Abstract: A high speed receiver is provided using two parallel processing paths to enable rapid variable gain control. The parallel processing paths include a first processing path using a high resolution Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), and a second processing path using a reduced DFT requiring fewer samples than the high resolution DFT. An initial sample of the data is processed using the second processing path with the reduced DFT by comparing a Fourier transform of the initial sample with predetermined threshold values. As a result of the comparison of the Fourier transform of the initial sample with the predetermined threshold values, a gain determination block determines whether a requirement exists for gain ranging. If gain ranging is needed, the gain of the data signal is adjusted and the gain ranging process repeats.

Abstract: A distance to PIM measurement circuit is made using a device such as an AWS transceiver that has separate transmit and receive bands. With a typical AWS transceiver placed in close proximity to a PCS transceiver, the AWS device will include a band reject filter to eliminate interference from the PCS signals. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources F1 and F2 that are provided through a combiner for characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using an offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. To avoid frequencies blocked by the band reject filter, a desired harmonic of a test PIM harmonic signal is selected outside the band of the band reject filter.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer that provides from below 9 kHz to above 20 GHz operation range while remaining hand-held. The spectrum analyzer includes an integrated precision stand-alone step attenuator that does not rely on printed circuit board (PCB) mounted circuit elements within the signal path. Further, a PIN diplexing switch separates signals into different base-band and highband paths. The baseband path includes a pre-amplifier for low frequency signals, while the higher frequency bands may not necessarily include a pre-amplifier. The highband path incorporates multi-throw MMIC PIN diode switches to selectively filter different bands of input signals.

Abstract: A vector network analyzer (VNA) in accordance with the present invention for measuring a frequency response of a device under test (DUT) includes a signal source, a port, a signal path connecting the port and the signal source, and a reflectometer receiver that when activated taps onto the signal path within a primary frequency range. The port is adapted to be electrically connected with the DUT while disconnected from a frequency-extension module or electrically connected to the DUT with the frequency-extension module serially connected between the port and the DUT. When the port is electrically connected with the DUT and electrically disconnected from the frequency-extension module, the reflectometer receiver is active so that the frequency response of the DUT is measureable within the primary frequency range using the reflectometer receiver and the signal source.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing dynamic spur avoidance in a high speed receiver environment is provided. For a plurality of radio frequency (RF) input signal ranges, a range of intermediate frequency (IF) signals and a noise floor for each IF signal is determined. An identification of spurs that will affect the noise floor is also determined from a look up table for each range of the RF inputs. A frequency plan that sets local oscillator and constituent oscillator signals is selected such that the IF signals generated from the RF input will avoid lower order spurious responses of the identified spurs within the IF signal range.

Abstract: The quality of the signal from a base station is measured and adjusted for distortion due to multipath and due to signals from neighboring co-channel base stations. The signal quality is measured conventionally by determining Rho or EVM and then Rho or EVM are adjusted.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer is provided that includes components to achieve from below 9 kHz to above 20 GHz operation range while remaining hand-held. Components of the spectrum analyzer include an integrated precision stand-alone step attenuator that does not rely on printed circuit board (PCB) mounted circuit elements within the signal path. Further, a PIN diplexing switch separates signals into different base-band and highband paths. The baseband path includes a pre-amplifier for low frequency signals, while the higher frequency bands may not necessarily include a pre-amplifier. The baseband path further provides improved broadband termination of its 1st mixer IF port by incorporating a new quadrature-coupled directional (QCD) filter that includes a ring resonator. An inexpensive air dielectric multi-cavity baseband filter is also used to suppress 2nd mixer IF images. The highband path incorporates multi-throw MMIC PIN diode switches to selectively filter different bands of input signals.

Abstract: A Pseudo Random Bit Sequence (PRBS) generator is provided with components to enable operation at very high microwave frequencies with inexpensive components. The PRBS generator initially replaces the D flip-flops of a conventional PRBS generator with delay lines connected in a similar manner. Further, an exclusive OR (EXOR) gate used in a conventional device is replaced in one embodiment by a mixer and amplifier. In another embodiment, the EXOR gate is replaced by a Gilbert Cell. In some embodiments, complementary outputs of an EXOR gate are connected to separate delay lines to reduce components needed for the PRBS generator.

Abstract: An enhanced programmable automatic level control loop comprising an input for receiving an input RF signal; a level modulator, wherein the level modulator receives the input RF signal and a control signal and wherein the level modulator produces a first signal; a mixer that receives the first signal and mixes it with an LO signal to produce a second signal; a programmable attenuator that receives the second signal and produces an output signal; a level detector that monitors RF power of the output signal and produces a DC voltage proportional to the RF power; and wherein the DC voltage is received at a loop amplifier which produces the control signal.

Abstract: A system is provided using one or more shocklines or non-linear transmission lines (NLTLs) to extend the bandwidth of an RF signal source. Extension of the RF bandwidth is achieved by means of multiplexing as well as frequency scaling. Frequency scaling tailors the performance of each NLTL for operation in a particular output frequency band(s) by adjusting the varactor spacing in the NLTL. Multiplexing amalgamates the output frequency bands of one or more NLTLs, thus resulting in a broad output frequency range.

Abstract: A high-frequency VNA system is provided using non-linear transmission line (NLTL or shockline) based samplers configured to provide scalable operation characteristics. Scaling to adjust noise performance vs. frequency is accomplished as follows: (1) increasing or decreasing the fall time of a shockline's output voltage waveform. This is accomplished by changing the number of Schottky varactors in a shockline, as well as changing the shockline's Bragg cutoff frequency by setting the spacing between Schottky varactors; (2) changing the structure of the pulse-forming network connected with the sampler by changing the length of the differentiator arms in the sampler pulse-forming network; and (3) changing the LO signal frequency applied to the shockline. Multiple NLTL based samplers are multiplexed to form a broadband reflectometer with the multiplexing circuitry selectively connecting one of the NLTL based sampler segments at a time to allow user selection of a desired performance vs.

Abstract: A portable frequency synthesizer is provided with fine tuning over a broad bandwidth using a Fractional N type Delta Sum Phase Locked Loop circuit that enables elimination of boundary value spurs. In the system, frequencies where spurs occur are calculated to define a region of fractional N values that cannot be used with a first time base. To avoid the boundary spurs, a second time base reference is selected that can generate boundary spurs that do not overlap with the first time base. Circuitry is provided to select the appropriate time base and the fractional N values to generate desired output frequencies throughout the synthesizer range while avoiding the boundary spurs.

Abstract: A PIM measurement circuit enables making forward and reverse PIM measurements on any 1 port (reflection) or 2 port (transmission) device with the ability to determine in distance where individual PIM impairments are located as well as their magnitude. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources that are provided through a combiner for a CW characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a saw tooth offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. With downconversion and processing of signals from the PIM impairments, the FM signal provides a frequency variation that is converted using a Fourier transform or spectrum analysis for separation of frequencies, enabling determination of the distance of the PIM sources as well as their magnitudes.

Abstract: A system to extend an operating bandwidth of a signal generator comprises a signal generator, an output port, a first transmission line extending between the signal generator and the output port, a mixer adapted to receive a first signal from the signal generator, a local oscillator adapted to provide a second signal to the mixer to beat against the first signal, a second transmission line extending from the mixer to transmit a plurality of output signals of the mixer, and one or more channels couplable between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The one or more channels include a first coupler having a length adapted to couple one or more of the output signals within a band of frequencies from the second transmission line to the channel, a second coupler having a length adapted to couple the one or more of the output signals from the channel to the first transmission line, and a filter arranged between the first coupler and the second coupler.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of base station and network infrastructure maintenance. One embodiment is a method, comprising: collecting base transceiver station performance data into a performance analysis and data collection application; transmitting the base transceiver station performance data wirelessly to a mobile application on a mobile device; and uploading the base transceiver station performance data from the mobile application on the mobile device wirelessly over an internet through a mobile network into a web application. One embodiment is a system, comprising: a base station analyzer for measuring base transceiver station performance, wherein the base station analyzer has wireless access to a mobile application on a mobile device; and the mobile application on the mobile device, wherein the mobile application on the mobile device has wireless access through the internet across a mobile network to a web application.

Abstract: A portable hand-held battery powered eye pattern analyzer is provided that can analyze signal quality of a high speed digital communication network. The system is 10 times smaller in volume and 4 times lighter than the bench-top equivalent instruments. The system includes a housing containing a display, keypad, power supply, battery pack, and RF sampler board along with connections for electrical inputs, optical inputs, clock signal inputs, and clock recovery signal inputs. The sampler circuit board can support connections, such as a USB plug for attachment to a personal computer. The RF sampler board contains the following elements: (1) A dual sampler for two-channel electrical inputs. (2) An Optical-to-Electrical O/E conversion module. (3) A clock recovery unit (CRU) module to recover the clock from the electrical or optical pulse pattern signal. (4) A trigger circuit that accepts an input clock and uses that clock to trigger the sampling of the data signal.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing dynamic spur avoidance in a high speed receiver environment is provided. For a plurality of radio frequency (RF) input signal ranges, a range of intermediate frequency (IF) signals and a noise floor for each IF signal is determined. An identification of spurs that will affect the noise floor is also determined from a look up table for each range of the RF inputs. A frequency plan that sets local oscillator and constituent oscillator signals is selected such that the IF signals generated from the RF input will avoid lower order spurious responses of the identified spurs within the IF signal range.

Abstract: A calibration module, for use in calibrating a VNA, includes ports connectable to the VNA, calibration standards, and single pole multi throw (SPMT) switches. Each SPMT includes a single pole terminal, multiple throw terminals and a shunt terminal corresponding to each multiple throw terminal. A switching path is between each throw terminal and the single pole terminal, and between each shunt terminal and the single pole terminal. Each switching path includes at least one solid state switching element. The calibration standards are selectively connectable to the ports of the calibration module by selectively controlling the switching elements. Each port of the calibration module is directly connected to a throw terminal of one of the SPMT switches. Also, unique algorithm are provided for calibrating a VNA when using a calibration impedance that is a hybrid of a reflect standard and a transmission standard, which can be achieved using the calibration module.

Abstract: A high speed receiver is provided using two parallel processing paths to enable rapid variable gain control. The parallel processing paths include a first processing path using a high resolution Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), and a second processing path using a reduced DFT requiring fewer samples than the high resolution DFT. An initial sample of the data is processed using the second processing path with the reduced DFT by comparing a Fourier transform of the initial sample with predetermined threshold values. As a result of the comparison of the Fourier transform of the initial sample with the predetermined threshold values, a gain determination block determines whether a requirement exists for gain ranging. If gain ranging is needed, the gain of the data signal is adjusted and the gain ranging process repeats.

Abstract: A small light-weight battery operated calibrator device provides a precise sine wave output for use in calibration of test equipment, such as a RF Power Meter or a Spectrum Analyzer. The calibration device includes two power levels, one ?40 dBm and one 0 dBm. The purpose of the two power levels is to obtain a slope and offset for correction of the RF power measuring device being calibrated. Operation indication LED lights are provided to indicate which of the two powers are in use, and if battery power is below acceptable levels. Miniature low power components including a crystal oscillator and a divide by 2 integrated circuit that generates a precise square wave and a low pass filter for converting the square wave into a precise sine wave allows the calibrator to be battery operated and stored as a calibration component.