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
Features and Options
RFT-3280 Shown Here with Configuration Options
RFT-3200 Series: Microwave Downconverter with Agile IF
Set-up is as simple as:
Tune to any RF Input
up to 40 GHz
Tune to any IF Output
up to 2 GHz
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 |
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-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.
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-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.
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
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.