A 0.5 to 20.0 GHz RF generator instrument-on-a-card using MMIC and field programmable gate arrays

An instrument-on-a-card (IAC) has been developed which uses monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology and field programmable gate arrays to provide a +or-20-dBm RF stimulus capability over the frequency range of 0.5 to 20.0 GHz. It is capable of being tuned in 0.15-Hz steps, in 200 mu s per step. The entire frequency range can be swept in less than 1 s. Pulse and arbitrary amplitude modulation capabilities are provided along with RF frequency agility. Within the IAC, enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance is achieved by isolating the RF circuitry from the rest of the VXI circuitry. This is accomplished, in the three-slot-wide C-size VXI module, by means of an RF-tight, shielded compartment.<
>