TSP #233 - How good is an $85, 10GHz Power Sensor? Detailed Teardown, Analysis & Experiments
35.1K views
October 14, 2023 8:22 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a look at an inexpensive power sensor module with built-in battery and a tiny LCD screen. The instrument claims a large dynamic range of -60dBm to +30dBm!
A leaky internal battery prevents the unit form powering on initially. After analysis of the chemical leakage (using an Agilent Resolve Raman) as well as repair of the battery, the unit return to normal operation. A detailed teardown of the sensor is presented along with the theory of operation for the front-end RF circuits and sub-components. The unit is then measured against a R&S 3-Diode Path NRP power sensor. Although it does not perform nearly as well, it can be used within +/-2dBm accuracy. The unit is then measured against its highest claimed frequency of operation and input power.
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TNP #39 - Faxitron MX-20 Digital Micro-Focus X-Ray Machine Teardown, Repair & Experiments
27.8K views
September 17, 2023 4:16 PM
In this episode Shahriar repairs his Faxitron MX-20 digital x-ray system. Although the machine has been producing beautiful images for years, recently it has been outputting out-of-focus images intermittently.
The principle of x-ray focusing and beam-spot generation is presented along with potential electronic methods of achieving focus. The teardown of the unit reveals the main x-ray tube controller PCB which houses the focus control high-voltage modules. Since the problem is intermittent, a reed switch is also suspected. The high-voltage module is measured and appears fully functional. Replacing the reed switch corrects the out-of-focus images. Several x-ray images showcases the sharpness of the unit after the repair.
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TSP #232 - Near-THz Sub-Harmonic Mixers (Tektronix 75 - 140GHz) Tutorial, Teardown & Experiments
31.2K views
August 12, 2023 8:05 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a deep dive into near-THz sub-harmonic mixers. To demonstrate the concepts, measurements and teardowns a set of Tektronix Sub-Harmonic mixers have been acquired (WM 490-F & WM 490-W) which operate from 90-140GHz & 75-110GHz respectively. This video is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions
00:50 – Acquired near-THz sub-harmonic mixers & diplexers
01:26 – Theoretical background, non-linear devices, harmonic generation
06:05 – Spectrum analyzers utilizing sub-harmonic mixers, signal ID
08:27 – Tektronix sub-harmonic mixer design, schematic & principle of operation
15:11 – Mixer diode characterization using Keithley SMUs & I/V tracer application
19:59 – Mixer teardown, analysis and microscope view of THz diode
28:07 – Diplexer architecture & characterization using a 4-port Siglent network analyzer
33:24 – Complete near-THz down-conversion setup using a x6 mm-wave multiplier source and Tektronix MSO68-B oscilloscope, conversion loss, harmonic number verification, signal ID process
45:35 – Using a ~100GHz carrier to determine the RPM of an optical chopper
48:15 – Concluding remarks
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TSP #231 - Sanko BN100+ 300kHz - 6.5GHz USB Vector Network Analyzer Review, Teardown & Experiments
18.9K views
August 7, 2023 7:28 PM
In this episode Shahriar reviews the Sanko BN100+ USB vector network analyzer which has been designed in partnership with Bird RF:
https://www.sankorf.com/products/bn100-plus
The review is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions
00:27 – Instrument front & back panels
02:15 – Teardown, internal architecture, front-end coupler design
06:03 – Firmware distribution
06:36 – VNA output signal performance, sweep types, sweep speed, harmonics (THD), power sweep
14:00 – Calibration, built-in models, calibration procedure & standards
15:35 – Port to port isolation, noise floor, minimum detectable response
16:18 – Extreme filter dynamic range measurements
18:07 – VGA measurements, dynamic s-parameters, trigger in/out
24:11 – Time domain analysis, impulse response measurements
26:27 – Frequency accuracy measurements
27:01 – Concluding remarks
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TSP #230 - A Real-Life Tricorder! Agilent Raman Resolve Through-Barrier Chemical Analyzer
34.3K views
July 20, 2023 7:49 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a close look at the Resolve Handheld Raman Analyzer for Chemical Identification from Agilent. This instrument resembles a real-life Tricorder with its ability to identify chemicals through various opaque containers.
https://www.agilent.com/en/product/molecular-spectroscopy/raman-spectroscopy/handheld-raman-chemical-detection-systems/resolve-handheld-raman-analyzer-for-through-barrier-chemical-identification
This video explores every aspect of this instrument’s design from principle of operation to the modern electronics required to realize its function. The video is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions & first through-barrier scan example
02:46 – Raman history, invention & Nobel prize
04:41 – Infrared absorption, Raman spectroscopy theory, challenges and importance of fluoresce
10:49 – Fluorescence example & measurement using Uranium glass & HeCd laser
15:21 – Other applications of fluorescence such as microscopy
16:48 – Nonlinear optical effect and frequency doubling crystals, measurement of green laser
20:13 – Other applications of nonlinear optics, autocorrelation instrument to measure femtosecond pulses
23:18 – Electron excitation of atoms to produce photon emissions using Helium & Neon gasses
24:23 – Components required to build a Raman spectrometer
25:15 – Monochromator & spectrometer architectures, limitations & design
29:07 – Agilent Raman Spectrometer overall architecture, Raman chemical fingerprints
31:10 – Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) theory & application
32:43 – Agilent Raman Resolve use-cases, accessories and application scenarios
36:03 – Measurements & identification of spilled unknown powders & liquids
40:53 – Through-barrier plastics & glass measurement of mixed liquids & acids
42:52 – Agilent Resolve extensive library & material categories, Reach-back support
44:03 – Chemical identification examples using the Vial accessory
47:26 – Trace chemical concentration & sensitivity measurement
48:34 – Concluding remarks
Data TNG image credit:
https://www.startrek.com/article/cosplaying-data-star-trek-next-generation
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