SFC4200A C-Band Synthesized Frequency Down Converter

Converters

Overview
The SFC4200A C-Band Synthesized Frequency Down Converter has been designed to provide performance that meets or exceeds
industry standards. The SFC4200A features also provide ease of integration and operation. Designed to handle extreme ratios of
adjacent carrier power, the SFC4200A offers the highest standard input P1 dBm in the industry at -19 dBm. With a typical noise figure of
10 dB at 40 dB gain, the SFC4200A can receive signals below -110 dBm with an aggregate input power of -25 dBm. This represents a
receive dynamic range in excess of 85 dB. At 40 dB of gain standard, or with the 60 dB gain option, the SFC4200A will easily integrate
into any size earth station while eliminating the need for receive line amplifiers, even for installations that employ power splitters on the
downlink. Linearity of the converter is equally impressive. The SFC4200A boasts a two-tone IMD product of 60 dBc for a combined output
power of 0 dBm. Output P1 dBm of the converter is +20 dBm. In most installations this allows IF power splitters to be used without the
need for IF distribution amplifiers.
Features
• Low-Cost and High Performace in a 1.75” High Chassis
• Built-in 1:N Series Switching Option
• High Receive Intercept/Dynamic Range
• Low Phase Noise
• 125 kHz Frequency Resolution (optional 1 KHz)
• RS-232/-422/-485 Operator Serial Interface
• Plug-and-Play Compatibility With Radyne Low-Cost 1:1 and 1:N Switches
• Available in Extended Frequency Bands
Monitor and Control
All of the configuration, monitor and control functions are available at the front panel. Operating parameters such as frequency, channel,
gain, gain offset and switch settings (backup only) can be readily set and changed at the front panel. Additionally, all functions can be
accessed with a terminal or personal computer via a serial link (RS-232, RS-485, or Ethernet) for complete remote monitor and control
(M&C) capabilities. Extensive fault monitoring with masking capability, along with time and date stamped event storage are available.
Protection Switch Versatility
Redundancy for the SFC converter products can be supported by an external rack mounted RCU101 (1:1) or RCU108 (1:N) system.
These redundant systems are designed to ensure continuous operation thus allowing a unit to be replaced without disruption of the signal
transmission. The RCU101 or the RCU108 can be easily configured by connecting the cables and starting the plug and play process.

Identical firmware enables any converter to be plugged into the backup slot and assume the role of protection switch controller. It is the
backup converter that learns and stores the frequency, gain and channel settings of the primary converters. The backup converter can be
operated automatically, in which case an automatic backup of a failed on-line converter occurs after a user pre-programmed delay. The
backup may also be operated manually, allowing the operator to manually switch-in the backup unit. In the event the stored setting of the
primary converter is changed, the backup converter will notify the user.

Switching configuration settings, such as priority, fault delay, force and learn controls, backup testing, and compensation, are available on
the front panel and all serial interfaces. Status information on all primes, such as summary fault, learn and backup status tests,
configuration change, relay status, and converter type, is also available. All circuits are protected upon installation of the switch and upon
completion of the learning process. This eliminates the need for complicated software configurations that might otherwise leave a circuit
vulnerable. Likewise, replacing a failed converter is as simple as plugging in a replacement.

www.comtechefdata.com
Specifications
Input Characteristics
3.625 - 4.20 GHz Standard Operator Interface
Frequency
3.40 - 4.20 GHz Extended (Optional) Keypad Control, LED Indicators, and LCD
Front Panel
Impedance 50 Ohms Indicators
Return Loss ≥ 20 dB Terminal (RS-232), ASCII and RLLP (RS-
P1 dBm Input -19 dBm Remote Interfaces 232/RS-485) Serial Interface, and SNMP
Input Dynamic -25 dBm Aggregate Signal; Power to -110 dBm (Ethernet) 10Base-T
Range Carrier Level RF Input (SMA 50 Ohms), IF Output (75 Ohm
Connector N, Type-F BNC),Operator Serial Port (DB 9-Pin),
10 MHz REF In (BNC), REF Out
Output Characteristics (BNC),Fault/Test (DB 9-Pin), Switch Interface
Rear Panel
70 MHz ± 20 MHz Standard (DB 15Pin), Equipment RS-485 Interface (DB 9-
Frequency Connections
140 MHz ± 40 MHz Optional Pin), IEC/EN60320/C13 Power Entry
Impedance 75 Ohms Module/Switch,
Return Loss ≥ 23 dB #10 Ground Lug, Series Switch Interface
P1 dBm Output +20 dBm (Optional)
Connector BNC, F Front Panel Test
RF Monitor -15 dB; IF Monitor -15 dB
Ports:
Transfer Characteristics Converter Settings
Type Double Conversion, No Spectral Inversion Monitored and/or controlled from the front panel or remotely, using the
40 dB Maximum @ 0 dB Total Attenuation (60 dB RS-232/RS-484 or Ethernet remote port:
Gain • Frequency • Channel Gain
Optional)
40 dB in 0.1 dB Increments • Current Channel • Gain Offset
Gain Control • Event Buffer • Faults Status and Mask
(0 dB to +40 dB Conversion Gain)
Gain Ripple ± 0.25 dB/36 MHz, ± 0.5 dB/76 MHz • Power Supply Voltages • Frequency Reference Status
Gain Slope ± 0.05 dB/MHz • Input Attenuation (Up converter and Offset Control
Gain Stability ± 0.25 dB/24 Hours, ± 1.0 dB; 0 to 50°C Only) • Remote Protocol, Baud, Line,
Noise Figure 11 dB Maximum @ 0 dB Attenuation • Carrier Control and Status (Up and Echo Modes
-80 dBm Local Oscillator Related Spurious converter Only) • Converter Band and User
(In-band) at Minimum Attenuation • RF Detector, IF Detector, and Minimum/Maximum Frequencies
Spurious DAC Attenuation Voltages
-65 dBc Signal Related Spurious (In-band) at
Minimum Attenuation • Converter and Frequency Type
+30 dBm -60 dBc IMD Two Tones With 0 dBm • Terminal Emulation and Baud
Third Order Intercept Rate
Total Output Power
AM/PM Conversion 0.1°/dB Switch Settings:
Image Rejection > 80 dB Monitored and/or controlled from the front panel or remotely, using the
RS-232/RS-484 or Ethernet remote port (backup only)
Frequency Synthesizer Characteristics • Priority • All Available Prime Summary Fault
Resolution 125 kHz Step Size (optional 1 KHz) • Fault Delay • All Available Prime Learn Status
± 5 x 10-9 Over Temperature • Force Backup • All Available Prime Backup Test Status
Stability
(0 to 50°C) +1 x 10-9/24 Hours • Learn Control • All Available Prime Configuration Change
Accuracy ± 5.0 x 10-9 After 20 Minutes • Backup Testing Status
• Compensation • All Available Prime Relay Status
Single Side Band Phase Noise Control • All Available Prime Converter Types
Offset C-Band Standard Standby, LO Fault, Ext Ref Online, Backup,
10 Hz -50 dBc/Hz LED Indications Sw Fault, Manual (Backup Only), Power, Fault,
100 Hz -70 dBc/Hz Event, Remote Sig Fault (Up converter Only)
1 kHz -80 dBc/Hz
10 kHz -88 dBc/Hz Physical & Environmental Characteristics
100 kHz -95 dBc/Hz Dimensions 1.75 x 19” x 19”
1 MHz -110 dBc/Hz (height x width x depth) (4.44 x 48.26 x 48.26 cm)
Ext. Reference 10 MHz, 0 dBm, 50 Ohms (5 MHz Optional) Weight 12 lb. (5.44 kg)
Primary Power 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz, 1.0 A
Group Delay Power Consumption 50 W
Linear 0.025 nsec./MHz Operating Temperature 0 to 50°C
Parabolic 0.005 nsec./MHz2 Humidity To 95% Non-Condensing
Ripple 1 nsec. p-p for ± 18 MHz Altitude To 8,000 Feet (2438.4 meters) AMSL
No loss of frame synchronization at the BER
Test set due to a standard hammer drop test
Shock and Vibration on any outside surface of converter. Likewise,
no loss of frame sync for temp gradient of ±
22°C/Hour
Non-Operating
-32 to +70°C, 99% Humidity, Non-Condensing
Temperature

2114 West 7th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281 USA

Voice: +1.480.333.2200 ● Fax: +1.480.333.2540 ● Email: [email protected]
See all of Comtech EF Data’s Patents and Patents Pending at http://patents.comtechefdata.com
Comtech EF Data reserves the right to change specifications of products described in this document at any time without notice and without obligation to notify any person of such changes. Information in
this document may differ from that published in other Comtech EF Data documents. Refer to the website or contact Customer Service for the latest released product information
© 2014 Comtech EF Data ds-sfc4200a.docx 8/12/2014