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The Signal Path 125K

TSP #252 - Mini-Circuits 37dBm 1GHz Power Amplifier Repair, Teardown & RF Characterization Tutorial

The Signal Path 11.2K views October 27, 2024 5:14 PM

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In this episode Shahriar takes a look at benchtop power amplifier unit from Mini-Circuits. The amplifier operates from 0.5 - 1000MHz and can provide over 4W of saturated output power. The amplifier is not functional and provides no gain or output power.
The teardown reveals the "hand-made" nature of the multi-stage RF amplifier inside. Although the internal power supply is functional, none of the five internal RF stages have any supply voltage. The problem is traced to a broken small fuse soldered to the main PCB. A new fuse holder is installed.
The amplifier is extensively characterized for frequency response, Psat, P1dB, OIP3, NF as well as efficiency. Details of measurements techniques for each parameter is discussed in details.

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TSP #251 - Agilent 50GHz PSA (E4448A) Spectrum Analyzer Teardown, Repair & Experiments (Part 1)

The Signal Path 13.7K views October 18, 2024 11:08 PM

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In this episode Shahriar takes a look at the faulty Agilent 50GHz spectrum analyzer which does not power on. After tracing the issue and restoring the bootting sequence, it is clear that the instrument has several other issues. The attenuator step calibration failure is addressed which clears all startup errors. However, the instrument still does not measure some frequency bands correctly which points to a failure in the band-selection & mixer assembly. We will have to return to this instrument again in Part 2!

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TNP #52 - A Faxitron MX-20 TruFocus X-Ray Tube Teardown & Analysis

The Signal Path 9.2K views October 12, 2024 9:06 PM

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In this episode Shahriar tales a close look at a defective X-Ray tube from a Faxitron MX-20 x-ray machine. The tube overloads the high-voltage power supply and does not produce any x-ray. The protective mold is removed from the tube to reveal its inner design. The glow of the heating element is also shown.

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TSP #250 - Tektronix TriMode Active 10GHz (TDP7000) Probe/Tips Review, Teardown & Experiments

The Signal Path 12.7K views October 12, 2024 6:00 PM

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In this episode Shahriar takes a close look at the TDP7000 Series TriMode Probe and accompanying active probe tips.

https://www.tek.com/en/datasheet/trimode(tm)-probe-family-1

The review is organized as follows:

00:00 - Introductions
01:23 - TriMode principle of operation
02:37 - Using the 2.92mm/SMA 50-Ohm probe tip adapter, single-ended, differential, common-mode measurements
10:39 - Solder-in flexible probe tip, measurements of a PCI-E 2.5Gbps data stream, eye diagrams, jitter analysis
20:22 - Differential browser use-case, in-circuit synthesizer measurements, frequency domain analysis
25:47 - Detailed look at the flexible, solder-in probe tip, front-end design, integrated circuit reverse engineering
35:58 - Concluding remarks

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TNP #51 - Thorlabs PM320E Dual Channel Optical Power & Energy Meter Teardown, Repair & Experiments

The Signal Path 11.4K views September 15, 2024 8:29 PM

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In this episode Shahriar takes a look at faulty Thorlabs optical power meter which has been scored from eBay at a very low price. The listing shows the screen with a white background without any text. Upon close inspection however, it is clear that the screen contrast is the problem. The fault is traced to a basic voltage setting problem (230V versus 115V) which was causing the +/-15V supplies to be significantly under biased.

With the screen issue resolved, the unit is paired with two C-series optical detectors. Various laser power measurements & experiments demonstrate the full functionality of the unit.

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TSP #249 - Rohde & Schwarz MXO-5, 2-GHz, 8-Channel, 12-Bit Oscilloscope Teardown & Trigger Zone Exp.

The Signal Path 23.3K views August 23, 2024 9:56 PM

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In this episode Shahriar takes a look at the Rohde & Schwarz MXO-5 Series, their first 8-Channel oscilloscope:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/oscilloscopes/rs-mxo-5-oscilloscope_334228.html

The instrument sports some of the best noise, linearity and acquisition speeds in the industry. With R&S custom ASICs, the instrument provides hardware accelerated time & frequency domain measurements (FFTs) as well as a unique Zone Triggering mechanic. This video focuses on the teardown of the acquisition board as well as several demos of the Zone Triggering feature.

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TNP #50 - Associated Research 5000VAC/6000VDC HypotUltra 7854 Dielectric Analyzer Teardown & Repair

The Signal Path 11.2K views July 27, 2024 7:35 PM

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-= Description coming soon! =-

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TNP #49 - Keysight 34420A 7.5 Digit Nano Volt / Micro Ohm Meter Teardown, Repair & Verification

The Signal Path 12.9K views July 25, 2024 11:00 AM

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In this quick episode Shahriar repairs an HP 34420A. This 7.5 Digit meter is specialized for making low voltage & low resistance measurements. In 4W mode, it can provide excellent resistance measurements in the micro-Ohm range.
This unit does not make any measurements on Channel 1 while Channel 2 reports the correct readings. An overview of the front-end schematics points to the likely culprit: the solid-state relays responsible for channel switching. After replacing the components the instruments returns to normal. Despite its age and the this repair, voltage and resistance measurements are remarkably close to their ideal values as compared with voltage & resistance calibrator instruments.

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TSP #248 - Zurich Instruments MFIA Impedance Analyzer (Z = 1mΩ - 1TΩ) Review, Teardown & Experiments

The Signal Path 14.4K views July 24, 2024 2:50 PM

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In this episode Shahriar reviews the Zurich Instruments MFIA Impedance analyzer. The unit is capable of measuring impedances from 1mΩ to 1TΩ and across a frequency range of 1mHz to 5MHz while providing a basic accuracy of 0.05%. However, this instrument is much more than just an Impedance Analyzer, it is build on a lock-in amplifier architecture with sophisticated capabilities and features:

https://www.zhinst.com/americas/en/products/mfia-impedance-analyzer

The review is organized as follows:

00:00:00 - Introductions
00:00:39 - Digital lock-in fundamental theory of operation
00:06:00 - Block diagrams, LCR capabilities, performance metrics
00:14:29 - MFIA I/O and interface overview
00:15:48 - Detailed teardown, circuit components, design architecture
00:21:57 - GUI introduction, software flow, API capabilities
00:24:51 - MFITF Impedance Fixture details
00:25:38 - Calibration & initial measurement setup, numeric display
00:30:41 - Frequency sweep, self-resonance, plotting functions
00:34:07 - High-Q filter measurements, phase & impedance analysis
00:36:07 - Varactor CV characteristic measurements, bias & signal sweep
00:39:32 - Trend sweeps, temperature measurements, statistical plots
00:43:52 - Threshold Unit, generating waveforms, AUX IOs, DAQ capabilities
00:49:18 - Lock-in amplifier overview & signal flow diagrams
00:51:23 - Ultra-sound radar, spectrum view, digitizer, AUX routing
01:00:48 - Zurich Instruments product ecosystem overview
01:01:48 - Concluding remarks

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TSP #247 - World's Largest Microwave Industry Exhibition - IEEE Microwave Symposium, Washington 2024

The Signal Path 14.5K views June 28, 2024 10:48 AM

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In this episode Shahriar visits the Industry Trade Show at IMS Microwave Week held in Washington DC this year. Although it is impossible to capture everything at this amazing event, here is a look at some of new products and components from 25 of the vendors at the show.

00:00 - Introductions
00:53 - R&S: https://rohde-schwarz.com
09:55 - Keysight: https://keysight.com
15:23 - Signal Hound: https://signalhound.com
18:24 - Millibox: https://millibox.org
19:46 - MPI Corp: https://mpi-corporation.com
21:56 - Junkosha: https://junkosha.com
23:38 - AARONIA: https://aaronia.com
26:17 - Focus Microwave: https://focus-microwaves.com
28:54 - VDI: https://vadiodes.com
31:56 - MI-Wave: https://miwv.com
34:32 - Flann: https://flann.com
36:06 - Eravant: https://eravant.com
37:28 - Tabor Electronics: https://taborelec.com
38:39 - Swiss-to-12: https://swissto12.com
40:25 - Maury Microwave: https://maurymw.com
43:58 - Copper Mountain: https://coppermountaintech.com
45:21 - Microsanj: https://microsanj.com
47:05 - eV Technologies: https://ev-technologies.com
48:35 - Siglent: https://siglentna.com
50:29 - Tektronix: https://tek.com
52:54 - UNI-T: https://uni-trend.com
54:02 - GGB PicoProbe: https://ggb.com
54:44 - Presidio: https://presidiocomponents.com
56:14 - RF-Lambda: https://rflambda.com
57:41 - IronWood: https://ironwoodelectronics.com
58:51 - Closing remarks

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TNP #48 - Multi-Stage Turbomolecular Pump (Turbo-Pump) Theory of Operation, Assembly & Experiment

The Signal Path 46.6K views June 21, 2024 10:15 PM

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-= Description coming soon! =-

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TSP #246 - High-Voltage Amplification, Signal Generation, Power Supply Design Tutorial & Experiments

The Signal Path 43.8K views May 25, 2024 6:18 PM

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In this episode Shahriar dives into the world of high-voltage circuit design. In order to appreciate the engineering involved in the design of a 40kV amplifier, various design techniques for power supplies and their applications are presented. This tutorial is organized as follows:

00:00 - Introductions
00:29 - Amplifier design specifications and challenges
03:18 - Typical high-voltage generation using transformers and its limitations
06:41 - Open-loop transformer high-voltage power supply for discharge tube use-cases
10:18 - Inaccurate HV power supply making precision isolation measurements with Fluke 1587 FC
12:39 - Stanford Research PS350 high-voltage DC power supply design and measurements
21:44 - Vitrek V74 HiPot safety tester design, applications and example breakdown measurement
27:01 - Architecture of a high-voltage amplifier circuit, circuit diagram and theory of operation
32:43 - Teardown & analysis of the Trek Model 20/20B +/- 20kV amplifier instrument
42:02 - Linearity and waveform measurements of the high-voltage amplifier instrument
46:26 - Making ultra-high voltage time-domain measurements using a capacitive divider
48:45 - Discharge tube response as a function of AC frequency & high-power sparks
50:12 - Concluding remarks

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