X-COM Systems VSG5000A Provides Cost-Effective Solution For Environment Simulation Using ‘Real-World' RF Signals

Expandable system combines four independent, phase-coherent RF signal generators with high-capacity solid-state data storage in compact 4U rack-mount enclosure

X-COM Systems, LLC, a subsidiary of Bird Technologies, recently introduced the VSG5000A multi-channel, phase-coherent vector signal generator that operates from 50 MHz to 3 GHz and 6 to 18 GHz and provides an accurate, cost-effective way to simulate many types of systems using real-world signal conditions. It combines four independent vector signal generators each with 110 MHz of bandwidth (440 MHz of total bandwidth), solid-state storage for each channel that provides 50 min. of recording time at maximum bandwidth, and measures only 21 x 17 x 7 in. It is an excellent choice for evaluating the performance of active phased-array radars, the multiple receivers in smartphones, MIMO systems, as well as satellite communications terminals and transponders, battlefield radios, and other communications and electronic warfare systems.

The VSG5000A provides significant advantages over techniques used for stimulating systems with RF and microwave signals to gauge their performance. “Prepackaged” (idealized) signal files cannot accurately depict what a system will actually experience in service as they are limited in their ability to model noise, propagation effects, or large numbers of signals. In addition, the electromagnetic environment at most locations, especially at frequencies below 6 GHz, will contain hundreds or thousands of signals of various types including those employing frequency hopping and other spread-spectrum techniques, all with different signal strengths, as well as various types of interference. In contrast, the VSG5000A uses files that were captured off the air, at the actual point of deployment if desired, that most accurately depict real operating conditions. The VSG5000A can also use files created in MATLAB or similar tools or user-configured files of waveform sequences created using X-COM’s RF Editor software.

The VSG5000A consists of four major subsystems: four RF signal generators, four solid-state waveform memory modules (WMMs), a memory controller, and a timing control subsystem. Each signal generator can operate independently at different frequencies or in any combination with their outputs synchronized in time, phase, and frequency. This allows virtually any complex RF signal environment to be created with mixed waveforms including pulsed types or any waveform used in commercial wireless or military communication systems. When the 110 MHz bandwidths of each channel are combined, they produce an instantaneous bandwidth of 440 MHz which allows the VSG5000A to supply the full bandwidth of many satellite communications transponders and radar systems. The VSG5000A can be easily customized to serve specific applications, including expansion to 32 independent channels and external storage for up to 7 hours of continuous recording time at 110 MHz bandwidth and 112 hours at a 10-MHz bandwidth. When all 32 channels are combined the system can provide up to 3.52 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth. The signal generators use a single frequency reference to ensure phase coherency of their outputs or a precision 10-MHz external clock reference if desired to ensure synchronization between the VSG5000A and other equipment in a larger automated test environment.

When combined with external vector signal generators, signals at any center frequency from kilohertz to millimeter wavelengths can be seamlessly combined to create sequences of any length and complexity. Control and configuration software supplied with the instrument lets users control each carrier’s center frequency, amplitude, and phase, and adjust phase relative to any other carrier in increments as small as 1 deg. The VSG5000A’s timing subsystem controls each signal generator to ensure they are all precisely synchronized. It also manages external triggers used to initiate the starting or stopping of waveform playback as well as I&Q channel slew settings, calibration, and local oscillator tuning for each channel. An external timing module is available to allow phase alignment of up to eight VSG5000As. The WMMs are removable from the front panel and each channel’s WMM can be managed via Gigabit Ethernet.

X-COM also offers its SigAnalyst Windows-based workstation, a quad-core high-performance PC optimized for use with the VSG5000A as well as X-COM’s IQC5000A Series spectrum capture and playback system, Spectro-X signal analysis software, and RF Editor file manipulation software.

Availability
X-COM’s VSG5000A is available now and technical resources are available on X-COM’s Web site, www.xcomsystems.com.

About X-COM Systems
X-COM Systems, headquartered near Washington, DC, in Reston, VA, was founded in 1996 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bird Technologies. The company provides advanced RF signal recording, visualization, analysis, and signal generation tools for defense and commercial applications worldwide. For more information, visit www.xcomsystems.com.

About Bird Technologies
Bird Technologies headquartered in Solon, OH, manufactures radio frequency measurement and management equipment and systems and provides educational solutions and other services. The company serves broadcast, cellular, government, land mobile radio, medical, military, and semiconductor markets. Bird products include analyzers, antennas, attenuators, cavity filters, combining systems, components, duplexers and triplexers, laboratory-grade instruments, plug-in elements, power measurement products, preselectors, signal boosters, terminations and loads, tower-top amplifier/receiver multicouplers, and wattmeters. For more information, visit www.bird-technologies.com.