What happens with the amplifier protection, if no amplifier input protection file is specified?
(In our situation it seems that RadiMation is automatically limiting the signal power to -5.1 dBm. Is this logical?)
Behaviour when no amplifier input protection file is selecte
Re: Behaviour when no amplifier input protection file is sel
When no amplifier input protection file is specified for the used Amplifier, RadiMation will limit the amplifier input power to 0 dBm.
0 dBm is very often the power level that is allowed as maximum amplifier input power without damaging the amplifier.
The maximum amplifier input power level is however expressed as the unmodulated CW power level corresponding to the top-peak voltage that is allowed as the maximum amplifier input voltage. Depending on the selected modulation type, this can result in different behaviour.
1. No modulation
In the situation that an immunity test is performed without amplitude modulation, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to the 0 dBm power level.
2. Amplitude modulation (AM)
In the situation that an immunity test is performed with amplitude modulation, the top-peak voltage of the modulated CW power level will be higher than the specified level of the unmodulated CW power value. This higher top-peak voltage is also depending on the amplitude modulation depth that is specified. When 80% amplitude modulation depth is specified, the top-peak voltage of the modulated voltage will be 5.1 dB higher than the unmodulated CW power value. In the situation that 80% amplitude modulation depth is used, the amplifier input protection will thus limit the applied CW value to -5.1 dBm (in such a way that the top-peak voltage will be 0 dBm).
3. Frequency modulation (FM)
Frequency modulation has no effect on the amplitude of the modulated CW signal. In the situation that frequency modulation is used, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to 0 dBm power level.
4. Pulse modulation
Pulse modulation has no effect on the amplitude of the modulated CW signal. In the situation that pulse modulation is used, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to 0 dBm power level.
The amplifier input protection is always based on the power on the input of the amplifier. If a cable loss is present between the signal generator and the amplifier input, it is possible that the signal generator output is higher than then specified maximum amplifier input power. For example when a 1 dB cable loss is present, and the maximum amplifier input power is specified to be 0 dBm, the signal generator output level can safely reach +1 dBm output power.
0 dBm is very often the power level that is allowed as maximum amplifier input power without damaging the amplifier.
The maximum amplifier input power level is however expressed as the unmodulated CW power level corresponding to the top-peak voltage that is allowed as the maximum amplifier input voltage. Depending on the selected modulation type, this can result in different behaviour.
1. No modulation
In the situation that an immunity test is performed without amplitude modulation, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to the 0 dBm power level.
2. Amplitude modulation (AM)
In the situation that an immunity test is performed with amplitude modulation, the top-peak voltage of the modulated CW power level will be higher than the specified level of the unmodulated CW power value. This higher top-peak voltage is also depending on the amplitude modulation depth that is specified. When 80% amplitude modulation depth is specified, the top-peak voltage of the modulated voltage will be 5.1 dB higher than the unmodulated CW power value. In the situation that 80% amplitude modulation depth is used, the amplifier input protection will thus limit the applied CW value to -5.1 dBm (in such a way that the top-peak voltage will be 0 dBm).
3. Frequency modulation (FM)
Frequency modulation has no effect on the amplitude of the modulated CW signal. In the situation that frequency modulation is used, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to 0 dBm power level.
4. Pulse modulation
Pulse modulation has no effect on the amplitude of the modulated CW signal. In the situation that pulse modulation is used, the top-peak voltage of the unmodulated CW power level corresponds with the level of the CW power. In this situation the CW power level will thus also be limited to 0 dBm power level.
The amplifier input protection is always based on the power on the input of the amplifier. If a cable loss is present between the signal generator and the amplifier input, it is possible that the signal generator output is higher than then specified maximum amplifier input power. For example when a 1 dB cable loss is present, and the maximum amplifier input power is specified to be 0 dBm, the signal generator output level can safely reach +1 dBm output power.
Re: Behaviour when no amplifier input protection file is sel
See also the related topic: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=491&p=984#p984