Build A Tracking Generator for the
Modularized Spectrum Analyzer


    You may have become familiar with the MSA, which is presented on the Main Page.  This is a guide for adding a tracking generator to the  0 to 1000 MHz Modularized Spectrum Analyzer.  Two designs are presented.  The original tracking generator design is shown first, followed by the new TG design.

This Page was Started Aug. 17, 2006.   The Original Tracking Generator information was removed from the main page and put here.
Updated Sept. 12, 2006.   The New Tracking Generator is advised if the builder is planning to evolve his MSA into a VNA.
Updated Sept. 21, 2006    Updated block diagrams to include integrated amplifiers within the VCO modules.

What is a Tracking Generator?
    A tracking generator (TG) is an RF signal generator that will change frequency at the same rate as the Spectrum Analyzer (SA).  When the SA is commanded to look for a particular frequency, the TG output frequency will be that same frequency.

    Here is the basic MSA Block Diagram :

Block Diagram of Basic MSA

    This is the same Block Diagram as the one on the main page for the MSA.  All construction information for the basic MSA is presented on the Main Page.
    The frequency agile oscillator is LO 1.  VCO 1 will tune from 1013.3 MHz (which corresponds to a 0 MHz input signal) to 2013.3 MHz (which corresponds to a 1000 MHz input signal).  The input signal is mixed with VCO 1 to create a difference frequency of 1013.3 MHz.  This 1st IF signal is tightly filtered by the cavity filter and then presented to the second mixer.  Here, it is mixed with the VCO 2 (1024 MHz) to create the final IF of 10.7 MHz.  The final IF is amplified and filtered and presented to the Log Detector for power to voltage conversion.  The Log Det output voltage is sent to the Analog to Digital converter to be read by the PC.  The basic MSA will read absolute Magnitude (power) measurements vs. frequency.  A signal reference is required to perform Magnitude gain/loss measurements.  A Tracking Generator makes a useful signal reference.

Original Tracking Generator
Block diagram of the MSA with the added Original Tracking Generator, highlighted.:
block dia of orig TG
Block Diagram of MSA/TG (original)
    LO 3, which is the combination of PLL 3 and VCO 3, creates a fixed frequency.  It is the same frequency of LO 1 when the MSA is commanded to "0" MHz.  In this case, the frequency is 1013.3 MHz.  As LO 1 is increased in frequency, the Tracking Generator output is the difference frequency of LO 1 and LO 3.  Since LO 1 tunes from 1013.3 to 2013.3 MHz, the TG output is 0 to 1000 MHz, thereby, "tracking" the MSA.  There is also a sum frequency output of the Mixer 3, which is 2026.6 MHz to 3016.3 MHz.  A low pass filter is integrated into Mixer 3, to attenuate the sum frequencies.  It is labeled as a 1000 LPF, but with the suggested components, the actual 3 dB point is about 1300 MHz.  The TG output level of -30 dBm is determined by the output level of VCO 3 and the amount of attenuation in the path.  In the above diagram, the attenuation is -37 dB.  Higher TG output level can be obtained, but with higher interference.
    The VCO 1 module is shown with an internal amplifier, feeding Mixer 3.  If the VCO 1 module does not have the dual amplifier capability, an external amplifier must be added.
    This is a very simple topology for a tracking generator.  However, it does have the drawback of potential interference.
Since the LO 3 frequency is fixed at 1013.3 MHz, the signal can get back into the MSA I.F. chain and cause interference.  It can be significant if the design and construction is not optimum.  Here is how the signal will interfere, using some component assumptions:
The Log Detector is LM3356.  0 dBm is the saturation input level to the log det.  It's minimum detectable signal is -90 dBm.  Any signal that is not of interest (SNOI) at this point, and greater than -90 dBm, is deemed "interference".
The I.F. Amplifier has 44 dB of gain.
The other MSA chain elements (mixers and filters) have a total loss of -24 dB.
The total gain of the MSA chain is +20 dB (+44 -24); therefore, the input dynamic range of the MSA is -20 dBm to -110 dBm.
Assuming Mixer 1 has a -7 dB conversion loss, the total gain from Mixer 1 R port to the Log Det is +27 dB.  Therefore, a 1013.3 MHz signal (-117 dBm), at the R port output of Mixer 1, will create a -90 dBm level at the input to the Log. Detector.  A signal from the TG's LO 3 that reaches Mixer 1, R port, and is greater than -117 dBm, is considered a SNOI and will interfere with real signal measurement.
    Now let us follow the 1013.3 MHz signal that is created by the TG's VCO 3.  It has an initial power level of +13 dBm.  It passes through the 37 dB attenuator to become a level of -24 dBm.
Mixers are ADE-11X, and have only 25 dB of isolation (data sheet).  Therefore, the -24 dBm SNOI at the R port of Mixer 3, passes to the L port at a level of -49 dBm.  The SNOI then passes through the 6 dB attenuator and is on the output of the VCO 1 module, with a level of -55 dBm.  The VCO amplifiers have about 25 dB of reverse isolation.  Therefore the SNOI is -80 dBm on the output of the VCO 1 module.  The SNOI then travels into Mixer 1 module, through the 6 dB attenuator.  The SNOI level at the L port of Mixer 1 is now -86 dBm.  The isolation of the ADE-11X is -25 dB, therefore, the SNOI at the R port of Mixer 1 is -111 dBm.  This level of -111 dBm will create a signal level of -84 dBm at the input to the Log. Det.   This is 6 dB above the interference level of -90 dBm, and interference will result.  What the display will look like, is, the noise floor of the Graph will rise by 6 dB.  The input dynamic range will be degraded by 6 dB, resulting in an input dynamic range of -104 dBm to -20 dBm.   In many cases this is not significant.  The MSA still has an 84 dB dynamic range, a 6 dB degradation.
    When I first designed and buit the SSA Prototype with this tracking generator, there was no interference problem in this area.  I was using the Watkins Johnson, W1J, which has 40 dB of isolation.  When designing the next version, the SSA Board, I chose the ADE-11X because the mfg claimed at least 40 dB isolation.  Well, in reality, their 40 dB number is a "best case" data point and, not where we operate this mixer, at 1013 MHz.
    I have seen the ADE-11X isolation range from -18 dB to -28 dB in the 3 units I have.  If the isolation is as poor as -18 dB, then the above calculations would degrade another 14 dB (7dB x 2 mixers).  With this case, the SNOI would be -97 dBm at the R port of Mixer 1.  This would create a signal level of -70 dBm at the input to the Log Det.  This is a 20 dB degradation to the dynamic range.  Not only are the mixers not guaranteed to have a specific isolation value, the Pill style amplifiers cannot guarantee -25 dB isolation.  Poor layout and "leaky" connections can also contribute to degraded isolation.
    Here is another significant interference from the VCO 3's 1013.3 MHz, "SNOI":  It will travel through Mixer 3, from the R port to the I port.  Numerically, the -24 dBm SNOI at the Mixer 3 R port will be -49 dBm at the I port.  This SNOI is only 19 dB lower than the TG output's signal of interest of -30 dBm.  In many cases, this is not of concern.  For example, tuning of filters, where the filter under test will attenuate this 1013.3 MHz, SNOI.  But, if a wide band amplifier or a mixer is the test subject, then significant intermodulation (IMD) can result.  There is a low pass filter on the output of the TG, but it's purpose is to attenuate harmonically generated spurs from Mixer 3.  It will not attenuate the 1013.3 Mhz.  A notch filter would work well here, but TG frequencies in the 900 MHz area would be degraded.
    To decrease the interference in both examples, the Trk Gen output can be lowered from -30 dBm to a value that causes the least interference.  The -37 dB attenuator could be changed to a -47 dB attenuator.  The SNOI interference would decrease by 10 dB in both cases.  The best method of reducing the interference is to choose a mixer 1 and mixer 3 that have the highest possible isolation at 1013 MHz.
    PLL 3 is operated in a fixed frequency mode, and it's phase detector frequency (PDF) must be chosen so that the "N" steps of the PLL will be a sub-multiple of the LO 3 frequency.  This PDF will probably be very low, resulting with a high phase noise LO 3.  This is not important as a tracking generator with the MSA.  The main consideration is getting the correct frequency for LO 3.  In the above examples, the frequency is 1013.3 MHz.  This frequency is determined by the frequency of LO 2 and the center frequency of the Final Xtal Filter (1024 MHz - 10.7 MHz = 1013.3 Mhz).   The PDF of PLL 3 could be 100 KHz.  But, the attractive point of the Basic MSA is, any Final Frequency Filter can be used.  What if the Final Xtal Filter were 9.954 MHz, with a bandwidth of 2 KHz?  The Tracking Generator's LO 3 must be tuned to: 1024 - 9.954 = 1014.046 MHz.  The obvious PDF would be 1 KHz.  However, most Integer-N PLL chips can not divide that high (1014.046 / .001 = 1,014,046).  For sure, the LMX 2326 cannot.   A very clever way to overcome this shortfall is to use a PDF that is not quite so obvious.  Since this is a fixed frequency LO, it doesnt need to step to any other required frequency.  Use a PDF that is a numeric sub-multiple of both the output frequency and the Master Clock Frequency.  In the above block diagram, the master clock is 64 MHz.  What PDF will be a
numeric sub-multiple of both 1014.046 MHz and 64 MHz ?  With some mathmatics involved, a PDF of .070098576 MHz will (closely) meet the requirements.  The PLL's divide by N counter will be 14466 (1014.046 MHZ / 14466 = 70,098.57597 Hz) and the divided by R counter will be 913 (64 MHz / 913 = 70,098.57612 Hz).  The two frequencies are not exactly the same.  They are .00345 Hz different.  Using the following formula the output frequency of the LO 3 is calculated :  VCO = (clock/R) x N or (64 MHz/913) x 14466.  This equals 1014,046,002.19 Hz.  This is 2.19 Hz higher than the wanted 1014.046 MHz.  However, 2 Hz is well within the bandpass of 2 KHz, the BW of the Final Xtal Filter.  The actual output frequency of the Tracking Generator will always be off by 2.19 Hz.  The PLL 3 can be designed with a loop filter for a PDF of 70 KHz.  This 2 Hz offset will not be a factor when tuning filters, or for gain/loss measurements.  As long as the final I.F. frequency is within the bandpass of the Final Xtal Filter, all is well.  This also holds true when this Tracking Generator is used with the MSA/VNA, which is discussed on a separate page.
    If a Fractional-N PLL is used for PLL 3, there is the same consideration of tuning LO 3 for the correct frequency.  But, a Fractional-N PLL will have a PDF that is 16 times it's step frequency.  If a step size of 1 KHz is required, the PDF will be 16 KHz, and this is easily accomplished with the LMX 2350 or LMX 2353.
    Here are some suggested loop component values for the original PLL 3, for different PDF's.
PLL 3                Used as       Icp        PDF         C1         R1         C2         R2           C3
ADF 4112         IntegerN   5.0 ma     5 KHz     120 nf     620       1.5 uf     1.1 K        47 nf
LMX2350/53    IntegerN   1.6 ma     5 KHz       39 nf     2.0 K     .47 uf     3.6 K        15 nf
LMX2326         IntegerN   1.0 ma     5 KHz       27 nf     3.0 K     .27 uf     5.6 K        8.2 nf
LMX2325         IntegerN   5.0 ma    10 KHz       68 nf     620       .68 uf     1.1 K        22 nf
ADF 4112         IntegerN   5.0 ma    10 KHz       68 nf     620       .68 uf     1.1 K        22 nf
LMX2350/53    IntegerN   1.6 ma    10 KHz       22 nf     2.0 K     .22 uf     3.6 K        6.8 nf
LMX2326         IntegerN   1.0 ma    10 KHz       12 nf     3.0 K     .15 uf     5.6 K        4.7 nf
LMX2350/53    FractionN   1.6 ma    80 KHz      2.7 nf    2.0 K     27 nf      3.6 K        820 pf
  Notice that the LMX2350 and LMX2353 can be operated as a Fractional-N PLL.  This allows the PDF to run at a higher frequency, and yet, step in 5 KHz increments.
Click here to see a schematic of PLL 2 using the LMX 2353.

Here is a schematic and suggested values to build Mixer 3.  It can be built on the Generic Mixer Module Board.  The mixer can be an ADE-11X or a suitable mixer with the same footprint.  Resistor values are shown for 6 dB, 16 dB, and 37 dB pads.
mixer 3 A  mixerboard.jpg

Here is a schematic and suggested values for an amplifier with an integrated high pass filter.
amphpf  single amplifier
    This amplifier should have an average gain of +20 dB from 800 Mhz to 2000 Mhz, and should saturate with an output of +13 dBm.  5 volt operation is not a necessity.  The 30 ohm bias resistor can be changed for other voltage regulators.  The SGA-4586 is a suggestion, and a variety of other amplifiers will work well.  Shown, is a single stage amplifier board that Cash Olsen has produced.  It has room on the input for a resistive attenuator or a pass filter.
    The PLL 3 Module is identical to the MSA's PLL 2 module and can be seen on the main page.  Likewise, the VCO 3 Module is identical to the MSA's VCO 2 Module.


New Tracking Generator
Block diagram of the MSA with the New Tracking Generator, highlighted:
new trk gen block diagram
Block Diagram of MSA/TG (new)

    This diagram highlights the area of the new Tracking Generator design.  It is substantially different than the old TG design, and has improved characteristics.
    The similarity of this TG's LO 3 and the basic MSA's LO 1 is not coincidental.  They are identical, with one exception.  The DDS 3 in the TG is serially commanded, the DDS 1 is parallel commanded.  To construct the LO3 chain, go to the Main Page and duplicate the LO1 chain.
    LO 3 will command from 1024 Mhz to 2024 MHz.  The output from VCO 3 is amplified to a level of +13 dBm, and used as the LO drive for Mixer 3.  Medium level mixers only require about +7 dBm for LO drive, thus the mixer module has space for a resistive attenuator.  The fixed frequency of 1024 MHz, from LO 2, is input to the R port of Mixer 3.  Mixer 3 output (I port) will range from 0 MHz to 1000 MHz, thus, "tracking" the MSA.  The LO 1 frequency and LO 3 frequency will always have a differential frequency equal to the frequency of the Final I.F.  However, the software can be told to "offset" the Tracking Generator output.  This is particularly useful when injecting a certain frequency into a test device and a different frequency is the output of that device (such as, a transciever).
    Notice, the Mixer 3 module also contains a 1000 MHz low pass filter on the TG output.  If the user is interested in using the higher frequency mixing products, this filter can be deleted.

   Like the Original TG, this New TG will produce interference, but in a different way.  There are two interfering frequency sources that have the potential of interfering with the MSA chain.
    The first is the Tracking Generator output frequency created by Mixer 3.  Some of the internally generated TG Output energy (0 MHz to 1000 MHz) will travel out of the R port of Mixer 3 back to VCO 2.  The TG frequency will enter Mixer 2, via the L port, causing some interference with the mixing action of Mixer 2.  This interference would be noticeable, only when the Tracking Generator is commanded to the same frequency as the Final I.F (10.7 MHz).  However, since the buffer amplifiers have excellent isolation at low frequencies, there should be little effective interference.
    The second interfering source is a bit more complex.  And, I didn't notice it in my original test environment.  This source is a combination of LO 1, LO 3, and Mixer 2.  Here is how it is created:
As stated before, the mixers have a certain amount of port to port isolation.  Mixer 1 allows LO 1 to travel from its L port to the R port.  The cavity filter will allow LO 1 frequencies from 1013.3 to about 1015 MHz to freely pass to Mixer 2.  The roll-off of the cavity filter will attenuate frequencies above 1015 MHz.

    Mixer 3 will allow the L port energy of VCO 1 (1024 to 2024 MHz) to pass through to the R port.  This signal will travel back to VCO 2.  Although there is isolation in the LO 2 module, the signal will pass through the VCO 2 module and be present on the L port of Mixer 2.  The two signals, 1013.3 MHz from VCO1/Mxr1 and 1024 MHz from VCO3/Mxr 3 are combined in Mixer 2 to create 10.7 MHz.  As the MSA/TG is swept, the two frequencies are always 10.7 MHz in difference.  As the MSA/TG is swept above the bandwidth of the cavity filter, the interference decreases to a level that is of no concern.  The bandwidth of the cavity filter will determine the cut-off frequency of interference.  In my MSA/TG the interference does not become unnoticeable until the MSA is tuned above 3 MHz.
    I am showing an output of -10 dBm but that is dependent on the Mixer 3 loss, and the originating power level of the 1024 MHz sample from LO 2.  This is much more power than is usually required to make reference magnitude measurements.  Therefore, the attenuator in the Mixer 3, R port could be increased to reduce the Tracking Generator output and, consequently, reduce the amount of interference.
    As previously stated, the LO 3 chain is identical to the MSA's LO 1 chain.  DDS 3 will "steer" PLL 3 as it's Reference Clock.  The DDS 3 is commanded serially from the J4 port of the Control Board.  There is a minor modification to the original DDS module to allow for serial commanding.  Two resistors are added on the module's control connector, a pull up and a pull down resistor.  See the DDS schematic on the main page, for the modification.
    The VCO 3 has two outputs, a high level output (+13 dBm) and a low level (-3 dBm).  We are using the high level for LO injection for Mixer 3.  The low level output can be loaded into 50 ohms, or used for other purposes.  My main purpose for the secondary output will become apparent when you read the web page on how to convert the MSA into a Vector Network Analyzer.
    This TG can be used as a stand alone UHF synthesizer to create frequencies from about 950 MHz to 2050 MHz.  The output can be multiplied, or it can be combined with other frequencies, using Mixer 3, R port.  Mixer 3 can be modulated from the I port (normally the output port) and the output taken from the R port.

    The Tracking Generator is controlled by software commands via the MSA Control Board.  PLL 3 is controlled from Control Board J3.  DDS 3 is controlled from Control Board J4.  Go to the main page to see a schematic diagram of the MSA Control Board.  Use your web browser's "Back" button to return here.

    The Tracking Generator is never actually turned off.  When the software commands the "Track Gen Off" it simply commands the TG to idle at a frequency that will not interfere with normal MSA operation.  At the present time, that frequency is 970 MHz.  And, it can be changed in the user's portion of the software code.  When the operator commands the "Track Gen On", the TG will command to the same frequency that the MSA is tuned to.

The following is the same schematic to build Mixer 3 for the Original TG.  It can be used for the New TG by changing the resistor values.
mixer 3A

    The VCO 3 Module is identical to the MSA's VCO 1 Module, and can be seen on the main page.  Likewise, PLL 3 Module is identical to MSA's PLL 1 Module.  The DDS 3's Square Ampl Module is the same as the MSA's DDS's Square Ampl Module.  DDS 3 Module is identical to the MSA's DDS Module, with the resistor modification.

    I hesitate to recommend one TG over the other.  Both have their pros and cons.  The software will accomodate either.  However, I do like the idea that the New TG can be used as a general purpose, stand-alone signal generator.  Also, it less self generated interference than the old TG.
 Added note 9-12-06:  After much testing of the VNA option, I will change my recommendation.  The New Tracking Generator is the better choice for use with the VNA.  The reason is, the VNA phase measurements are truely accurate, only, when the input to the MSA is 50 ohms.  The Mixer 1 input and the Tracking Generator Mixer 3 outputs are not 50 ohms over frequency.  They can be brought closer to 50 ohms by adding 10 dB pads to the ports.  With the high level of -10 dBm output of the new TG, there is still plenty of power available, after the addition of the 10 dB pads.

    I would like to point out to the reader, that, the absolute frequency of the MSA and the Tracking Generator Output will not be, precisely, the same frequency as the software command, even if the Master Oscillator is precise.  This is due to the DDS as a steering frequency, for either MSA's LO1 and/or TG's LO 3.  The DDS is quite accurate, but it is not "phase locked" to the Master Oscillator.  It is treated as a frequency divider, and the software will command the DDS to the closest significant bit.  Therefore, it's output frequency will be accurate within one bit, or 0.014 Hz.  This seems pretty good, but remember, the DDS output is "multiplied" in the PLL by anywhere from 93 to 190 times.  This equates to a frequency resolution of 1.3 Hz to 2.6 Hz when the PLL is tuned from 1000 MHz to 2000 MHz.  For use in a Spectrum Analyzer or properly designed into a Vector Network Analyzer, this is not of concern.  But, it is just a general warning that the Tracking Generator is not a precision frequency source.  With certain software conditions, it can be made a precision step frequency source.  However, the MSA does not do that.  I just wanted to make this statement before someone emails me and says, "Hey, Scotty.  You jerk, I commanded the MSA to zero MHz and the Tracking Generator has an output of one fifth Hertz, what gives?"

Scotty Sprowls, email is wsprowls (at) yahoo.com
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