Vector Digital Receiver

Vector Measurement Controller

Model: ELE-VMC

Features
  • Fast, precise acquisition controller for complex coordinated measurement tasks
  • Compatible with legacy and third-party instruments
  • Integrated RF multiplexer control functions
  • Comprehensive AESA control interface
  • Digital antenna data interface
  • 10 ns timing resolution

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The Vector Measurement Controller (VMC) is a master timing controller for complex electronic measurement and data acquisition. It can be used for fast on-the-fly electronic testing, precisely coordinated with mechanical motion or other controlled or monitored test attributes. As an enhancement to the Vector Field Analyzer™, the VMC provides comprehensive support of electronically steerable and digital antennas for automated testing. A complete set of selectable trigger and data inputs and outputs gives the VMC the ability to control practically any device or instrument with precise timing resolution. NSI-MI’s Vector Digital Receiver uses the VMC with Digital AUT firmware to support antenna, radome, and electromagnetic field measurements for devices with digital outputs.

  • Specifications
  • Applications
  • Options
  • Includes
  • Available Add-Ons
Timing Latency
  Hardware Input Response ~20 ns
  Hardware Output Response ~10 ns
  VNA Read After Sweep Complete ~1 µs
Beam/Aux TTL Interfaces - 2 ports  
  Data 20 data bits
  Control signals Strobe, acknowledge
  Logic Level Beam interface: RS-485 equivalent
Auxiliary TTL Interface: single-ended TTL compatible
  Programmable Timing
Range Resolution
  Strobe Out Pulse Width
1 to 65535 μs 1 μs
  Data-to-strobe Delay
0 to 65535 μs 1 μs
  DC Power
+/- 18 VDC  
Multiplexer Interfaces - 2 ports
  Compatibility ELE-MUX product family
  Control signals 8 differential bits per port
  Logic Level RS-485 equivalent
  DC Power +/- 18 VDC
BNC Interfaces - 10 ports  J01–J10 ports
  Control Signals Programmable as input or output
Trigger Bus Interface - Provides four differential real-time signals with programmable pulse width

Range Resolution
  Frequency Trigger Output
1 to 65535 µs 1 µs
  Measurement Trigger Output
1 to 65535 µs 1 µs
Network Interfaces
  VMC Control 100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
  Acquired Data 100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Service Panel - Comes with tamper-resistant access capability
  Console USB 2.0
  Host USB 2.0
AC Power 100–240 VAC 50/60 Hz, 100 W max
Environmental 0–40 °C
Basic Receiver Control Package

Timing Control - The VMC provides timing control for third-party receivers. The timing functions enable triggering the receiver, external sources, and RF multiplexers according to user-defined patterns and delay values. Triggering of the electronic instruments can be precisely arranged relative to position trigger signals obtained from a motion controller.

RF Multiplexer Control - Fast RF switch control is a vital function for use with third-party receivers. The VMC will control solid state or electromechanical RF switches for fast electrical state changes during testing. The VMC has the same multiplexer control port configuration as the VFA, so control cables and interfaces can be easily shared or reconfigured.

Data Buffering - The VMC includes fast, deep data buffering to enable higher acquisition speeds with third party receivers.

Analog AUT Package

Beam Steering Interface - The VMC provides a comprehensive digital interface allowing several options for controlling AUT states during testing. This basic control interface can be used in two different ways: an “open-loop” scheme allows a selectable fixed dwell time for AUT setup, or a “closed-loop” scheme waits for the AUT to return an acknowledgment to the VMC before continuing. The flexible AUT interface also includes up to 20 parallel bits for AUT state control in addition to the Strobe/Dwell and Strobe/Ack functions. This real-time digital AESA interface enables fully coordinated acquisition sequencing and supports measurements at full AUT rates.

Digital AUT Package

Digital AUT Data Interface - For testing digital antennas, with integrated down-conversion and digitization, the VMC provides a separate Gigabit Ethernet port for data transfer from the AUT to the test system. Data buffering may be enabled for this port when needed. AUT received data is passed to the measurement workstation, or other storage device, via the VMC allowing for fast, smooth data transfer. These features are available using the VMC as part of the Vector Digital Receiver (ELE-VDR) package. Learn more about the VDR click here.

Features Basic Receiver ELE-VMC-BC Analog AUT ELE-VMC-AA Digital AUT ELE-VMC-DA
Signal sources - trigger/lock signals
System trigger input (position, major)
Multiplexer (RF switch) control
Receiver - measurement trigger/done
Receiver - data read and buffering/forward
Receiver-in-the-loop acquisition modes
AUT strobe/ready
Beam steering data bits
AUT-in-the-loop acquisition modes
AUT fault detection
Scan status indicators (host controlled)
MI-789 Emulation (Net socket connection to AUT)
Streaming Digital AUT Support
  • ELE-VMC Vector Measurement Controller
  • User manual
  • Beam steering interface
  • Vector Digital Receiver (ELE-VDR)