated individual steps. Controls for search can be implemented using SCPI commands or the GUI.

sweep/scan gui interface

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.
RFT-4200 Series Upconverter Housing Options

GUI and SCPI-based
Interfaces

All RFT-3200 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.

screenshot of the terminal window

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
DS-3000 microwave synthesizer

Key Specifications

Models
RFT-3280 BW’s: 1000, 500, 200, 100, and 50 MHz
RFT-3290 BW’s: 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, and 50 MHz
RF Inputs
Primary Input
choose one
1.0-18.0 GHz
1.0-26.5 GHz
Optional Secondary Input 18-26.5 GHz
26.5-40 GHz
18-40 GHz
Optional Low Band Input tunes down to 100 MHz
Tuning Step Size 10 kHz
Tuning Speed 2 ms
IF Outputs
IF Output Tuning Range 50-2000 MHz
IF Tuning step size 10 kHz steps
Selectable BWs
(3 dB BW)
RFT-3280:
1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz
RFT-3290:
2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz
Gain 10-30 dB, 1dB Steps
  with optional AGC 0 to -20 dBm, with input range -10 to -65 dBm
LOs And Reference
System Phase Noise, typ <0.5 deg RMS,  100 Hz to 10 MHz
Frequency accuracy, internal reference 0.5 ppm or better
External Reference Input 10 MHz, 0 dBm +/-3 dB
System Reference Auto sensing, locks to external if present
Reference Output 10 MHz, synchronous with reference in use
Power 90-240 VAC, Auto sensing
<40W typ, 1-18 GHz Model
General
Basic Control Front Panel
Remote Ports via RS-232 & Ethernet
Control Methods SCPI-based command set
Browser-based GUI
Controlled Parameters Input Frequency
Output Frequency
Bandwidth
Gain Setting
IP Settings

Ordering Information


Model Name
RFT-3280 Base Unit, 1000 MHz max BW Tuner, 1.0 to 18 GHz
RFT-3290 Base Unit, 2000 MHz max BW Tuner, 1.0 to 18 GHz
Options: Input Extensions
FXT-001
FXT-002
FXT-005
For Primary or Secondary Input Extends input to 26.5 GHz
Extends input to 40 GHz
Extends input down to 100 MHz
Other Factory Options
-ATT Adds input attentuator Up to 70 dB of input attenuation. Can be added to Primary or Secondary inputs, or both
-LN Improves Phase Noise Up to 20 dB improvement in near-in phase noise, and increases stability to 0.1ppm
-SWP Fast Step/Sweep/Search Adds high speed tuning (200 uSec) with a dedicated trigger line to enable fast stepping scanning routine. Includes AUX connector on rear panel. Includes “all ready” TTL strobe indicating a settled state.
-M, -S Master/Slave Option Enables 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.

  • The RFT-3200 Series of downconverters is comprised of Models that differ based on the number and bandwidths available. Choices are as follows:
  • SET PRIMARY INPUT FREQUENCY
    Choose the microwave input range needed for this configuration. Frequency range shown here represents the valid input center frequencies that can be user entered. Extensions down to 100 MHz have reduced maximum bandwidth of 100 MHz.
  • Choose multiple fields as needed
  • SET SECONDARY INPUT FREQUENCY
    Choose the microwave/millimeter input range needed for this configuration. Frequency range shown represents the valid input center frequencies that can be user entered. This RF Input uses a 2.92mm connector.
  • PLATFORM OPTIONS
    Choose either the 1RU Rack Mount or ½ Rack 2R Package.
  • OTHER OPTIONS :
    Choose from these options:
  • PHASE COHERENT OPTIONS
    Our microwave converters are offered with phase coherent options. Choose from these configuration options:
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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