Dear All,
Re RP protection, I think DC protection is a different matter. ?For example many SAs have an input power limit of +20 dBm and 0 V DC. ?You have to check spec. carefully.
Re DC protection, it is best to have a procedure to avoid these problems, rather than rely on protection.
In my vacation job days of repairing VHF radio and radar; the procedure before connecting a signal generator was:
1. Disable transmit physically- disconnect the private wires carrying keying signals; unplug fist microphone or whatever.
2. Measure the voltage between centre pin and outer of the cable connecting the signal generator to the transceiver.
3. Short the centre pin and outer of the cable to confirm.
4. Connect to signal generator.
Sometimes, techs. did not follow the procedure; I remember a red-faced lad who had applied 50W straight into the output of a newly acquired R&S signal generator.
He also borrowed and broke my multimeter.
He did not last long at the company.
As for the choice of generator, if sweep functions are required that limits the choice.?
If ultra-low phase noise is not needed I would recommend the 8656B; cheap, light weight, easy to use and pretty reliable.
The 8643A has better performance, but is large and heavy. The 8642 even heavier.
Regards,
Alwyn
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Alwyn Seeds, Director
SynOptika Ltd.,
114 Beaufort Street,
London,
SW3 6BU,
England.
SynOptika Ltd., Registered in England and Wales: No. 04606737
Registered Office: 114 Beaufort Street, London, SW3 6BU, United Kingdom.
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