The frequency correction should be in Part Per Billion of the generator output frequency.

As you can not correct below +/- 58 Hz error it is best to measure 1 GHz output and only correct 1 GHz.

All other output frequencies should then also be within +/- 58 Hz correct

If you experience something different, let me know.

--

Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to

Indeed, in the CONFIG/EXPERT CONFIG/FREQ CORR menu you can make a correction of the output frequency when Tinysa Ultra is configured in generator mode. The value to be entered must be negative if you want to increase the frequency and positive if you want to decrease the frequency. But the value to be entered does not correspond to the difference of the frequency entered in the Tinysa with respect to that of the precision frequency meter, at least that is what I have found. You have to try the correction value to reach a compromise point. Nor is this value the same for frequencies of, for example, 100-500-800 MHz or 1-2-3 GHz. In addition, you always have to wait a while until the RF output stabilizes. I don't know if it is due to the precision of the internal TCXO or some other factor. I mention this data in case it can be used for some kind of improvement in a large project like TinySa ultra, which is already being asked for too much in terms of its cost, and which cannot be compared with much more expensive and sophisticated laboratory equipment. Thank you and best regards.

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Efectivamente en el menú ?CONFIG/EXPERT CONFIG/FREQ CORR se puede hacer una corrección de la frecuencia de salida cuando Tinysa Ultra se configura en modo generador. El valor que hay que introducir debe ser negativo si se quiere subir de frecuencia y positivo si se quiere bajar de frecuencia. Pero el valor que hay que introducir no corresponde con la diferencia de la frecuencia introducida en el Tinysa respecto a la del Frecuencímetro de precisión, al menos eso es lo que yo he comprobado. Hay que ir tanteando el valor de corrección para llegar a un punto de compromiso. Tampoco ese valor es igual para frecuencias de por ejemplo 100-500-800 MHz o 1-2-3 GHz Además siempre hay que esperar un tiempo hasta que la salida de RF se estabiliza. No sé si será debido a la precisión del TCXO interno o a algún otro factor. Estos datos los comento por si sirven para algún tipo de mejora en un gran proyecto como TinySa ultra al que ya se le está pidiendo demasiado en función del coste que tiene, y que no se puede comparar con instrumental mucho más caro y sofisticado de laboratorio. Gracias y un saludo

Thank you very much for your reply. I looked in the PPB menu but I wasn't sure how to enter the calibration value either. Positive or negative. I will try which one works. Congratulations on the great work on the Tinysa. I am aware of the difficulty of a project like Tinysa. I am working on an RF generator project and have achieved a maximum error or frequency accuracy of about 0.8 Hz. It is tremendously difficult. Thanks again

Erik's response to this question....

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/g/tinysa/message/19281

Regards.....Ted (KD7AQO)

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From: "Kurt Poulsen"
To: [email protected]
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday January 28 2025 2:41:36PM
Subject: Re: [tinysa] tiny sa ultra zs407

Its a good news!! Thanks.

There are two things determining the frequency accuracy

1: The global CONFIG/EXPERT CONFIG/FREQ CORR. This can be set to correct output versus the internal reference. In your case you have a 350 Hz error at 1 GHz, the FREQ CORR is in PPB so set it to 350 (or -350, I never can remember) and that should correct the systematic error which grows bigger with frequency

2: The frequency resolution. The digital PLL's in the tinySA Ultra have a minimum frequency step of roughly 60 Hz.? This can not be reduced.?

--

Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to

Yes the tinySA can be calibrated for improved frequency accuracy.? Read the wiki for details.? Look under Expert Config .for FREQ Correction..

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The low output frequency can be set with a resolution of about 28Hz so after calibration all frequencies up to 800MHz should be correct within +/- 28Hz.? Can't remember the spec after 800 MHz.

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Roger

Hi Kurt, a quick question: The very excellent Ultra Menu Tree document you published back on Aug 10, 2024, then current to ver 1.4.176, while mostly still up to date, lags behind the version updates to ver 196 including the new ZS-407 instrument. Any plans to update this in the near future? It was such a well thought out document that it would be invaluable to both new and old users alike.

Hello. First of all, congratulations on a great job with the Tinysa ultra. I have the ZS405 version with firmware 1.4-192 and I would like to discuss a topic with you. The frequency accuracy in RF generator mode. I have checked the output at different frequencies and there are errors which are the following: 1MHz +6.5Hz; 10MHz +3.8Hz; 50MHz -8Hz; 100MHz -23Hz; 200MHz -51.4Hz; 300MHz -81Hz; 500MHz -142Hz; 800MHz -242Hz; 1GHz -350Hz; 2GHz -611Hz; 3GHz -900Hz
I cannot check beyond 3GHz because the Tinysa ultra does not have enough dBm output for my GPS-referenced frequency counter and the preamplifier I have only reaches up to 3GHz.

Hello. First of all, congratulations on a great job with the Tinysa ultra. I have the ZS405 version with firmware 1.4-192 and I would like to discuss a topic with you. The frequency accuracy in RF generator mode. I have checked the output at different frequencies and there are errors which are the following: 1MHz +6.5Hz; 10MHz +3.8Hz; 50MHz -8Hz; 100MHz -23Hz; 200MHz -51.4Hz; 300MHz -81Hz; 500MHz -142Hz; 800MHz -242Hz; 1GHz -350Hz; 2GHz -611Hz; 3GHz -900Hz
I cannot check beyond 3GHz because the Tinysa ultra does not have enough dBm output for my GPS-referenced frequency counter and the preamplifier I have only reaches up to 3GHz.

?@

On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 05:15 PM, David Feldman wrote:

I suspect this has been covered (either by developer, by experimenter, or both) but my searches in the group archives didn't yield anything that might apply.

Check out the post from this member:? /g/tinysa/message/14770? or search the archives for "10ghz" or "YIG".

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Herb

Hi DL2ECL,

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You don't need to do anything special

Just select the frequency range of interest up to 12 GHz and it will scan the selected frequency range

If you want to go to 18 GHz you have to change the harmonic from 3 to 5 in the expert config.

Of course don't expect absolute power level measurements

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See this video: https://youtu.be/ypqJMcVC-z8?t=1173

--

Designer of the tinySA
For more info go to