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Today’s high-band signal standards are using higher frequencies and wider bandwidths than ever before for applications such as next generation 5G wireless services, satellite communications, electronic warfare, and more.
The RF Downconverter A-27-Series models meet these new signal standards featuring breakthrough input frequency and bandwidth coverage for their size. Their width and length is less than a sheet of paper, weighing only 2.7 kg (6 lbs.) and consuming only 19 to 25 W of power.
Two RF frequency input range models up to a maximum of 27 GHz with up to 160 MHz bandwidth are available to cover a wide range of radio spectrum bands for a variety of applications that can be captured for real-time analysis or signal recordings when combined with high-speed GaGe Digitizers.
Multi-channel RF systems are constructed by distributing a common external 10 MHz reference clock source to the instruments, as well as a common supplied external trigger source, for synchronized operations.
SpectraScopeRT, a Windows based spectrum analyzer application, allows for integrated operational control of both the RF Downconverter receiver and the Digitizer for signal capture, analysis, and recordings with no programming required.
Analysis displays include IQ Time Domain, Frequency Domain, I Spectrum, IQ Power Spectrum, Constellation Plot, Spectrogram Plot, Persistence Plot, and Histogram Plot. Other capabilities include frequency domain triggering, and signal averaging, with many cursor and display options.
Complete integrated turnkey systems are available in ultra-portable, portable, desktop and rackmount form factors with scalable storage solutions up to 368 TB for hours of high-speed real-time signal recordings. As COTS-based open architecture systems, component items are also future upgradeable and compatible with other 3rd party items and software.
Contact us to configure a custom system tailored for your application requirements.
| Radio Band Designation Standards & RF Downconverter Coverage | |||
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| Downconverter Radio Band Standards Coverage |  DCA08G 9 kHz to 8 GHz |
DCA27G 9 kHz to 27 GHz |
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| EU, NATO, US ECM: | A (from 9 kHz), B, C, D, E, F, G, H | A (from 9 kHz), B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K (up to 27 GHz) | |
| IEEE: | HF, VHF, UHF, L, S, C | HF, VHF, UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, K | |
| ITU: | ELF (from 9 kHz), SLF, ULF, VLF, LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF (up to 8 GHz) | ELF (from 9 kHz), SLF, ULF, VLF, LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF (up to 27 GHz) | |
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| SpectraScopeRT is a Windows based spectrum analyzer application that requires no programming and allows for integrated operational control of both the downconverter receiver and the digitizer for signal capture, analysis, recordings. Any tuner, downconverter, or receiver with an IF output or a virtual receiver is supported.
SpectraScopeRT provides the ability to save established settings to a configuration file that can be opened and applied, thus saving time from manually re-applying settings for repetitive configurations. Analysis displays include Time Domain, Frequency Spectrum, Power Spectrum, Constellation, Spectrogram, Persistence, and Histogram. Multiple display type windows can be opened and shown simultaneously with auto tile and cascade options or manually sized and placed as desired. Display windows include support for scope cursors to navigate through the display and obtain measurements. Cursor Track Mode can be enabled to lock the position of the two placed cursors. When locked, the spacing between cursors remains constant as they are moved through the display of data. The primary advantage of SpectraScopeRT is the ability to conduct real-time streaming signal recordings to drive storage with provided monitoring capability to ensure the recording process is operating with expected signal data and without errors. The non-proprietary file format of the raw binary data file allows for other 3rd party software applications to import and utilize the data easily, with associated separate XML-based header files that contain the context information on the data file. Multiple systems running the SpectraScopeRT Server option can be accessed and operated as remote nodes with a single user interface over an Ethernet network with the Remote Client option. This is beneficial in cases where multiple systems, that may be dispersed in different locations, need to have acquisition and/or recording operations controlled without physical attendance at each system. A script editor can also be used in conjunction with script execute actions to design an automation sequence for targeted operations. |
SpectraViewRT is a Windows based application that allows an operator to open/view and conduct playback of previous signal recordings to the display monitor for analysis.
Viewing file details will display the details of the opened signal recording present in the header file associated with the recording data file for review. It includes basic information about the recording, applied digitizer model information, applied receiver model information, and settings utilized for the recording with total elapsed time duration of the recording file. The various display types for Time Domain, Frequency Domain, Spectrogram, Persistence, and Histogram can all be effectively utilized for playback operations. Playback operations utilize familiar navigation toolbar buttons for starting playback, stopping playback, stepping backwards and forwards, and moving back to start, and for playback looping when the time domain data will loop from the end of the file back to the beginning when the end of file is reached. SpectraViewRT provides an Export Split File feature to facilitate taking a large signal recording file and splitting it into smaller sized files for ease of manipulation and management. This feature is especially useful for transferring smaller data file sizes that contain only the data of particular interest for review, rather than the entire original large signal recording file size. The main recording file can be split into smaller files based on file size, recording duration, samples, or number of split files. Each segmented/split file contains a binary recording file as well as a corresponding header file that defines the content of the split file. |
For more information SpectraScopeRT & SpectraViewRT
Block Diagram and Bandwidth Mode Figures for A-27-Series: DCA08G / DCA27G
| Downconverter Bandwidth Modes | |||
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| Bandwidth Mode | Bandwidth Mode Description | Model Option Bandwidth | Bandwidth Figure |
| ZIF (Zero IF) |
In the widest bandwidth mode of operation, the downconverter is configured as a direct conversion receiver. In this mode the analog signal is present on both the I and Q outputs and each output is band-limited to 80 MHz. The final IF signal is centered at DC (0 Hz) and available on both the I and Q outputs. To process this signal, a dual-channel digitizer with a sampling rate of at least 200 MS/s to capture 100 MHz bandwidth or 250 MS/s to capture 160 MHz bandwidth is required. Direct conversion receivers typically have artifacts such as DC and IQ offsets. While DC offset correction is to a large extent managed within the hardware, IQ offsets must be corrected in software. API sample code is provided to accomplish this for custom developed software. SpectraScopeRT includes these software corrections without any required programming. | Option 1: 100 MHz @ 0 Hz IF |
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| Option 2: 160 MHz @ 0 Hz IF |
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| SH (Super-Heterodyne) | When the receiver is in super-heterodyne mode, the analog output is present on the I output only and the final IF signal is centered at either 35 MHz or 55 MHz. To process this signal, a single-channel digitizer with a sampling rate of at least 200 MS/s to capture 40 MHz bandwidth or 250 MS/s to capture 80 MHz bandwidth is required. | Option 1: 40 MHz @ 35 Hz IF |
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| Option 1: 80 MHz @ 55 Hz IF |
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| SHN (Super-Heterodyne Narrow) | When the receiver is in the narrower super-heterodyne mode, the analog output is present on the I output only and the final IF signal is centered at 35 MHz. The narrower bandwidth filter offers better rejection of adjacent signals and provides the best spurious performance of all available modes. To process this signal, a single-channel digitizer with a sampling rate of at least 100 MS/s to capture 10 MHz bandwidth is required. |
Option 1 & 2: 10 MHz @ 35 MHz IF |
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Overview for Wide Bandwidth Applications with DCA08G / DCA27G
| Downconverter with External Digitizer ADC Operational Rates and Modes | |||||||||
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| Operating Receiver Bandwidth Mode | Operating Receiver Bandwidth (MHz) | Operating Receiver Center IF (MHz) | Operating Receiver IF Analog Outputs | Operating Digitizer Analog Inputs | Operating Digitizer Sample Resolution | Operating Digitizer ADC Rate (MS/s) | Operating Transfer Modes Supported | Operating Transfer Data Rate (MB/s) | Streaming Mode Continuous Samples Recording Maximum Duration Time* |
| SHN: Option 1 & Option 2 |
10 | 35 | I Only | CH-1 | 16-Bit | 100 | Memory or Streaming |
200 | 46 TB: 64 h, 0 m, 0 s 92 TB: 128 h, 0 m, 0 s 184 TB: 256 h, 0 m, 0 s 368 TB: 512 h, 0 m, 0 s |
| SH: Option 1 | 40 | 35 | I Only | CH-1 | 16-Bit | 200 | Memory or Streaming |
400 | 46 TB: 32 h, 0 m, 0 s 92 TB: 64 h, 0 m, 0 s 184 TB: 128 h, 0 m, 0 s 368 TB: 256 h, 0 m, 0 s |
| SH: Option 1 | 80 | 55 | I Only | CH-1 | 16-Bit | 250 | Memory or Streaming |
500 | 46 TB: 25 h, 36 m, 0 s 92 TB: 51 h, 12 m, 0 s 184 TB: 102 h, 24 m, 0 s 368 TB: 204 h, 48 m, 0 s |
| ZIF: Option 1 | 100 | 0 | I & Q | CH-1 & CH-2 | 16-Bit | 200 | Memory or Streaming |
800 | 46 TB: 16 h, 0 m, 0 s 92 TB: 32 h, 0 m, 0 s 184 TB: 64 h, 0 m, 0 s 368 TB: 128 h, 0 m, 0 s |
| ZIF Option 2 | 160 | 0 | I & Q | CH-1 & CH-2 | 16-Bit | 250 | Memory or Streaming |
1,000 | 46 TB: 12 h, 48 m, 0 s 92 TB: 25 h, 36 m, 0 s 184 TB: 51 h, 12 m, 0 s 368 TB: 102 h, 24 m, 0 s |
*System storage capacity options vary by system form factor. Storage capacities shown in table are based on 2U options.
External Digitizers
For such wideband use cases, an external high-speed Digitizer is optionally supplied that is suitable for integration in ultraportable, portable, desktop, or rackmount system form factors.
External multi-channel Digitizers with 16-bit A/D sampling rates up to 500 MS/s are available for use with the DCA08G or DCA27G Downconverter models. The large onboard FIFO memory of the external Digitizers allows for real-time streaming of I and Q baseband signals via PCI Express (PCIe) to the controller’s memory for post processing, display, and storage.
The 4-channel RazorMax Express models can support two downconverter receivers in baseband Zero IF mode (using both I & Q outputs) or four downconverter receivers in SuperHeterodyne or Super-Heterodyne Narrow mode (using I output only). 10 MHz reference inputs and outputs on both the digitizers and downconverter receivers provide a single frequency reference for synchronized system performance.
The spectrum analyzer software, SpectraScopeRT, requires no programming and allows for integrated operational control of both the downconverter receiver and the digitizer for signal capture, analysis, recordings.
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RazorMax 16-Bit PCIe Digitizer |
RazorPlus 16-Bit PCIe Digitizer |
RF Signal Record App |
| Resolution: 16-Bit
Max. Sample Rate: 1 GS/s or 500 MS/s 31 Sample Rates: 1 kS/s to 1 GS/s # of Channels: 4 or 2 Max. Bandwidth: 600 MHz or 300 MHz Channel Coupling: DC or AC, 50Ω # of Input Ranges: 1 Onboard Memory: 4 GS (8 GB) Host Interface: PCIe Gen3 x8 |
Resolution: 16-Bit
Max. Sample Rate: 500 MS/s 30 Sample Rates: 1 kS/s to 500 MS/s # of Channels: 2 Max. Bandwidth: 300 MHz Channel Coupling: DC or AC, 50Ω & 1MΩ # of Input Ranges: 6 Onboard Memory: 4 GS (8 GB) Host Interface: PCIe Gen3 x8 |
SpectraScopeRT is a Windows based spectrum analyzer application that requires no programming and allows for integrated operational control of both the downconverter receiver and the digitizer for signal capture, analysis, and conduct RF real-time streaming signal recordings with live monitoring. Any tuner, downconverter, or receiver with an IF output or a virtual receiver is supported. Analysis displays include Time Domain, Frequency Spectrum, Power Spectrum, Constellation, Spectrogram, Persistence, & Histogram.
The companion SpectraViewRT application allows an operator to open/view and conduct playback of previous signal recordings to the display monitor for analysis. |
| View Product | View Product | View Product |
DCA08G / DCA27G Downconverter Specifications
Tuning and Bandwidth
| Input Frequency Range | Model DCA08G: 9 kHz to 8 GHz Model DCA27G: 9 kHz to 27 GHz |
| Tuning Resolution with Analog IF Outputs | 10 Hz |
| Option 1 Instantaneous Bandwidth Modes (Software selectable) | ZIF: 100 MHz @ 0 Hz IF SH: 40 MHz @ 35 MHz IF SHN: 10 MHz @ 35 MHz IF |
| Option 2 Instantaneous Bandwidth Modes (Software selectable) | ZIF: 160 MHz @ 0 Hz IF SH: 80 MHz @ 55 MHz IF SHN: 10 MHz @ 35 MHz IF |
Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR)
| @ 160 / 100 MHz Bandwidth | 60 dBc (typical) |
| @ 80 / 40 / 10 MHz Bandwidth | 70 dBc (typical) |
Frequency Reference
| Internal/External | 10 MHz |
| Internal 10 MHz Oscillator Stability | ±1 ppm |
Amplitude
| Accuracy from 50 MHz to 27 GHz, at 25 °C ± 5 °C | ±2.00 dB (typical) |
| Measurement Range | DANL to max. safe input level |
| Attenuator Range | 0 to 30 dB in 10 dB steps (at input) 0 to 30 dB in 10 dB steps (IF attenuation) |
| Max. Safe RF Input Level | +10 dBm, Max DC: 10 V |
Third Order Intercept (TOI) at Max Gain
| At 1 GHz | +12 dBm (typical) |
Pre-Selection Filter Bank
| 8 GHz Model – DCA08G | 9-Channel Switched |
| 27 GHz Model – DCA27G | 21-Channel Switched |
Panel Connectors
| RF Input | SMA Female, 50 Ω |
| 10 MHz Reference In & Out | SMA Female, 50 Ω |
| Analog I and Q Out | SMA Female, 50 Ω |
| HIF Out | SMA Female, 50 Ω |
| 10/100/1000 Ethernet | RJ-45 |
| USB 2.0 Console | Type B Mini |
| GPIO | 25-pin Male D-Subminiature |
| Coaxial Power | Type A: 5.5 mm OD, 2.5 mm ID |
RF PLL Phase Noise at 1 GHz (using internal 10 MHz reference)
| Frequency Offset | 1 kHz | 10 kHz | 100 kHz | 1 MHz |
| RF PLL Phase Noise Typical | -93 dBc/Hz | -98 dBc/Hz | -106 dBc/Hz | -120 dBc/Hz |
Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) at 25 °C ± 5 °C
| Frequency | 8 GHz (typical) | 27 GHZ (typical) |
| 100 MHz | -157 dBm/Hz | -160 dBm/Hz |
| 500 MHz | -155 dBm/Hz | -159 dBm/Hz |
| 1 GHz | -156 dBm/Hz | -159 dBm/Hz |
| 2 GHz | -154 dBm/Hz | -153 dBm/Hz |
| 3 GHz | -152 dBm/Hz | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 4 GHz | -151 dBm/Hz | -162 dBm/Hz |
| 5 GHz | -150 dBm/Hz | -158 dBm/Hz |
| 6 GHz | -149 dBm/Hz | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 7 GHz | -150 dBm/Hz | -158 dBm/Hz |
| 8 GHz | -144 dBm/Hz | -161 dBm/Hz |
| 9 GHz | N/A | -161 dBm/Hz |
| 10 GHz | N/A | -161 dBm/Hz |
| 11 GHz | N/A | -160 dBm/Hz |
| 12 GHz | N/A | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 13 GHz | N/A | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 14 GHz | N/A | -154 dBm/Hz |
| 15 GHz | N/A | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 16 GHz | N/A | -157 dBm/Hz |
| 17 GHz | N/A | -156 dBm/Hz |
| 18 GHz | N/A | -156 dBm/Hz |
| 19 GHz | N/A | -149 dBm/Hz |
| 20 GHz | N/A | -154 dBm/Hz |
| 21 GHz | N/A | -153 dBm/Hz |
| 22 GHz | N/A | -152 dBm/Hz |
| 23 GHz | N/A | -153 dBm/Hz |
| 24 GHz | N/A | -155 dBm/Hz |
| 25 GHz | N/A | -153 dBm/Hz |
| 26 GHz | N/A | -150 dBm/Hz |
| 27 GHz | N/A | -148 dBm/Hz |
Physical
| Power Supply | Input AC 120V-240V / Output +12V |
| Power Consumption | 19 W (8 GHz) / 25 W (27 GHz) |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to +50°C / 32° to 122° F |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C / -40° to 185° F |
| Enclosure Dimensions | 257.3 (L) x 193.7 (W) x 60 (H) mm 10.13 (L) x 7.63 (W) x 2.36 (H) inches |
| Weight | Model DCA08G: 2.54 kg / 5.6 lb. Model DCA27G: 2.72 kg / 6 lb. |
Ordering Information
| Model # | RF Input | Bandwidth Modes | Filtering | Order Part # |
| DCA08G100 | 9 kHz – 8 GHz | 100 MHz @ Center IF 0 Hz 40 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz 10 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz |
9-Channel Switched, No Pre-Amplifier |
DCA-008-001 |
| DCA08G160 | 9 kHz – 8 GHz | 160 MHz @ Center IF 0 Hz 80 MHz @ Center IF 55 MHz 10 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz |
9-Channel Switched, No Pre-Amplifier |
DCA-008-002 |
| DCA27G100 | 9 kHz – 27 GHz | 100 MHz @ Center IF 0 Hz 40 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz 10 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz |
21-Channel Switched, & Pre-Amplifier |
DCA-027-001 |
| DCA27G160 | 9 kHz – 27 GHz | 160 MHz @ Center IF 0 Hz 80 MHz @ Center IF 55 MHz 10 MHz @ Center IF 35 MHz |
21-Channel Switched, & Pre-Amplifier |
DCA-027-002 |
All downconverter models include power supply, ISM antenna, Ethernet cable, and USB cable.
Accessory Options:
| Description | Order Part # |
| 19” rackmount shelf that supports two horizontally mounted downconverter units, occupying 2U rackmount height space. | DCA-RCK-200 |
Software:
| Description | Order Part # |
| Downconverter Software APIs for C/C++ and Python | Included |
| SpectraScopeRT Standard Edition: Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Recording, Single Local Host Operation | DSD-SRT-A00 |
| SpectraScopeRT Standard Edition: Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Recording, Single Server Host Operation – Can be remotely connected to with Remote Client Edition | DSD-SRT-B00 |
| SpectraScopeRT Remote Client Edition: Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Recording, Single Remote Client Operation – Can remotely connect to multiple Server Hosts | DSD-SRT-C00 |
| SpectraViewRT: Spectrum Analyzer & Playback Viewer Application Single Local Host Operation |
DSD-SVT-000 |