LOTUS MAN-00001 Block Up-Down Converter User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- LOTUS
Table of Contents
LOTUS MAN-00001 Block Up-Down Converter
INTRODUCTION
Lotus Software-Defined Block Up/Down Converter (BUDC) User Manual provides general introduction, installation instructions and operation for Lotus USB programmable Block Up/Down Converters.
Model Section Guide
Model Name| LO
Freq. (GHz)
| RF
Freq. (GHz)
| IF
Freq. (GHz)
| RF
Return Loss (dB)
| LO
Input Return Loss (dB)
| IF
Return Loss (dB)
| Input 1dB Compression (dB)| Voltage (V)| Current (mA)| PRESET
Freq. (GHZ)
| Control Protocols
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
BUDC2G14G| 1~12.8| 2~14| 0.5~6| >9| >10| >10| 14| 5~6 or USB-C| 235| 6|
USB
BUDC3G20G| 1~20| 3~20| 0.5~9| >9| >10| >10| 16| 5~6 or USB-C| 355| 10|
USB
BUC3G6G| 6.5| 3~6| 0.5~3.5| >9| >10| >10| 16| 5~6 or USB-C| 422| 6.5|
USB
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SOFTWARE SETUP
For Windows 10 and Linux, the USB Drivers will be installed automatically. For other Windows operation systems, we need to install the USB driver.
Application Software
Lotus programmable Block Up/Down Converter does not need to install any
software. Lotus provides an executable (Windows Certified Program) file
BUDC.exe to download on our web site.
User can add shot cut to this executable program on the desktop in order to
quickly access this control program.
USING LOTUS BUDC GUI
All LOTUS BUDC models share the same GUI interface to allow easy control. To start the program, double click BUDC icon and get started!
Starting the BUDC GUI
Startup Screen
When the BUDC GUI is started, it will show the connect options to allow user
to choose USB Serial Com Port or Ethernet Control.
USB Serial Com Port
LOTUS BUDC are driver-less USB HID compatible device that uses virtual serial
com port as an interface to user control. After user click OK button to select
USB Serial Com Port, the USB Serial Port Configuration Screen will pop up to
show the available LOTUS USB device to choose. Figure 2 show an example USB
Serial Port Configuration Screen that has two Lotus USB BUDC Devices.
When the available USB BUDC device is shown, it will list the BUDC Part
Number, Serial Number and what Com port is connected.
For example, the selected BUDC in Figure 2 shows BUDC with PN: BUDC2G14G with
SN: 211201 and is connected to COM36.
After user selects the BUDC and click OK, the BUDC Control GUI will show in
Figure 3.
Control BUDC with GUI Program
The main screen of the BUDC control GUI will appear after user selects the
desired BUDC on COM port. In this section, we will illustrate how to use GUI
to control BUDC. Figure 4 shows a GUI for control of BUDC2G14G.
Main GUI Screen Functions:
| # | Name | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LO Frequency | Set LO Frequency |
| 2 | LO Frequency Step Size | Set LO Frequency Step Size |
| 3 | SCPI Command Window | Allows user input SCPI command to directly |
control the BUDC
4| File Dropdown Menu| This allows user to select Dropdown Menu to
Change the Device or clear the SCPI command window
SCPI COMMAND WINDOW
LOTUS Programmable BUDC GUI also provides a SCPI Command Window for direct
communication with BUDC using LOTUS simplified SCPI commands or full name
commands. 
Figure 5 shows an example SCPI Command Window GUI. Figure 5 shows a “*IDN?” command was sent to BUDC and BUDC response with the Manufacture Name (LOTUS), Part Number (BUC3G6G), Serial Number (212501) and Firmware Version (v21.07.10). User can clear command window by select File->Clear Terminal.
SCPI COMMAND
The following SCPI command can be typed through many tools. The example tools are:
- Keysight Connection Expert
- Putty
- Tera Terminal
| # | Name | Descriptions | Example Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | *IDN? | Identity | LOTUS,BUDC2G14G,211201,v21.02.17 |
| 2 | FREQ? | Query LO Frequency | 5.5e+09 (5.5GHz). Equivalent command “FQ” |
| 3 | FREQ 5.5GHz | Set LO Frequency to 5.5GHz | Equivalent command “FQ?” |
| 4 | SAVE | Save settings to Flash. Power up will retrieve saved settings. |
NA
5| PRESET| Set the LO Frequency to Preset Frequency| BUC3G6G: LO
Frequency 6.5GHz BUDC2G14G: LO Frequency 6GHz
BUDC3G20G: LO Frequency 10GHz
6| LOCK?| Query PLL Lock Status. 1: Lock 0: Unlock| 1 (Lock)
7| PWR 31| Set LO Power Level to 31| NA
8| PWR?| Query LO Power Level| 31
9| TEMP?| Query PCB Board Temperature| 33 (C°)
The “*IDN?” command will list product company (LOTUS), product name
(BUDC2G14G), Serial Number (211201) and firmware version (v21.02.17).
Please note that Command 7 (PWR 31) is only used for debugging and
troubleshooting. The Internal LO power level is automatically set for the
up/down converter operation.
Please note that Command “TEMP?” is not available before Firmware v21.07.10. A
Temperature sensor is added to the PCB board after Firmware v21.07.10.
SCPI Command using PuTTY Software
In this section, we will describe how to use third party software PuTTY to
send SCPI command to BUDC.
When BUDC is connected to Windows PC, it is automatically recognized as
Virtual COM port. Figure 6 shows an example that the COM36 is recognized as
the BUDC is connected to the PC. When the BUDC is disconnected from PC, the
COM36 will disappear.
Figure 7 shows the default Serial Port Configuration window. BUDC Virtual COM
port will use default Putty setting for communication. If you prefer Local
Echo (you can see your typed SCPI command on the terminal) and Line Editing
(you can edit the command), please refer to Figure 8. Figure 9 shows an
example PuTTY command window and results from SCPI commands using COM36.
FIRMWARE UPDATE
LOTUS Block up/Down Converters feature an improved bootloader that makes it
easier than ever to update firmware onto the BUDC. Instead of need drivers or
a separate program for flashing new firmware (Jlink or others), user can
simply drag a file onto a removable drive.
The first step to upload the Firmware is to triggering bootloader in the BUDC.
It is easily done by double tapping the reset button when the BUDC is powered
by USB-C. In order to do this, the user will have to open the BUDC to expose
the Reset Button on PCB board.
Once the bootloader on BUDC is active you will see the BUDC Device will be re-
installed into Operation system as a removable drive. The installation is
automatic. The new drive will appear on your computer as LOTUSBOOT.
Once the bootloader is successfully connected you can open the drive and browse the virtual file system. It should have three files:
- CURRENT.UF2 – The current contents of the microcontroller flash.
- INDEX.HTM – Links to Microsoft MakeCode.
- INFO_UF2.TXT – Includes bootloader version info.
To update new Firmware, simply drag the new UF2 file onto the drive. After the
file is finished copying, the bootloader will automatically restart. This
usually causes a warning about an unsafe eject of the drive. However, it is
not a problem. The bootloader knows when everything is copied successfully.
You may get an alert from the OS that the file is being copied without its
properties. You can just click Yes.
You may also get a complaint that the drive was ejected without warning. Don’t
worry about this. The drive only ejects once the bootloader has verified and
completed the process of writing the new code. After dragging the new UF2 file
and the firmware is updated!
Revision Notes:
| Version | Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| A | 06/14/2021 | First Full Version for Release. |
| B | 07/06/2021 | Add Temperature Sensor SCPI Command |
| C | 07/12/2021 | Add modifications for BUC3G6G |
References:
- Keysight E8257D/67D & E8663D PSG Signal Generators
- Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) 1993.0.
- Lotus Digital Step Attenuator SCPI Command Manual