DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B

The DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B device driver is a Amplifier, Coupler, Power Meter, Antenna, Antenna Tower which is supported by RadiMation^®.  

Configuration

The following tabs are available in the advanced configuration of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B:

The frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B as provided by the manufacturer is shown and selected as default. It is possible to overrule these frequencies and to manual adjust the allowed frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B.

Use default start frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default start frequency will be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom start frequency

If the Use default start frequency checkbox is unchecked, another start frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized start frequency will then be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default start frequency.

Use default stop frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default stop frequency will be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom stop frequency

If the Use default stop frequency checkbox is unchecked, another stop frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized stop frequency will then be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default stop frequency.

Specifying a different frequency range can be useful if for example:

• A device (like a coupler, antenna, injection device, cable, etc...) is still useable (but out of specification) outside the standard suggested frequency range.
• An external mixer is used to measure an extended frequency range.
• An up- or down-convertor is used to shift the frequency range.
• A newer model of a device is present that has an extended frequency range, and still uses the same remote control commands.

Be careful changing these setting as RadiMation^® is no longer able to verify if the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is used outside frequency range that is specified by the manufacturer. This may result to serious damage of your measurement device. 

Configuration

The following tabs are available in the advanced configuration of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B:

The frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B as provided by the manufacturer is shown and selected as default. It is possible to overrule these frequencies and to manual adjust the allowed frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B.

Use default start frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default start frequency will be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom start frequency

If the Use default start frequency checkbox is unchecked, another start frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized start frequency will then be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default start frequency.

Use default stop frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default stop frequency will be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom stop frequency

If the Use default stop frequency checkbox is unchecked, another stop frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized stop frequency will then be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default stop frequency.

Specifying a different frequency range can be useful if for example:

• A device (like a coupler, antenna, injection device, cable, etc...) is still useable (but out of specification) outside the standard suggested frequency range.
• An external mixer is used to measure an extended frequency range.
• An up- or down-convertor is used to shift the frequency range.
• A newer model of a device is present that has an extended frequency range, and still uses the same remote control commands.

Be careful changing these setting as RadiMation^® is no longer able to verify if the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is used outside frequency range that is specified by the manufacturer. This may result to serious damage of your measurement device. 

Configuration

The following tabs are available in the advanced configuration of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B:

Pre Wait Time

Wait time before starting the measurement-loop. Can be used to wait for a signal generator, and or amplifier to stabilize.

Measure

The minimum amount of measurements in the measure loop. Continues to loop even if power level is stable.

Wait Time

The wait time between each measurement is taken, during the measurement-loop.

Max. Difference

If the measured power between each measurement in the measurement-loop, is less than this value. The measured power is stable. The measurement-loop will then stop.

Max. Measure

The maximum amount of measure times, for the measurement-loop

According to these settings, RadiMation^® will perform a minimum of 3 power measurements with a wait time between the measurements of 75ms. If all those 3 measurements are within 0.1 dB, the power measurement is assumed to be stable, and RadiMation^® will continue to average of the last 3 measurements. If the difference between the measurements is larger than the specified 0.1 dB, an additional power measurement will be performed, and the last 3 samples will be compared to the 0.1 dB difference again. At most 10 measurements will be performed if the difference between the 3 samples will not be within the specified 0.1 dB.

Both for the leveling, and the monitoring these settings can be set individually. The leveling is used, whenever RadiMation^® is measuring the power, to regulate the signal generator. If the powermeter is only used as input, without regulating on it, then the monitoring settings are used.

More detailed information on how to achieve a fast and stable power measurement is available in Application Note 106: Powermeter parameter configuration.

The frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B as provided by the manufacturer is shown and selected as default. It is possible to overrule these frequencies and to manual adjust the allowed frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B.

Use default start frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default start frequency will be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom start frequency

If the Use default start frequency checkbox is unchecked, another start frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized start frequency will then be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default start frequency.

Use default stop frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default stop frequency will be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom stop frequency

If the Use default stop frequency checkbox is unchecked, another stop frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized stop frequency will then be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default stop frequency.

Specifying a different frequency range can be useful if for example:

• A device (like a coupler, antenna, injection device, cable, etc...) is still useable (but out of specification) outside the standard suggested frequency range.
• An external mixer is used to measure an extended frequency range.
• An up- or down-convertor is used to shift the frequency range.
• A newer model of a device is present that has an extended frequency range, and still uses the same remote control commands.

Be careful changing these setting as RadiMation^® is no longer able to verify if the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is used outside frequency range that is specified by the manufacturer. This may result to serious damage of your measurement device.

The settings on the Reference tab influence the measurement frequency that is communicated to the measurement device. The frequency that is forwarded to the measurement device can for example be used by the device to perform the measurement on the correct frequency, or use the correct internal frequency dependant correction or calibration factor on the measurement result. Normally it is desired that the measurement frequency is the same as the carrier frequency of the signal generator. In some situations it can however be required to communicate a different frequency to the measurement device. In such a situation the settings on the Reference tab can be modified.

Signal generator frequency

Selects that the actual carrier frequency of the signal generator is communicated to the measurement device. This is the default behaviour.

Fixed reference frequency

Selects that a fixed frequency (independent of the signal generator carrier frequency) is communicated to the measurement device.

Signal generator frequency offset

An additional offset frequency specified in MHz, that is added to frequency that is communicated to the measurement device. This value can be positive or negative, and defaults to 0.0 MHz.

Specific reference frequency

The fixed reference frequency specified in MHz that is communicated to the measurement device, when the Fixed reference frequency option is selected.

Warning:

When a different reference frequency is specified and communicated to the measurement device, it is only relevant for the measurement device. A correction file that is attached to the device driver in RadiMation® will still use the correction value that is specified for the actual signal generator carrier frequency.

 

Configuration

The following tabs are available in the advanced configuration of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B:

The frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B as provided by the manufacturer is shown and selected as default. It is possible to overrule these frequencies and to manual adjust the allowed frequency range of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B.

Use default start frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default start frequency will be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom start frequency

If the Use default start frequency checkbox is unchecked, another start frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized start frequency will then be used as the lowest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default start frequency.

Use default stop frequency

If the checkbox is checked, the default stop frequency will be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device.

Custom stop frequency

If the Use default stop frequency checkbox is unchecked, another stop frequency (expressed in MHz) can be specified. The customized stop frequency will then be used as the highest usable frequency in a test for this device. The customized frequency can be a limitation or an extension of the default stop frequency.

Specifying a different frequency range can be useful if for example:

• A device (like a coupler, antenna, injection device, cable, etc...) is still useable (but out of specification) outside the standard suggested frequency range.
• An external mixer is used to measure an extended frequency range.
• An up- or down-convertor is used to shift the frequency range.
• A newer model of a device is present that has an extended frequency range, and still uses the same remote control commands.

Be careful changing these setting as RadiMation^® is no longer able to verify if the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is used outside frequency range that is specified by the manufacturer. This may result to serious damage of your measurement device.

Note:

The antenna efficiency factor is only applicable to reverberation chamber testing.

Efficiency

The antenna efficiency factor of the antenna.

The antenna efficiency factor is assumed (if not known) to be 0.75 for a log periodic antenna and 0.9 for a horn antenna. It is a unitless factor with values between 1.00 and 0.00. The antenna efficiency factor is a single fixed value which is used for all the frequencies of the antenna. Values smaller than 0.00 or larger than 1.00 are not allowed and the configuration dialog of the antenna cannot be closed if an invalid value is specified.

An antenna efficiency correction factor can also be selected in the device driver settings dialog in RadiMation^®. That correction file contains a value that is a correction that is added on top of the value from the device driver. Negative values down to -1.0 are also allowed as it is a correction on the single fixed value from the antenna driver, and it allows to correct that single fixed value to a lower value. The combination of the single fixed antenna efficiency value from the antenna driver, and the added correction value from the selected correction file, should be between 1.0 and 0.0. If this combined value is invalid for one or more frequencies a specific error is shown during the initialisation of the test. 

On the Communication tab, the desired communication method can be selected and configured. Depending on the selected method, additional relevant settings are shown and can be configured.

Communication Streams

Selects the medium or method that should be used to communicate with the device. Depending on the capabilities of the device this can be one or more of: GPIB RS-232 USB VISA TCPIP See the Communication Settings in Chapter 15, on how to configure each of these methods.

On the Identification tab, the expected *IDN? response of the test and measurement device can be configured. It is used to determine if the correct test and measurement device is connected.

Expected response

The expected *IDN? response of a device. It can be changed in the case the commands are the same for another device for which no RadiMation® driver is available yet.

Restore default

Restores the original Exepected response.

There are several methods in which the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B can be connected to the PC. The DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B can for example be connected directly to the PC, or through a plugincard in a RadiCentre 1 or a multi-slot RadiCentre. More information on how to use the RadiCentre is present in the product manual of the RadiCentre. The settings on the RadiCentre tab can be used to specify how the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected.

When the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected to a multi-slot RadiCentre, also the slot number in which the plugincard is fitted, should be specified.

Directly to PC

Specifies that the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected directly to the PC, without the use of a RadiCentre.

RadiCentre 1

Specifies that the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected to a plugincard that is fitted in a RadiCentre 1.

RadiCentre multi-slot

Specifies that the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected to a plugincard that is fitted in a multi-slot RadiCentre that also can be manually controlled using the display on the front of the RadiCentre. The slot number in which the plugin card is mounted can also be selected.

RadiCentre multi-slot Ultra

Specifies that the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is connected to a plugincard that is fitted in a multi-slot RadiCentre Ultra. This RadiCentre Ultra has no display, and can only be used when remote controlled.

The settings on this RadiCentre tab, only specifies if and which RadiCentre is used. The communication settings on the Communication tab specify the connection settings to communication with the measurement device.

The configuration on the Communication tab should be configured depending on the outgoing connection from the PC. Thus if Directly to PC is selected, the communication settings should be configured as what is actually used between the PC and the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B itself. If RadiCentre 1, RadiCentre multi-slot or RadiCentre multi-slot Ultra is selected, the communication settings should be configured as what is actually used between the PC and the RadiCentre. In the configuration where a RadiPower is connected with USB to a multi-slot RadiCentre, which is connected by GPIB to the PC, the communication settings of the RadiPower device driver should thus be GPIB.

If the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B is for example connected to slot 3 of a multi-slot RadiCentre which has IP address 192.168.178.95 and is connected by LAN to the PC, the following settings should be configured in the device driver of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B:

• RadiCentre tab
  • Connection type: RadiCentre multi-slot, using as slot number: 3
• Communication tab
  • Communication Stream: VISA
  • LAN: 192.168.178.95

The Software update tab can be used to update the software of the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B.

Software

Specifies the filename of the software update file that should be used to update the software of the measurement device.

Browse

Allows to select the software update file.

Update software

Starts the actual software update. First some checks are performed, and if those checks are successful, the actual software update is performed.

Status

Shows a message during the software update, indicating the performed action and the actual status.

Warning:

The software update can take a few minutes. During the actual software update the window is disabled, and cannot be closed. It is possible that Microsoft Windows shows messages that the RadiMation® software is not responding. Ignore those messages and do not kill, abort or end the software. Also do not disconnect the connection between the DARE!! Instruments RadiField RFS2003B and the PC, while the software update is being performed.

After the software update is completed, a messagebox will be shown that the software update has been completed succesfully. In the case that an error has occured, this will also be shown. In case that an error has been detected, it is strongly suggested to directly use the RadiMation^® Error Report function to report the error to Raditeq.

Decibel

Personal Computer

Universal Serial Bus: A modern serially controlled communication system, found on all new PC's

General Purpose Industrial Bus: A communication system used to 'remote control' test and measurement equipment.