Gary @N8DMT
Rainy day in EN52 Chicagoland - time to setup and test a Mini-Circuits ZX47-55 RF detector module to see if working or not. Measured DC Out vs 100 MHz RF level In and DC Out at -20dBm In while sweeping from 0.1 to 6 GHz. Result: It works as a RF detector module but DC output is not easy to use (want dBm, got neg-slope DC mV instead). Might make a LabVIEW program to display/chart dBm with Digilent AD3, or maybe write code for a standalone Arduino w/ display showing dBm… #RF #LabVIEW #Arduino
May 20 at 6:35pmWeb
Show threadGary @N8DMTMay 21
Believe that I always learn something (sometimes lots!) while writing code for should-be-simple lab projects. This is certainly true with this simple RF power meter project. Here’s the Community Edition LabVIEW front panel that is reading the Mini-Circuits ZX47-55 power detector (via Digilent AD3 converter) while being driven by my ADALM-PLUTO SDR TX output at 100 MHz at -40 dBm. Still more fun ahead with this before calling it good enough. #HamRadio #RF #SDR #Digilent #GoodStart
Show threadGary @N8DMTMay 22
Round 3: Comparing Mini-Circuits ZX47-55 detector with TinySA-Ultra. Setup a test using 100 MHz +13 dBm test oscillator, 10 dB pad, 0-70dB 10dB step attenuator, 2-way splitter yielding two measurement paths. RF measurement devices cost similar, ~$140 USD. TinySA-Ultra is more accurate and has wider range (and many other functions), but far slower. ZX47-55 is faster with a more limited measurement range. Outcome: Both have a place in the lab (more is always better, right?). #HamRadio #RF
Show threadGary @N8DMTMay 24
A few more RF Detectors tested with the fixed 100 MHz setup. These detectors were tested without the 10 dB fixed pad in the setup to allow going up to +10 input (with 10dB step attenuator set to zero position). Outputs from these diode detectors are measured in volts DC and measured with a DMM. Found a bad Narda 4506 that was thought to be good, so worthwhile measuring the lab stock today. #HamRadio #RF
Show threadGary @N8DMTMay 25
Last toot on the Mini-Circuits ZX47-55 RF Detector: Explore AM demodulation functionality. Setup detector with Digilent AD3 interface and Waveforms software with ADALM-Pluto SDR driven by SATSAGEN software to make a few AM demod measurements. Captures below show 50% and 90% modulation detected waveforms. SATSAGEN software has other Pluto modulation functions of interest including WFM, NFM, Ext, ASK, FSK, and NPR. #HamRadio #RFTest