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AIM4170 Antenna Analyzer: by Bob Clunn - W5BIG

The document summarizes the design and capabilities of the AIM4170 Antenna Analyzer. It applies an RF voltage to the transmission line and measures the voltage and current to calculate input impedance magnitude and phase. Key features include a wide frequency range of 0.1-170MHz using digital synthesizers, heterodyning low frequency signals to 1KHz for sampling, and determining true phase shift without internal adjustments. Measurement results are demonstrated on a cable to find the 1/4 wavelength point and Smith charts are used. Interference effects on measurements are also shown. The analyzer is available for purchase from Array Solutions for $495.

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Scott Gillis
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29 views

AIM4170 Antenna Analyzer: by Bob Clunn - W5BIG

The document summarizes the design and capabilities of the AIM4170 Antenna Analyzer. It applies an RF voltage to the transmission line and measures the voltage and current to calculate input impedance magnitude and phase. Key features include a wide frequency range of 0.1-170MHz using digital synthesizers, heterodyning low frequency signals to 1KHz for sampling, and determining true phase shift without internal adjustments. Measurement results are demonstrated on a cable to find the 1/4 wavelength point and Smith charts are used. Interference effects on measurements are also shown. The analyzer is available for purchase from Array Solutions for $495.

Uploaded by

Scott Gillis
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AIM4170 Antenna Analyzer

By Bob Clunn – W5BIG

W5BIG
Agenda

Design considerations for the analyzer.


A bit of theory.
Measurement results.
Demonstration.

W5BIG
Basic Approach

Apply an RF voltage to the transmission line input.


Measure the applied voltage and the current.
Calculate the input impedance: magnitude & phase.
Calculate various parameters, including:
SWR
Equivalent series/parallel circuit.

W5BIG
Zin Measurement Method

Frequency range is 0.1 to 170 MHz.


Digital Synthesizers for Source and LO (AD9859)
Heterodyne V and I to 1 KHz.
W5BIG
Block Diagram

W5BIG
Signal Processing

Low frequency (1KHz) V and I signals are


amplified and filtered.
ADC in the Microprocessor samples each signal
16 times per cycle.
Microprocessor sends raw data to PC via RS232.
PC performs calculations and plots data.

W5BIG
Advantages of This Method

Circuit is linear (no diode detectors).


Wide dynamic range with a 12 bit ADC.
True phase shift is determined.
Signal applied to the load is very small.
Narrow bandpass filter rejects stray inputs.
No internal adjustments for calibration.
Good long term accuracy.

W5BIG
Inside View

W5BIG
Impedance

Impedance = Z = R + jX
R = Resistance (real)
X = Reactance (imaginary)
j = square root of –1.
Inductive Reactance is positive.
Capacitive Reactance is negative.
Magnitude = SquareRoot(R*R + X*X)
Phase Angle = ArcTan(X/R)
W5BIG
Reflection Coefficient

Ratio of voltage reflected by the antenna to the


voltage arriving at the antenna, Er/Ei.
Caused by difference between transmission line
impedance and antenna impedance.
Rho = 0 for a perfect match, no reflection.
Rho = +1 for an open circuit.
Rho = -1 for a short circuit.

W5BIG
Reflection Coefficient

ZL= load impedance.


ZO = transmission line impedance.
The impedances are complex numbers.
Magnitude of Rho ranges from 0 to 1.
Measure ZL and calculate Rho.

W5BIG
What Is SWR ?

Ratio of Maximum Voltage to Minimum Voltage


on the transmission line.
SWR is in the range of +1 to infinity.
SWR is the same at all points along a (lossless)
transmission line.
Loss in a long transmission line reduces the SWR
read at the transmitter.

W5BIG
SWR Determination

SWR ranges from +1 to Infinity


SWR is not a complex number.
For example:
Rho = 0.1 SWR = 1.2
Rho = 0.5 SWR = 3.0

W5BIG
Agenda

Design considerations for the analyzer.


A bit of theory.
Measurement results.
Demonstration.

W5BIG
Cable Length
Find the frequency where
theta = 0
This corresponds to ¼
wavelength.
5.813 MHz =>51.6meters.
51.6m*3.28ft/m=169.2ft
(169.2/4)*0.66=27.9ft
(velocity factor=0.66)

W5BIG
Smith Chart

W5BIG
Effect of Interference 1

No interference. Load=186 ohms at end of 28ft of RG58 W5BIG


Effect of Interference 2

Interference level approx 63db over S9 W5BIG


AIM4170 Availability

Distributed by Array Solutions:


www.arraysolutions.com/pricelist.htm
Units are in stock for immediate delivery.
$495 includes hardware and software. (July, ’07)
W5BIG
Agenda

Design considerations for the analyzer.


A bit of theory.
Measurement results.
Demonstration.

www.w5big.com

W5BIG

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