SIGNAL & CONTROL SOLUTIONS

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Aeroflex Signal & Control Solutions

www.aeroflex.com/ASCS • ascs-sales@aeroflex.com

Revision Date: 8/21/2013

FS5000 Series

Fast Switching Synthesizer

FS5000 technology has been developed to support the most

stringent airborne requirements. The architecture as well as

its implementation has been specifically geared to furnish-

ing military qualified, high reliability units. The architecture

developed around direct analog frequency synthesis is inher-

ently insensitive to vibration - there are no VCOs or sensitive

phase locked loops. The components and modules supporting

the architecture have also been selected for their rugged and

temperature stable qualities. All elements of the architecture

have components which can be qualified to MIL-STD-883. The

architecture has been implemented using the most appropriate

technology presently available. In order to support the need for

miniaturization and low power drain, much of the implementation

is carried out as application specific hybrid microcircuits. These are

designed and produced by the Aeroflex Circuit Technology div-

ision,supportedbya25,0000squarefoot,MILSTD-1772qualified,

microelectronics production facility.

FS5000technologypermitsatrulymodularapproachtothedesign

of specialized frequency synthesizers. The architecture itself is

interative and modular, herefore implementations are naturally

so. Specific frequency ranges and step sizes are produced by

using standard and semi-custom modules configured to support

the precise requirement. This architectural approach is adapt-

able to a wide range of applications, and also accrues all of the

advantages of standardization. Reliability, service, logistics, and

development economy are all substantially enhanced by using

FS5000 architecture and technology. The FS5000 is the signal

source of choice for implementing advanced radar systems but

also for upgrading existing radars. The above paragraph shows

an upgrade to an agile fire control radar. The upgrade consists

of a down converter, an instantaneous frequency measurement

(IFM) module, a control processor, and an FS5000 agile syn-

thesizer. The principle of the upgrade subsystem is to measure

the agile radar pulse frequency at transmission and accurately

set the receiver local oscillator (LO) before the return pulse has

arrived. The LO must be accurate with respect to frequency,

have low phase noise and low spurious content - attributes for

which the FS5000 is ideally suited. Aeroflex/Comstron produced

the complete upgrade subsystem including real-time control and

self-calibration capabilities.

The FS5000 P1 OEM plate illustrated shows a typical modular

configuration. Electrical connections for power and programming

as well as RF output are located to promote interface accessibility.

Theplacementofstandardmodulesallowsforproperchannellingof

airflow for cooling. The location of module input and output

connections are in easily accessable locations. This feature aids in

service and trouble shooting. Future expansion or enhancement of

thisbasicsynthesizerispossiblewiththecapabilitytoaddorreplace

modules or upgrade existing modules. Additional information on

standard modular sets of OEM plate (P) series configurations is

provided below.