HUNT VALLEY, Md., 23 May 2007. Tyco Electronics SIGINT Products in Hunt Valley, Md., is offering a high-performance, lightweight M/A-COM SIGINT microwave tuner, the TU-6401, that covers a frequency range from 0.5 to 18 GHz.
The RF down converter used with the direct digital synthesizer uncouples tuning speed from phase noise creating the fastest and highest performance tuner on the market. These features are implemented into a two-slot 6U VME package weighing less than seven pounds.
The TU-6401 provides simultaneous narrowband and wideband IF outputs centered at 160 MHz (100 MHz bandwidth and 1 GHz (500 MHz bandwidth), respectively. The 160 MHz IF is also used to develop a log video output. The IF and log video outputs are suitable for direct input into an external A/D converter for special signal processing, spectral analysis and pulse parameterization.
The tuner is also designed for single- and multi-channel (frequency and amplitude coherent) systems. A self-contained LO distribution system allows the TU-6401 to be used for beam forming and DF systems, as well as for a wide range of other ELINT and EW applications. The on-board FPGA's allowing for custom operating parameters that can be tailored to mission requirements.
The tuner's noise figure is rated less than 15 dB (<12 dB typical). Sweep speed over the 0.5-18 GHz tuning range per 500 MHz steps is less than 200 microseconds and step tune speed is less than 5 microseconds for any step.
Options include RF blanking, low-end frequency coverage to 100 MHz and an 18 to 40 GHz frequency extension through a 2.4 mm connector. For more information contact Tyco SIGINT online at www.macom.com/sigint.
