TEKBOX TBMDA-BCI25 Modulated Wideband Power Amplifier Instruction Manual

V1.0
TBMDA-BCI25
Modulated Wideband Power Amplifier
Instruction Manual

Introduction

Tekbox provides a complete solution for affordable pre-compliance conducted immunity testing:
Coupling Decoupling Networks along with suitable calibration adapters and 150 Ohm transitions; BCI probes, suitable modulated wideband power amplifiers and EMCview PRO software. A third-party spectrum analyzer with tracking generator serves as signal source.
The TBMDA-BCI25 modulated amplifier provides the necessary bandwidth and modulation for conducted immunity testing using BCI probes per ISO 11452-4 in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 400 MHz. It is designed to be driven by signal generators or by tracking generators of spectrum analyzers. With a 1 dB compression point of up to 30 W in the frequency range 1 MHz to 400 MHz it can generate test levels up to 400mA. A built in AM / PM – modulator enables use of tracking generators as signal source. The TBMDA-BCI25 has sufficient gain to achieve maximum output power with 0 dBm provided by a spectrum analyzer tracking generator.
Besides 1 kHz, 80% AM, the TBMDA-BCI25 provides built in modulation capability to generate 1 kHz, 50% duty cycle PM signals. In PM mode, the TBMDA-BCI25 can also generate a 217 Hz Signal with 12.5% duty cycle in order to simulate mobile phone TDMA noise.

Picture 2 – TBMDA-BCI25 modulated wideband driver amplifier, rear view

Application:
General-purpose wideband RF power amplifier
Wideband RF power amplifier for conducted immunity testing driving BCI-probes
Wideband RF power amplifier for radiated immunity testing, driving near field probes
Wideband RF power amplifier for radiated immunity testing, driving TEM Cells
Features:
CW amplifier (modulation off)
1 kHz, 80% AM modulation
1 kHz, 50% duty cycle pulse modulation
217 Hz, 12.5% duty cycle pulse modulation
Dimensions:
32 cm x 28 cm x 13 cm, 5.7 kg

Electrical Specifications

Technical Data:
Input / Output: 50 Ohm, N female
Supply Voltage range: 110 V…240 V
Supply power consumption: 108 W @ 220V
Operating temperature range: -20°C to 50°C
Frequency range: 1 MHz – 400 MHz
Small signal gain: 47 dB typ.
Gain flatness 1 MHz – 400 MHz / Pin = -3 dBm: 1.5 dB typ.
Saturated output power @ 1 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.1 dBm (32.2 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 10 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.2 dBm (33 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 50 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.9 dBm (38.6 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 100 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.7 dBm (37.5 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 150 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 46.2 dBm (41.2 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 200 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.6 dBm (36.1 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 250 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 46.3 dBm (42.5 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 300 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 46 dBm (39.7 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 350 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45.8 dBm (37.8 W) typ.
Saturated output power @ 400 MHz / Pin = 0 dBm: 45 dBm (31.6 W) typ.
1dB output compression point @ 1 MHz: 44.1 dBm typ. (Pin: -4 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 10 MHz: 44.6 dBm typ. (Pin: -3 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 50 MHz: 45.3 dBm typ. (Pin: -2 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 100 MHz: 45.2 dBm typ. (Pin: -1 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 150 MHz: 45.2 dBm typ. (Pin: -2 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 200 MHz: 45.2 dBm typ. (Pin: -1 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 250 MHz: 45.6 dBm typ. (Pin: -2 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 300 MHz: 45.1 dBm typ. (Pin: -2 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 350 MHz: 44.8 dBm typ. (Pin: -2 dBm)
1dB output compression point @ 400 MHz: 43.6 dBm typ. (Pin: -4 dBm)
2nd harmonic, 100 MHz, Pout = 45.7 dBm: < – 23 dBc typ.
2 nd harmonic, 100 MHz, Pout = 40 dBm: < – 29 dBc typ.
3 rd harmonic, 100 MHz, Pout = 45.7 dBm: < – 12 dBc typ.
3 rd harmonic, 100 MHz, Pout = 40 dBm: < – 19 dBc typ.
Total harmonic distortion:
8.6% @100MHz, Pout = 37 dBm typ.
12.1% @100 MHz, Pout = 40 dBm typ.
17.6% @100 MHz, Pout = 43 dBm typ.
25% @100 MHz, Pout = 45.7 dBm typ.
Third order output intercept point: 49 dBm, @100 MHz, ∆ f = 2MHz, typ.
Internal modulation frequency AM: 1 kHz ±20%
Internal modulation frequencies PM: 1 kHz ±20%, 217 Hz ±20%
Duty cycle, PM: 50% ±10% @ 1 kHz; 12.5% ±20% @ 217 Hz
Maximum ratings:
Maximum input power: +0 dBm
The output of the TBMDA-BCI25 is quite tolerant to output mismatch, however open or shorted load is not recommended, as it potentially can cause damage to the output transistor. When driving near field probes, current probes or any load of unknown impedance, it is highly recommended to insert a ≥ 3dB attenuator at the output of the amplifier in order to protect the output stage.
Gain flatness

Small Signal Performance (@ Pin = – 10 dBm):

Table 1- TBMDA-BC125 small signal gain, typ.
1 dB compression point:

Table 2 – TBMDA-BCl25, 1 dB compression point versus frequency, typ.
Saturation (@ Pin = 0 dBm):

44.94

Table 3 – TBMDA-BCI25, Saturation versus frequency, typ.
Modulation:
Zero span, 10 ms sweep time, peak detector

Applications – radiated immunity

Immunity testing using a TEM cell

Immunity testing using near field probes
Radiated immunity EMC pre-compliance is typically a 2-step procedure. First, a TEM cell is used to investigate for immunity issues of the DUT. In case of any failure, near-field probes will be used to locate the sensitive circuitry on the PCBA.
TEM Cell field strength
A typical pre-compliance set up for immunity testing is typically not equipped with an E-field probe to measure the real field strength inside the TEM cell. However, the field strength can be calculated with sufficient accuracy for EMC pre-compliance set-ups.
The E-field (V/m) between septum and lower (upper) wall of a TEM cell is E = V/d where V is the RMS voltage of the applied signal and d is the distance between septum and lower (upper) wall. This is based on the simplified assumption that the E field would be perfectly homogenous/evenly distributed. A more practical formula is E = VCor/d where Cor is a correction factor for the average field strength over the volume of the DUT derived from the analysis of the field distribution over the cross section of the cell.
Assuming the DUT is placed in the center of the cell and in the middle between bottom wall and septum, we can use the simplified formula with sufficient accuracy.
TBTC0: d = 2.8 cm -> E[V/m] = (√(P50Ω))35.7
TBTC1: d = 5 cm -> E[V/m] = (√(P50Ω))20
TBTC2: d = 10 cm -> E[V/m] = (√(P50Ω))10
TBTC3: d = 15 cm -> E[V/m] = (√(P50Ω))6.66
The power P in the formulas above hast to be entered in [Watt] P [W] = 0.001(10^ (P[dBm]/10))

Frequency [MHz]| Input power [dBm]| Output power [dBm]| Field strength TBTC0 [V/m]| Field strength TBTC1 [V/m]| Field strength TBTC2 [V/m]| Field strength TBTC3 [V/m]
---|---|---|---|---|---|---
1| -3| 44.54| 1346.3| 754.2| 377.1| 251.2
10| -3| 44.59| 1354.1| 758.6| 379.3| 252.6
50| -3| 44.55| 1347.9| 755.1| 377.6| 251.5
100| -3| 43.96| 1259.4| 705.5| 352.8| 234.9
150| -3| 44.5| 1340.1| 750.8| 375.4| 250
200| -3| 44.06| 1274| 713.7| 356.8| 237.7
250| -3| 44.97| 1414.7| 792.5| 396.3| 263.9
300| -3| 44.37| 1320.2| 739.6| 369.8| 246.3
350| -3| 44.1| 1279.8| 717| 358.5| 238.8
400| -3| 44.14| 1285.7| 720.3| 360.2| 239.9

Table 4 – calculated field strength for the TBMDA-BCI25 driving Tekbox TEM cells
The above output power is the RMS output power in case of a CW signal. Note that in case of 80% AM modulation, the RMS power of the modulated signal will be 5.1 dB lower than the RMS power of the CW signal.

Applications – conducted immunity, using BCI probes

ISO 11452-4 BCI immunity test set up, substitution method

1. 50 Ohm termination
2. BCI probe calibration fixture
3. 1301 probe
4. directional coupler
5. RF power meter or similar
6. 30 dB attenuator

ISO 11452-4 BCI immunity test set up, closed loop method

PC Software for immunity testing

Tekbox provides two software versions for EMC pre-compliance measurements
McVie provides a feature to control the tracking generator output frequency and level and carry out sweeps with constant tracking generator level.
McVie PRO provides a more sophisticated feature, which is able to carry out calibration sweeps for CDN and BCI based set ups. The resulting calibration file is used to set the tracking generator level during the immunity test sweep.
Tuckbox EM View currently supports Rigoll, Segment, Owen, R&S FPC and FPH series spectrum analyzers.

WARNING:
Never connect the output of the TBMDA-BCI25 directly to the input of a spectrum analyzer. Check the maximum input ratings of the spectrum analyzer and protect it with an appropriate attenuator. Open or shorted load is not recommended, potentially can cause
damage of the RF output stage. Use a ≥ 3 dB attenuator at the amplifier output, when driving loads with poor SWR.
Example:
Rigol DSA815 – maximum input power rating: +20dBm

Ordering Information

1 pc 6 dB attenuator, 1 pc 30dB / 50W attenuator with N-connectors, C13 Schuko power cord
TBMDA-BCI25-US| modulated power amplifier, 2 pcs 75cm N-male to N-male cables, 1 pc 6 dB attenuator, 1 pc 30dB / 50W attenuator with N-connectors, C13 US power cord
TBMDA-BCI25-UK| modulated power amplifier, 2 pcs 75cm N-male to N-male cables, 1 pc 6 dB attenuator, 1 pc 30dB / 50W attenuator with N-connectors, C13 English power cord
TBMDA-BCI25-AU| modulated power amplifier, 2 pcs 75cm N-male to N-male cables, 1 pc 6 dB attenuator, 1 pc 30dB / 50W attenuator with N-connectors, C13 Australian power cord

Table 5 – Ordering Information

History

Table 6 – History

www.tekbox.com
TekBox Digital Solutions Vietnam Pte. Ltd.
Factory 4, F5, Lot I-3B-1, Saigon Hi-Tech Park, Tan Phu Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

References

• Tekbox Digital Solutions |

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