Page updated   2010 February 19.

S51KQ hardware & software

Specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.
Use on your own risk.   All rights reserved by author !

Latest changes in areas

NBFM projects:  new project DTMF2007 developed
Video generator:  new software called Video COUNTER written for VID2G project 
Tools:  CNC controller added
 
 

ATV repeater controllers
ATVRC-1  DTMF12
2003-07-30
ANTENNA projects
1.2GHz JAGI 1.2GHz "8" 1.2GHz feed
2.3GHz "8" 2.3GHz feed Stacked SLOTS
Single SLOT 10GHz HORN
2005-08-07
RF filter
ATV transmitters 
& receivers
ATVRX2 1.2GHz ATVTX2 1.2GHz
2002-12-26
DVB items
Encoder box design
2003-11-21
Power amplifiers
800mW PA 2.3GHz 280W PA  434MHz ECI-5
2005-05-16
Video GENERATOR
CGEN 1..6 VIPS VID01
VID2G VGEN2 VideoCOUNTER
2007-03-29
Video ROUTERs
VISW VISW-2 stereo DISTRIB-2
2005-08-28
TELETEXT devices
TTX800 coder
2004-08-27
PLL  controllers
UNI13P UNIPLL CX-13
MV-RTX (1989) LCD
2005-01-02
LANC & DV-IN projects
LANC-1 D8 & DV camera
DV-IN memory dumps
2004-04-19
NBFM projects
RRC-4 Beep Phone patch
EchoLink interface DTMF2007 controller
2007-03-29
PAGING projects
HamCALL POCSAG
2000-11-12
AVR evaluation boards
AT 90s8515 AT Mega103
2001-01-21
Low power FM broadcasting
3m band experiments
2002-12-05
Tools & Unclasified
TOYO-1 CNC controller Tower Light
2006-07-20


Profesionaly made PCB's & full operational software available for some projects. Source files with unlimited reproduction rights available, too.


 
High quality PCB's for some of my projects can be ordered via Email. PCB's are profesionaly made with STOP mask and COMPONENT PRINT, they are drilled
and ready for assembling. All ordered microprocesors will be preprogramed with selected software and tested before sending.  Full KIT's not available


 
PCB manufacturing


AKA PCB  Bled, Slovenia HOBOTNICA  Kranj, Slovenia LUZNAR  Kranj, Slovenia
ELGOline Cerknica, Slovenia LINGVA  Cerknica, Slovenia
GROHAR  Kranj, Slovenia
INTEC tiv  Kranj, Slovenia HOBOTNICA  Kranj, Slovenia

Front Plate Design & Manufacturing

Schaeffer   Germany

 

Electronic Component Shopping

Segor electronics GmbH   Germany IC elektronika   Slovenia Riedl electronic   Austria
HTE - High Tech Elementi   Slovenia Neuhold   Austria Electronicpool.de   Germany
IET - Industrijska el. Tovornik   Slovenia Datasheet search

 

Used measuring instruments & broadcasting equipment

HTB electronik   Germany JBTech  Germany AirLink instruments Denmark
PROFCONTROLDK7QQ & DH1DAX ROSENKRANZ  Germany RAINER FÖRTIG elektronik  Germany 
H&S EQUIPMENTAustria  MJS electronic Sweeden  eBay
HELMUT SINGER Germany  BPM broadcasting  Germany Funkboerse  Germany
Cooke International U.K. M.E.T. France. Test-measure U.K.
SSE RF products U.K.

 


 
Application
Notes

 

 

Measurement Units for Power and Gain

Microwave and RF amplifiers are devices used to amplify a small signal so the system can use them to receive and transmit signals. Since microwave signals have such a high frequency, the wave form can not be seen on the scope. They are measured by the thermal energy or detector. The units for this power are always converted to dBm, and the gain is dB. The definition for 1mW is 0 dBm, and 1 W (1000 mW) is 10*log 1000 = +30 dBm.

Example:

Power
10 mW +10 dBm
100 mW +20 dBm
1000mW (1W) +30 dBm
100 W +50 dBm

 Gain

Gain is defined as the ratio of the output power to the input power in dB.  Assume that the input power is 10 mW (+10 dBm) and the output power is 1 W (1000 mW, +30 dB).  The ratio will be 1000/10 = 100, and the gain will be 10 * log 100 = 20 dB.

It is much easier to calculate gain by converting the power to dBm first, so the gain of the above amplifier will be 30-10 = 20 dB.  A simple reduction will reveal the gain.  In tradition, all power is read in dBm and the gain is in dB.
 
Example: A low noise amp (30 dB gain) cascades with a driver amp (20 dB gain) and a power amp (10 dB gain).  The total gain will be 30+20+10 = 60 dB.

Gain Flatness

The difference between the maximum and minimum gain is the gain flatness. It can be written as xx dB peak to peak or ± xx/2 dB.
 
Example: High gain 33dB, low gain 30 dB.  The gain flatness will be (33-30)/2 =  ± 1.5 dB.

Noise Figure

The amplifier generates its own noise (white noise).  The ratio between the signal and the noise level is the "signal to noise ratio."  It is often described in dB.  Noise figure is always written as XX dB, maximum.  Most noise figure measurements are done at +25 °C, unless it is specified at different temperatures.  Noise figures for the amplifiers are affected by the outside environment.  It may go up .015 dB/°C.  So a 3dB N.F. amlifier (at +25 °C) may have 3.0 + .015 x (85-25) = 3.9 dB NF at +85 °C.  An amplifier with low noise figure is called low noise amlpifier (LNA).  A lower noise figure is always desired for a receiver.
 

P1dB

The output power of the amplifier is measured in dBm.  Most amplifiers are used in the linear region which have low distortion and harmonics.  In the linear region, the output power is the sum of the input power and the gain (= 0 dBm, Gain 20 dB, +20 dBm).  As input power increases, the output power will increase proportionally to the gain until it starts to compress.   When the difference is between the small signal gain to the actual gain 1dB, we call it one dB compression point.  The amplifier will have high distortion and harmonics beyond P1dB point.  So most communication systems are operated 7 to 10 dB below P1dB point. 


 
Application
Notes

 

 

Mechanical notes - connector THREADS
 
 Connector    /    thread (diam. & threads/inch) 
N connector 5/8" - 24 UNEF
PL259, UHF connector 5/8" - 24 UNEF
BNC female 3/8" - 32
TNC 7/16" - 28
SMA 1/4" - 36

Conversion

1 inch (1") = 2.54cm
1 foot (1') = 30.48cm


 
Waveguide Dimensions


Usable Frequency
(GHz)
Typical 
Waveguide
Long Dimension
"a" Inches
Short Dimension
"b" Inches
1.12-1.7 WR650
6.500
3.250
1.7-2.6 WR430
4.300
2.150
2.2-2.3 WR340
3.400
1.700
2.6-3.95 WR284
2.840
1.340
3.3-4.9 WR229
2.290
1.145
3.95-5.85 WR187
1.870
.0870
4.9-7.05 WR159
1.590
.0759
7-11 WR102
1.020
0.510
8.2-12.4 WR90
0.900
0.400
10-15 WR75
0.750
0.375
18-26.5 WR42
0.420
0.170
Circular Waveguide Dimensions
Frequency
Band
Frequency
Range
Circular Waveguide
Diameter, Inches (cm)
K LOW 18.0-20.5 0.455 (1.16)
MID 20-24.5 0.396 (1.01)
HIGH 24-26.5 0.328 (0.83)
Ka LOW 26.5-33 0.315 (0.80)
MID 33-38.5 0.250 (0.64)
HIGH 38.5-40 0.219 (0.56)
Q LOW 33-38.5 0.250 (0.64)
MID 38.5-43 0.219 (0.56)
HIGH 43-50 0.188 (0.48)
U LOW 40-43 0.210 (0.53)
MID 43-50 0.188 (0.48)
HIGH 50-60 0.165 (0.42)
V LOW 50-58 0.165 (0.42)
MID 58-68 0.141 (0.36)
HIGH 68-75 0.125 (0.32)
E LOW 60-66 0.136 (0.35)
MID 66-78 0.125 (0.32)
HIGH 78-90 0.094 (0.24)
W LOW 75-88 0.112 (0.28)
HIGH 88-110 0.094 (0.24)
F LOW 90-115 0.089 (0.23)
HIGH 115-140 0.075 (0.19)
D LOW 110-140 0.073 (0.19)
HIGH 140-160 0.059 (0.15)
G LOW 140-180 0.057 (0.15)
HIGH 180-220 0.046 (0.12)
Conversion of uW, mW and W to dBm
Microwatt
uW dBm
1 -30.0
2 -27.0
3 -25.2
4 -24.0
5 -23.0
6 -22.2
7 -21.5
8 -21.0
9 -20.5
10 -20.0
20 -17.0
30 -15.2
40 -14.0
50 -13.0
60 -12.2
70 -11.5
80 -11.0
90 -10.5
100 -10.0
200 -7.0
300 -5.2
400 -4.0
500 -3.0
600 -2.2
700 -1.5
800 -1.0
900 -0.5
1000 0.0
Milliwatt
mW dBm
1 0.0
2 3.0
3 4.8
4 6.0
5 7.0
6 7.8
7 8.5
8 9.0
9 9.5
10 10.0
20 13.0
30 14.8
40 16.0
50 17.0
60 17.8
70 18.5
80 19.0
90 19.5
100 20.0
200 23.0
300 24.8
400 26.0
500 27.0
600 27.8
700 28.5
800 29.0
900 29.5
1000 30.0

 

Watt
W dBm
1 30.0
2 33.0
3 34.8
4 36.0
5 37.0
6 37.8
7 38.5
8 39.0
9 39.5
10 40.0
20 43.0
30 44.8
40 46.0
50 47.0
60 47.8
70 48.5
80 49.0
90 49.5
100 50.0
200 53.0
300 54.8
400 56.0
500 57.0
600 57.8
700 58.5
800 59.0
900 59.5
1000 60.0
SWR loss
SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) affects the power output of transmitter.  * ERP = Percentage of effective eadiated PWR
 
SWR READING % OF LOSS ERP* WATTS AVAILABLE
1.0:1 0.0% 100.0% 4.00
1.1:1 0.3% 99.7% 3.99
1.2:1 0.8% 99.2% 3.97
1.3:1 1.7% 98.3% 3.93
1.4:1 2.7% 97.3% 3.89
1.5:1 3.0% 97.0% 3.88
1.6:1 5.0% 95.0% 3.80
1.7:1 6.0% 94.0% 3.76
1.8:1 8.0% 92.0% 3.68
2.0:1 11.0% 89.0% 3.56
2.2:1 14.0% 86.0% 3.44
2.4:1 17.0% 83.0% 3.32
2.6:1 20.0% 80.0% 3.20
3.0:1 25.0% 75.0% 3.00
4.0:1 38.0% 62.0% 2.48
5.0:1 48.0% 52.0% 2.08
6.0:1 55.0% 45.0% 1.80
10.0:1 70.0% 30.0% 1.20

 
 
 
EIA designation
(Standard US)
and /RG number
RCSC Designation
(Standard UK)
Band  Inside Dimensions
inches 
Outside Dimensions
inches (typ)
Standard Freq Range, GHz Cutoff Freq GHz, 
Source #1, (Source #2) 
Loss per foot 
Low end - High end 
of waveguide band
Power Handling 
Low to High freq 
MW=Megawatts, kW=Kilowatts
WR650 /RG69 WG 6 - 6.50, 3.25 6.66, 3.41 1.12 to 1.70 ? (0.91) - -
WR430 /RG104 WG 8 - 4.30, 2.15  4.46, 2.31 1.70 to 2.60  ? (1.37) - -
WR340 WG 9A - 3.40, 1.70  3.56, 1.86 2.10 to 3.00  ? (1.6) - -
WR284 /RG48 WG 10 - 2.84, 1.34 3.00, 1.50 2.60 to 3.95  ? (2.08) 2.2 - 3.2 MW
WR229 WG11A - 2.29, 1.145  2.418, 1.273 3.30 to 4.90  ? (2.58)  - 1.6 - 2.2 MW
WR187 /RG49 WG12 - 1.872, 0.872  2.000, 1.000 3.95 to 5.85  ? (3.16)  - 1.4 - 2.0 MW
WR159 WG13 - 1.590, 0.795 1.718, 0.923 4.90 to 7.05  ? (3.71)  - 0.79 - 1.0 MW
WR137 /RG50 WG14 - 1.372, 0.622  1.500, 0.750 5.85 to 8.20  ? (4.31)  - 560 - 710 kW
WR112 /RG51 WG15 1.122, 0.497  1.250, 0.625 7.05 to 10.00  ? (5.27)  - 350 - 460 kW
WR90 /RG52 WG16 X 0.900, 0.400  1.000, 0.500 8.20 to 12.4  ? (6.56)  - 200 - 290 kW
WR75 WG17 - 0.750, 0.375  0.850, 0.475 10.0 to 15.0  ? (7.87)  - 170 - 230 kW
WR62 /RG91 WG18 Ku 0.622, 0.311  0.702, 0.391 12.4 to 18.0  9.50 (9.52)  - 120 - 160 kW
WR51 WG19 0.510, 0.255  0.590, 0.335 15.0 to 22.0  ? (11.57)  - 80 - 107 kW
WR42 /RG53 WG20 K 0.420, 0.170 0.500, 0.250 18.0 to 26.5  14.08 (14.05)  0.26 - 0.20 dB 43 - 58 kW
WR28 /RG96 WG22 Ka 0.280, 0.140 0.360, 0.220 26.5 to 40.0  21.08 (21.08)  0.44 - 0.30 dB 22 - 31 kW
WR22 /RG97 WG23 Q 0.224, 0.112 0.304, 0.192 33.0 to 50.0  26.34 (26.82)  0.62 - 0.42 dB 14 - 20 kW
WR19 WG24 U 0.188, 0.094 0.268, 0.174 40.0 to 60.0  31.36 (31.06)  0.77 - 0.54 dB ? kW
WR15 /RG98 WG 25 V 0.148, 0.074 0.228, 0.154 50.0 to 75.0  39.87 (39.34)  0.10 - 0.80 dB ? kW
WR12 /RG99 WG 26 E 0.122, 0.061 0.202, 0.141 60.0 to 90.0  48.35 (49.18)  1.8 - 1.0 dB ? kW
WR10  WG 27 W 0.100, 0.050  0.180, 0.130 75.0 to 110.0  59.01 (59.01)  2.0 - 1.4 dB ? kW
WR8 WG 28 F 0.080, 0.040 0.160, 0.120 90.0 to 140.0  73.77 (73.77)  3.0 - 2.0 dB ? kW
WR6 WG ? D 0.065, 0.0325 0.145, 0.112 110 to 170  90.79 (84.31)  3.8 - 3.0 dB ? kW
WR5 WG ? G 0.0510, 0.0255 0.131, 0.105  140 to 220  115.7 (118.03)  6.1 - 3.8 dB ? kW
WR3 WG ? Y 0.034, 0.0170  0.114, 0.097  220 to 325  196.71 (196.71) 10.0 - 0.7 dB ? kW

 
CONNECTOR SERIES COMPARISONS
N SERIES

This was the first matched RF connector. It was done during WWII for high frequency applications. The N connector is characterized by a 5/8-24 mating thread and an air dielectric interface . It is best suited for use with cables having a jacket diameter from .250 to .450 inches. Connectors have been made for smaller as well as larger cables. The N series has good RF performance parameters. The air dielectric limits its voltage handling capacities. The N series is the most popular of the medium size connectors. The N connectors are covered by Mil-C--39012 slash sheets 1 through 5, and 129 through 132.

C SERIES

This is similar in size to type N connectors, however, they are bayonet locking. The C series uses a teflon dielectric for its interface. The dielectric overlap enables better voltage handling capabilities. The bayonet coupling does not perform well electrically during vibration. C connectors are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 6 through 15.

HN SERIES

These are slightly larger than type N connectors, but use basically the same cables. They have a 3/4-20 mating thread and have a teflon interface. They are designed to have increased voltage capabilities without realizing the loss of its RF parameters. The Navy is using HN's in their submarine sonobuoy program. HN connectors are covered by Mil-C-3643.

SC SERIES

This often is referred to as the Screwed C. It was developed to overcome the shortcoming of the C and HN connectors. Its has a 11/16-24 mating thread. The SC is popular in Military aircraft and areas which have high vibration. The SC connectors are not more widely used because of their price. They are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 35 through 43.

BNC SERIES

This is the most popular RF connector. It features a bayonet coupling. It is recommended for use with cables ranging from .150 to .250 inches. Since it is such a popular connector, it has been made for a much wider range of cables. They are very widely used in the instrumentation field. They are limited in frequency because of their bayonet coupling. The BNC connector can be used where quick connect/disconnect is desired yet positive locking is needed. BNC connectors are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 16 through 24.

SHV and MHV SERIES

These are high voltage versions of the BNC. The SHV was designed to replace the MHV. It was felt the MHV was an unsafe connector since the ground connection was broken before power connection. The SHV was developed by NBS for high energy physics applications. Both series were recently incorporated into Mil-C-39012, however, the MHV series was immediately inactivated and replaced by the SHV. MHV connectors were covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 100 through 104. SHV connectors are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 105 through 111. Both MHV and SHV were not designed with the intentions of meeting RF performance parameters.

TNC SERIES

This is a threaded version of the BNC. It has a 7/16-28 mating thread. The TNC's have high frequency capabilities because of their more stable mating. They are popular where the larger SC and N connectors are too big but a threaded coupling is needed. TNC are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 26 through 34, and 112 through 116.

SMA SERIES

This high performance subminiature connector. They are characterized by a 1/4-36 mating thread and a butt outer contact. They usually have passivated or gold-plated stainless steel bodies. They were designed originally for use with .141 semi-rigid cable. When used with this cable, the optimum performance can be obtained. It is not always desirable to use semi-rigid cable since it is awkward to work with, but when the more popular flexible cables are used, it is not recommended to use the SMA connector above 12.4 GHz because the cables are not rated that high. The drawback with the SMA series is the butt outer contact, if the connector is not properly mated, the RF parameters will be degraded. The SMA is commonly used with cables ranging from .085 to .220 dia. The SMA is a very widely used connector in high performance military systems and state-of-the-art test equipment, as well as where miniaturization is desired. The SMA connector for flexible cables and receptacles are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 55 through 63; connectors for semi-rigid are covered by slash sheets 79 through 83, and slash 92 through 94.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

SMC SERIES

This is another subminiature threaded connector. It is characterized by a #10-32 mating thread and brass, gold-plated body. It does not have the performance capabilities of the SMA. It is used where miniaturization is needed but high performance is not. It issued with cables ranging from .045 to .140 dia. SMC connectors are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 73 through 78

SMB SERIES

This is a snap-on version of the SMC. It is more limited in performance due to its coupling means. It is used where room for threading and unthreading is unavailable. SMB's are covered by Mil-C-39012 slash sheets 67 through 72 and 95 through 96. 

75 Ohm SMB/SMC - Both the SMB and SMC have 75 ohm versions available. They are very popular in the Telecommunications industry where it is designed to keep attenuation to a minimum. These interfaces are not coordinated through a military or industry standard. The larger corporations such as Rockwell/Collins have their own interface requirements which guarantees interchangeability. These 75 ohm versions are slightly larger than their 50 ohm counterparts.

PMA SERIES

This is a proprietary series developed by Automatic Connector. Its performance is comparable to the SMA. The PMA has a wiping outer contact and is designed for use with cables from .110 to .220 dia. It features a float mounting achieved through a coil spring.

PMMA SERIES

This is another proprietary series developed at Automatic Connector. It is a miniaturized version of the PMA, with improved electrical performance through 18 GHz. It is designed for use with cables ranging from .085 to .140 dia.

BSM and TSM SERIES

These are low performance subminiature connectors. They are very popular in land mobile radios. The Automatic BSM connectors are interchangeable with the Amphenol MB series and Kings KM series. These are commonly used with cables ranging from .110 to .250 dia.

ADM SERIES

This is a family of coaxial contacts which can be used in D-subminiature type blocks. These are interchangeable with Cannon, Cinch and Palco contacts.

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