TNP #24 – Melles-Griot Triple-Channel Piezoelectric Controller Teardown & Experiments

November 19, 2022 No comments

In this episode Shahriar presents a three channel Melles-Griot piezoelectric controller which can be used in conjunction with piezoelectric actuator for exceptionally precise movements. The instrument is capable of producing three independent voltages up to 75V per channel. In addition, the unit can use external SUM/DIFF analog signals and adjust the output voltages accordingly.
The instrument is used with a Thor Labs XYZ stage to achieve sub-micron movement accuracy and control. The reverse effects also shown where a mechanical shock to to the XYZ stage produces pulses of voltage.

http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath​​​
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath

TSP #216 – Analog Devices GaAs 81-86GHz I/Q Direct Down-Converter MMIC Detailed RFIC Analysis

November 12, 2022 No comments

In this episode Shahriar reverse engineers an ADI GaAs 81-86GHz I/Q Down-Converter MMIC. The receiver includes a x6 LO multiplier chain and direct-down-conversion architecture based on pHEMPT single-balanced mixers using fundamental LO frequency.
The RFIC block diagram & die are examined in detailed. The live microscope images are annotated with signal flow drawings to describe various implemented blocks and IC functions.

http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath​​​
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath

TSP #215 – R&S NRP Triple-Diode, NRQ6 Frequency Selective Power Sensor & NRX Power Meter Review/Exp.

November 6, 2022 No comments

In this episode Shahriar looks at the ecosystem of R&S power sensors & power meter. In particular, the NRP Triple-Diode Path Power Sensor & the unique NRQ6 Frequency Selective Power Sensor:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/rf-and-microwave-power-sensors/rs-nrpxxs-sn-sn-v-three-path-diode-power-sensors_63493-99587.html

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/rf-and-microwave-power-sensors/rs-nrq6-frequency-selective-power-sensor_63493-533642.html

The R&S NRX Power Meter can be used to interface with a wide range of power sensors as well:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/power-meter-base-units/rs-nrx-power-meter_63493-533644.html

This review is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions.
00:40 – NRP40SN 3-Path Diode Power Sensor hardware overview.
01:21 – Triple-Diode sensor architecture, benefits, principle of operation.
05:59 – Experiment setup, AM modulation glitch, web interface design, power measurements, high-sampling rate, trigger setup, trace view, R&S Power Viewer windows software.
16:17 – NRQ6 Frequency Selective Power Sensor hardware overview.
17:10 – NRQ architecture, principle of operation, advantages & disadvantages, DSP functions.
21:51 – Experiment setup, multi-frequency signal generation & interference, blocker signals.
23:33 – Web GUI interface, Signal Check function, auto-set, IF BW setup, I/Q, trace view, attenuation & averaging, blocker signal impact, catching frequency hopping events, ACLR measurements, additional features.
37:19 – NRX Power Meter overview & teardown.
40:49 – Experiment setup, input VSWR & power amplifier output power measurement.
40:01 – NRX GUI, multi-sensor measurement, sensor setups & measurement features.
45:48 – Concluding remarks.

http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath​​​
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath

TNP #23 – Tektronix THDP0200 ±1.5kV High Voltage Differential Probe Teardown, Repair & Analysis

October 17, 2022 No comments

In this episode Shahriar repair a Tektronix high voltage probe. The probe is incorrectly identified when plugged into a TekVPI interface and causes the scope to freeze and fail communication with the probe firmware.
With the help of xDev.com the firmware of the probe is compared with a known good probe.

https://xdevs.com/fix/thdp_tmdp/#tekisp

The probe contains two different microprocessors to handle various probe functions and configurations. The new EEPROM content corrects the problem and points to some interesting conclusions on how the probe is identified by the scope. Measurements confirm the probe is now functional.

http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath​​​
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath

TNP #22 – Zeiss Axioskop 2 MOT LED Retrofit Revisited & Bright/Dark Field, Polarization Microscopy

October 8, 2022 No comments

In this episode Shahriar returns to the microscope LED upgrade challenge. The highest light density LED is used as a point source to improve Kohler illumination. Both transmission & reflected light sources are upgraded while maintaining the control purely through the microscope controls. The LED used can be found here:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/new-energy/XHP70B-00-0000-0D0BP250E-SB01/7428211

Several images are also presented using bright field, dark field as well as polarization manipulation.

http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath​​​
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath

« Older Entries   Recent Entries »