Design of ATS for Frequency Synthesizer and Research on Test Methods

Abstract

To get better anti-jamming ability, the emission signal and array calibration signal of the Frequency Synthesizer need to work in pulse mode. To achieve miniaturization and function integration, the ability to generate FSK signals and PSK signals is also needed. To realize the real-time control, the network interface is selected as the medium. The features above make it impossible to measure the Frequency Synthesizer relying on test equipments at this stage. An automatic test system (ATS) based on PXI & LXI hybrid architecture is designed as a solution. Trigger distribution module is created to establish the synchronous measurement mechanism between the ATS and the Frequency Synthesizer. Network communication module is produced, which could send control commands to the Frequency Synthesizer and store fault monitoring information. The test methods of transmission power, spur rejection and harmonic rejection are realized based on zero-span mode and time-gate mode respectively. The FSK signal is demodulated by the sliding FFT method, and the PSK signal is demodulated by the Costas loop method. The accuracy and effectiveness of the test methods are verified through practical application. Besides, on the premise that temperature changes and response nonuniformity are included in the test results, the maximum deviation of transmission power is ±0.175dB within 100 discrete measurements, which could demonstrate the stability of the ATS.