WR-G526e Wide-Band Phase Coherent Tuner Front-End

Overview

The WiNRADiO WR-G526e is a versatile receiver platform of USB-interfaced modular building blocks suitable for high-performance signal intercept, acquisition and monitoring applications, precision direction finding and beam-forming.

The WiNRADiO WR-G526e is designed to be a compact, low-cost front-end of choice for Software-Defined Radio applications wherever an instantaneous IF bandwidth greater than 20 MHz is required. The robust, low-power tuner can be deployed in fixed, land mobile, or airborne installations, and is able to support single-channel as well as multi-channel phase-coherent applications with excellent phase and amplitude matching between channels.

Features

 Input frequency range 20-3000 MHz
 Output frequency 21.4 MHz
 IF bandwidth 22 MHz
 Low phase noise
 Low phase and amplitude distortion
 High frequency stability 0.01 ppm
 High dynamic range
 Fast tuning speed
 Single or multichannel operation
 Digitally controlled output phase adjustment
 USB interface

The receiver is based on a double-conversion process, where the incoming frequency is down-converted to the output frequency 21.4 MHz, which is provided as a filtered output ready to be digitized. The IF paths are switchable in order to minimize images and spurious mixing products. Filters are specially selected to ensure flat phase response and digitally controlled attenuators are employed in the front-end as well as in the IF path.

The entire system features an excellent phase stability and flatness throughout the entire frequency range, with minimum amplitude and phase distortion, as well as minimum amplitude and phase mismatch between channels. This also includes digitally-controlled phase adjustment of the output signal for precise phase calibration in multi-channel phase-coherent applications.

WR-G526e/TM

The WR-G526e/TM tuner module can be used as a front-end for a multichannel phase-coherent receiver system. The tuner contains frequency down-conversion circuitry with switchable paths, a digitally-controlled attenuator 0-30 dB in the front end, and a secondary 20 dB attenuator in the IF path.

The tuner provides excellent phase matching (typically 3 degrees across the entire frequency range) between channels. Much higher accuracies are possible using an built-in digitial phase-shift facility which makes it possible to digitally control the output phase of each tuner with approximately 0.1 degree resolution.

WR-G526e/RM

The WR-G526e/RM is a reference oscillator and distributor module suited for phase-coherent multichannel systems, capable of driving up to eight WR-G526e/TM tuner modules. The reference oscillator features a very high frequency accuracy and stability of 0.01 ppm, thanks to a built-in OCXO. Higher frequency stability is possible using an optional external frequency reference input.

The system's small dimensions and low power consumption make it suitable for integration to mobile surveillance and direction finding systems, including airborne systems, UAVs, and other demanding application where wide frequency range, wide instantaneous bandwidth and consistent phase characteristics are desirable.

WR-G526e/RMF

The WR-G526e/RMF is an ultra-fast DDS-based reference oscillator and distributor module suited for phase-coherent multichannel systems, capable of driving up to eight WR-G526e/TM tuner modules. The WR-G526e/RMF module is similar in functionality to the above-described WR-G526e/RM module from which it differs by offering significantly improved phase noise performance and faster tuning speed. It features the same high frequency accuracy and stability of 0.01 ppm, with a higher frequency stability possible using an optional external frequency reference input.

The module's superior phase noise performance and fast tuning speed allows it to be used in high-performance search receivers and other demanding single-channel or phase-coherent multi-channel applications.

WR-G526e/SC

The WR-G526e/SC single-channel module is an integrated system combining a WR-G526e/TM front-end with a WR-G526e/RM frequency reference, suitable for single-channel applications. The unit has a 20-3000 MHz antenna input and a 21.4 MHz analog IF output with 22 MHz bandwidth. It contains a built-in OCXO frequency reference (10 MHz, 0.01ppm). It is also possible to order models with a provision for external frequency reference.

Similarly to all the other WR-G526e modules, this module requires a 12V DC external power and is controlled via a USB interface.