SDI NMSC-2 User manual
NMSC-2
Quick Start Guide
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SDI
Table of Contents
Introduction………...……...………………………………………….. 3
Hardware Installation…...……………………………………………. 4
Quick Start Guide…………………………………………………….. 7
Sample results ……………………………………………………….. 19
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SDI
Introduction
The Noise Measurement System is a modular instrument that may be
customized to implement a versatile dual-channel noise measurement system. The
measurement system may be used to make both AM and PM noise measurements on
signals in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 45 GHz. Custom detector modules may be
added to extend the carrier frequency measurement range. The measurement system
is composed of modules that plug into the measurement system instrument crate. The
instrument crate dimensions are 5U X 19” X 16”. The instrument crate is included with
the purchase of a Noise Measurement System Controller (NMSC).
The NMSC-2 module contains a dual-channel spectrum analyzer. Dual channel
cross-correlation measurement techniques can be used to measure signals that are
lower than the system noise floor. The front panel has a 6.4 inch XGA color touch-
screen display. An external keyboard, monitor and printer can also be connected to the
controller. Remote measurements or monitoring are possible using the Windows XP
remote desktop software and an Ethernet connection.
There are six slots available on the noise measurement crate for the various
measurement modules. Two noise detector module series are currently offered that
cover the frequency range of 1 MHz to 45 GHz. The ND-1 series of modules covers
the frequency range of 1 MHz to 1 GHz. The ND-3 series of modules covers the
frequency range of 1 GHz to 45 GHz. Custom modules may be ordered to extend the
frequency range or implement special measurement topologies. All the noise detector
modules are designed to facilitate the measurement of sources as well as passive and
active components. For source measurements, the reference and device under test
are phase locked with programmable PLL bandwidth to accommodate measurements
of wide tuning voltage controlled oscillators to very stable ultra-low noise oven
stabilized oscillators. Noise in amplifiers, multipliers, mixers and other active and
passive components can be measured easily with the addition of one of the
programmable delay line modules.
Calibration of the Noise Measurement System can be accomplished easily
using a noise source module, NS-NM or a tone calibration module, TC-NM. The
system can also be calibrated by using the traditional beat note calibration method.
Calibrated noise source modules and tone calibration modules can be ordered for any
frequency range of interest.
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SDI
Hardware Installation
NMS INSTRUMENT CRATE DESCRIPTION
The NMS Instrument Crate is a NIM (Nuclear Instrumentation Module) standard
crate that has been configured to provide communication busses and power for the
Noise Measurement System Controller (NMSC) and Noise Detector Modules. Using
NIM modules not specifically designed for the Crate is not recommended and could
result in damage to the system.
The left front mounting plate of the crate contains the crate power switch and
power LED. Modules are installed onto the front of the crate by means of 12 nylon
guiding rails. There are 12 module spaces, however the NMS controller will occupy the
first six spaces, leaving six spaces for various Detector modules. Each module has two
or more thumb screws that secure it to the NMS Instrument Crate. The NMS Modules
are not “hot swappable”. This means that NMS Instrument Crate power supply needs
to be turned off, before removing or inserting any modules. This can be done by
turning the front panel power switch to the off position.
The NMS Controller must be installed into leftmost six spaces. Not doing so will
result in damage to the modules, and or controller. The rest of the spaces on the NMS
Crate can contain any of the detector, or synthesizer modules provided by
SpectraDynamics Inc.
The back of the NMS Instrument Crate has two circular power connectors and
LED indicators. The 14 pin connector delivers power to the NIM Modules while the 24
pin connector delivers power to the NMSC-2 controller.
NMS RACKMOUNT INSTALLATION
The NMS is designed to be rack mounted on standard 19" wide racks. The
NMS Crate has 5U non-removal rack mount handles, while the external power supply
has removable 2U rack handles. It is important that there is enough clearance behind
the NMS Crate and DC Power Module for proper air circulation. Blocking any fan
exhaust could cause the system to fail due to a thermal overload.
NMS BENCHTOP INSTALLATION
The NMS also supports tabletop operation. Four rubber feet are included with
the NMS Crate. These attach to the bottom of the crate and should only be used for
tabletop operation. Enough clearance behind the NMS Crate and DC Power Module is
necessary for proper air circulation. Blocking any fan exhaust could cause the system
to fail due to a thermal overload.
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SDI
Hardware Installation
NMS POWER SUPPLY INSTALLATION
The DC Power Module must be placed as far away from the NMS Instrument
Crate as possible. The power cables that are provided with the system are 8 feet in
length and must be securely connected to their mating connectors. The 24 wire cable
delivers power to the controller, while the 14 wire cable delivers power to the crate.
Once the DC and ATX power cables are connected, the DC Power Module must be
turned on. The Master Power Switch is located on the rear of the DC Power Module.
CAUTION! DO NOT TURN OFF THE MASTER SWITCH UNLESS POWER TO THE
NMSC-2 CONTROLLER AND THE NMS CRATE IS TURNED OFF. Turning this
switch off will immediately cut power to the computer and the NMS Instrument Crate.
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SDI
Hardware Installation
NMSC MODULE INSTALLATION
The NMS Controller is the heart of the noise measurement system. It is
composed of a Pentium Dual Core based computer and a high-speed digitizer. It also
has a resistive touch screen LCD. The Windows XP operating system was chosen
because of its popularity. The front panel also contains a standard USB 2.0 connector
and the NMSC power button. It is important not to use the NMSC controller as a
general-purpose computer since processor intensive applications will not allow the
noise measurement software to execute properly.
The back panel contains most of the input/output ports. There are four USB, two
serial, one firewire, one keyboard ,one mouse, one LAN and one parallel port that can
be used to connect to other peripherals such as printers, portable hard drives, etc.
There are also VGA, optical and audio connectors that can be used to connect to
external multimedia devices. The digitizer input and output ports are also located at the
back of the module. The Detector module output ports need to be connected to the
digitizer input ports before any measurement can be made.
The NMS Controller module slides into the first six module spaces of the NMS
Instrument Crate. There are 4 thumb screws that bolt the module in place. If a mouse,
keyboard or external display are to be used, these must be connected to the module
before turning the power on. Once the NMS Controller is in place, pressing the power
button will turn the computer on. Please be aware that turning the Master Power
Switch off while the computer is running could cause the computer hard drive to fail.
NOISE DETECTOR MODULE INSTALLATION
A variety of noise detector modules are available from SpectraDynamics Inc.
These modules can be installed into any of the six spaces to the right of the NMS
Controller. To install a module, slide the module into any of the six guiding rails and
bolt the module in place using the thumb screws attached to the front panel of the
module.
Once all modules are installed power may be applied to the NMS Crate by
turning on the "DC POWER" switch located on the front of the NMS Crate.
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SDI
Quick Start Guide
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the quick start guide is to go through the steps necessary to
make a single channel measurement. Most of the major functions in the software have
a quick description explaining their function. To access the quick description just point
the mouse or pointer to the button or tab and leave the pointer on the object for a few
seconds.
NMSC POWER ON
The NMSC-2 Controller has a POWER ON button on the front panel just below
the screen. The NMSC POWER ON button only powers the NMSC controller and will
not turn on power to the instrument crate. To apply power to any of the detectors you
must turn on the Chassis DC POWER SWITCH located on the lower left hand corner
of the chassis.
To turn on the NMSC controller press the POWER ON button. The NMSC
controller will boot up to a Windows XP screen. The measurement software
executables are under the C:\NMSC-2 directory. There will be a NMSC shortcut icon
on the desktop. Click on the icon to run the measurement system software.
NMSC CHASSIS POWER ON
The power to the noise detectors is supplied through the instrument crate. Make
sure that the crate power is OFF when a noise detector is inserted or extracted from
the system. THE NOISE DETECTORS ARE NOT HOT PLUGGABLE. The chassis
power is independent of the NMSC controller power and this power may be switched
on/off even when the measurement system software is running.
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SDI
Quick Start Guide
The NMSC software will load to an initial screen with the name of the software
and the company name. Once the system initializes it will change to the FFT
measurement screen shown below.
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SDI
Quick Start Guide
ASSIGN THE NOISE DETECTORS TO A MEASUREMENT CHANNEL
On the bottom of the FFT screen there is a series of tabs that access different
control pages. Select the tab marked Detector to access the Noise Detector Setup
Page. The following page will appear.
Press the ASSIGN DETECTOR button.
The assign detector screen will open.
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SDI
Quick Start Guide
Press the SCAN button.
This will scan the chassis for available noise detectors. The model number and
frequency range of the detectors should appear in the corresponding bin position on
the screen. Use the drop down selection button to select a Noise detector to be used
on Channel 1 of the system and if more than one detector is installed you may select
the Noise detector that is to be assigned to Channel 2 of the system.
Press the EXIT button once you have made your selection.
CONNECT RF CABLES
Once the detectors are assigned to a measurement channel make sure to
connect the IF OUTPUT of the detector to the NMSC controller CH 1 or CH 2 inputs
(as selected) on the rear of the NMSC controller. Make sure to use the supplied BNC
cables that have the ferrite bead clamped on the cable. The ferrite beads are essential
for low noise measurements.
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