RF Explorer Signal Generator User Manual Updated to Firmware Version 1.
RF Explorer ® RF Explorer is an affordable Handheld Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator family of products with a growing list of features. This little powerful unit is the tool you need to reduce the implementation time and cost of your next wireless project. Updates of the RF Explorer User Manual are available online. Please consider the environment before printing this document.
Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Description of main features ............................................................................................................................... 6 Feature ..............................................................................................................................................................
FCC and CE regulations ...................................................................................................................................... 29 License ...............................................................................................................................................................
Introduction RF Explorer Signal Generator has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use. There is no need to read large user manuals to get advantage of its advanced functionality. For simple actions, only a keyboard click is needed to start transmitting signals. For most advanced features like Tracking SNA, the RF Explorer for Windows software will easily guide through steps required so analyzing RF devices becomes a few minutes task for even the most novice users.
Description of main features The RF Explorer Signal Generator is a powerful, wideband fully programmable RF signal generator. It is the perfect companion for Spectrum Analyzer RF Explorer product line. As a standalone unit, RFE6Gen can generate CW and Sweep signals by selecting embedded menu options. When connected to a PC, it can be fully programmed with the RF Explorer for Windows software tool.
Graphics LCD 128x64 pixels, great visibility outdoors PC Windows client supports Windows XP/Vista/Win7 both 32 and 64bits Functional modes: o CW signal generator at any frequency in the range o Tracking generator functionality working together with RF Explorer when connected to the same PC.
Connecting RF Explorer Signal Generator The unit includes 50 ohm impedance RF connector standard SMA format. All models have a SMA left connector installed and, optionally, some future models may have a second SMA connector at the right position for extended range and functionality. The unit will automatically start running on USB power when a compatible mini-USB cable is connected.
Signal Generator mode - Main Screen Upon start, RF Explorer Signal Generator goes to this mode automatically. The RF output power is disabled by default and it is important to connect a LOAD in all cases before enabling the RF port. The below screen is an example of a RF signal generator mode configured at 5.9GHz (5900000KHz) with the internal 30dB Attenuator enabled, and the power switch in mode 0 (lowest possible power).
Power Level Switch: The Signal Generator includes an internal power switch, with a nominal 3dB increment on each step. There are a total of 4 steps. When combined with the internal attenuator, a total of 8 possible power values can be selected. Power mode: The Signal Generator describe the step required to enable the RF output signal, at the selected frequency and selected power level.
o Using buttons UP and DOWN on this screen will increase or decrease the selected RF power, one step at a time. For instance if the unit is in Attenuator:1 and Switch:0 (lowest possible power) a press on the UP button will increase into Attenuator:1 and Switch:1. Another press will increase to Switch:2, etc. The Switch is sequentially increased up to the max level Switch:3 and, if the Attenuator is 1 at that point, it will be disabled to increase the power in the next increment with UP button.
Using menus There are several menus in RF Explorer Signal Generator. They are organized on different screens, which you can iterate through by using the [Menu] key. If you click [Menu] button multiple times, you will visit every one of them: Optionally, you can use the [Left] and [Right] keys to go from one screen to another. You can exit from a menu anytime by using the [Return] key.
The first time you click on [Menu] button in a RF Explorer session, Frequency Menu will open. This may change as we will see later, so every time you click on [Menu] from Signal Generator main screen, you actually re-open the last menu you were working with. In this way you save time by not having to navigate through all the menus to go the same place you were before.
Operational Mode menu The menu display different functional modes available in your Analyzer. Use [Up] and [Down] arrow keys to select the desired mode and click on [Enter] to activate it immediately. RF Generator mode is the default mode, this is used for carrier CW signals Frequency Sweep, available by upgrading to Firmware v1.12 Beta 14 or newer, allows a programmable frequency sweep to cover every frequency from start/stop and sweep hop.
Note: if you enable this screen for more than 30 seconds while connected to USB port and power switch in the unit set to ON, RF Explorer will automatically go to low power mode and will switch the LCD off, but will keep charging the battery. This is suggested when you intent to charge the internal battery but not make use of the unit for measurement.
Frequency Menu CW Freq: CW frequency selected for transmission in MHZ Freq Step: Frequency step in MHZ used in Sweep modes and LEFT-RIGHT button increments in CW mode. In Frequency Sweep mode, this represents the frequency hop used while sweeping.
Power Menu Attenuator: internal 30dB nominal attenuator enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). Power Switch: 3dB nominal increment power level switch, 4 possible positions (0-3) being 0 the lowest level and 3 the highest level. Understanding RF Power Modes The RF Explorer Signal Generator delivers 8 different power levels, nominally specified as per table below: RF output power (nominal) 0dBm (1mW) -3dBm (0.5mW) -6dBm (0.25mW) -9dBm (0.125mW) -30dBm (1uW) -33dBm (0.5uW) -36dBm (0.25uW) -39dBm (0.
Configuration Menu Backlight: Several levels of display backlight. RF Explorer has good visibility indoor and outdoor, including direct sunlight. The level of backlight should be the appropriate for each condition, and you may want to limit backlight brightness to preserve battery capacity. Contrast: There are 10 different display contrast levels to choose from. USB Bauds: Default is 500Kbps, which is also the recommended setting.
Charging the internal battery IMPORTANT Never charge your device unattended or in any place where there is a risk of fire. Never store RF Explorer in a place where temperature may go beyond 50ºC (122F). A car can heat up incredibly quickly in the sun, especially in the summer, and damage or reduce the lifetime of your battery if stored in such an environment.
power switch to ON forever the battery will be depleted to a safe 3V level where battery protection circuitry will reduce the leakage to about 50uA. In any case, the internal battery charger will take care of the battery conditions once it gets powered back from the USB and will charge the battery using an internal efficient algorithm.
Expansion Modules RF Explorer Signal Generator includes an internal expansion port to enhance the RF power capabilities and frequency coverage of the main unit with RF Explorer Signal Generator compatible Expansion Modules. Note: Spectrum Analyzer modules cannot be connected to the Signal Generator, they are incompatibles and have a changed gender connector to avoid any change of connecting incompatible modules.
Protecting your instrument from damage Please protect the RF port from static discharge. This is ESD1 sensitive device. The RF output port is DC decoupled and can sustain up to 25V DC external voltage. 1 http://en.wikipedia.
RF Explorer Holder This is a great accessory for the RF Explorer Signal Generator, a high quality stand / holder for the desk while USB cable is connected. The holder is made of robust laser cut blue acrylic and has provisioned room for a USB cable to connect to a PC. The USB cable can be connected from behind the holder or any of the two lateral large holes on each side. They're even large enough for bulky USB cables with ferrite beads.
RF Explorer accessories RF Explorer uses standard SMA quality connectors. By using adapters you can connect RF Explorer to any RF device or antenna. You can buy SMA adapters and devices on any RF shop, but sometimes is difficult to find what you need and have the certainty the connector you are ordering is the right one. Therefore we have included a selection of quality connectors, adapters and RF devices that are fully compatible with RF Explorer.
RF Adapter RP-SMA Jack to SMA Plug straight-long version Some WiFi antennas and cables are designed for RP-SMA (reverse polarity SMA) and cannot be connected to a standard SMA plug. RP-SMA is a variation of the SMA connector specification which reverses the gender of the interface. The reason for that was a decision made by FCC in order to prevent end-users from manipulating certified WiFi devices at home, using other available SMA antennas.
50cm length - SMA male to SMA female RF pigtail Coaxial Cable RG316 RF cables are required when connecting RF Explorer to other instruments or devices. This 50cm cable is good for any frequency up to 3GHz, and can fit RF Explorer with any external SMA-male device or antenna. If you need extra length for your connection, you can easily daisy chain two or more of these cables in series.
SMA Attenuator - 10dB SMA attenuators are used to reduce the input power, and therefore enable RF Explorer to measure stronger signals. It is also used to protect the input SMA port of RF Explorer when unknown strong signals may be in the environment, so you can use this attenuator on demand. You can easily unplug the attenuator when measurement is for weak signals. You can also combine multiple attenuators to get additional values.
SMA Male/Female Adaptor All RF connectors wear with use. The RF Explorer SMA ports are subject to minimal wear each time the connector interface is coupled and de-coupled with an antenna, a SMA cable, an attenuator or a RF device of any kind. If you repeat plug/unplug operations over the RF Explorer SMA port hundreds of times, the SMA port may underperform over time and exhibit undesired attenuation.
Specifications For a complete list of features and RF Explorer Signal Generator models, expansion boards available, and accessories please check the RF Explorer Model Map online. www.rf-explorer.com/models Acknowledgments This product could not be possible without the SeeedStudio Team who manufacture, test and distribute RF Explorer worldwide. RF Explorer is a reality thanks to the great community behind, always suggesting features and providing useful feedback.
