Advanced Channel Emulator – ACE9600

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  • The ACE9600 builds upon the SLE900 by adding Payload impairment capability, synchronization of up to 16 channels, 12 tap multipath fading, and 600 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. The instrument can be configured with 1 to 4 channels. Link impairments include delay, Doppler, attenuation, phase offset, AWGN, frequency hopping, and multipath fading. Payload impairments include IMUX/OMUX emulation (amplitude and delay distortion), amplifer compression effects (AM/AM and AM/PM), phase noise, and spurious signals. Parameters can be set to fixed values in Static mode, or continuously changed in real time in Dynamic mode without phase discontinuities. Ephemeris data files are downloaded via an ethernet connection and stored internally in solid state memory. These dynamic files can have playback rates from 1 Hz to 1000 Hz, and  can be executed single run, continuously looped, or single stepped.

    Remote control can be accomplished by making calls from your test software, or by using the ACEClient application program provided with the instrument. This application provides control of all ACE functions, as well as manipulation of the dynamic data files. Built into the client are wizards that can generate profiles to emulate band limiting filters such as IMUX/MUX devices, and profiles for amplifier compression.

    Remote Operation using the ACE Client

    ACE Client is a comprehensive application that allows control of all ACE functions, graphically displays impairment file contents, and it also provides wizards for creating custom profiles for payload impairments. Another feature is the Signal Capture, which generates both time and frequency domain plots of the incoming signal, and the output signal after impairments are applied.

    Signal Capture – Before and After Impairments
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    Impairment File Manager
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    Dynamic File Graphing
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    Filter Wizard
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    Phase Noise Wizard
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    Applications

    • Satellite ground equipment testing
    • Payload testing
    • Testing complex links with both space and terrestrial effects

    • Static and dynamic operation
    • Timing synchronization up to 16 channels
    • Link Emulation including:
      • Phase continuous delay, Doppler, and attenuation changes
      • AWGN and C/N generation
      • 12 tap multipath fading with Rayleigh, Rician, AOA, k-factor, and correlation controls
      • RF frequency agility
    • Payload Emulation including
      • IMUX/OMUX amplitude and delay distortion
      • Amplifier Compression (AM/AM and AM/PM)
      • Phase Noise
      • Spurious and interfering signals
    • Ephemeris data generation using SATGEN

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    Model Number ACE9072          ACE9125        ACE9300/9600
    Center Frequency 1125MHz                1125MHz          1125MHz
    1 dB RF bandwidth 72MHz                   125MHz          300/600MHz
    Maximum delay per channel 700 ms                   700ms                700ms
    No. of Independent Channels 1, 2, 3, or 4
    RF Input Power 0 dBm max
    RF Output Power 0 dBm max @ 0 dB attenuation
    In-band Spurious Suppresssion -60 dBc typ, -50 dBc max
    Noise Floor -141 dBm/Hz typical
    Amplitude Ripple < 0.5 dB p-p typ.
    VSWR 1.5:1 max into 50 ohms
    Delay Range:
    0.007 ms to 700 msec
    optional extended range to 11.2 sec
    optional extended lower limit of 0.003 msec
    Resolution:
    Static mode:0.1 ns
    Dynamic mode:0.5 psec
    Slew Rate:
    3×10−15 sec/sec up to 2 us/ms
    Relative Accuracy:
    ± 1 ns plus 10 MHz reference
    Frequency Offset Range:
    ± 6.0 MHz
    Resolution:
    0.01 Hz
    Absolute Accuracy:
    based 10 MHz reference
    Relative Accuracy:
    ± 0.1 Hz
    Attenuation Range:
    0 dB to 70 dB
    Resolution:
    0.10 dB
    Slew Rate:
    >70 dB/ms
    Accuracy:
    ± 0.20 dB
    Phase Offset Range:
    0 to 359.9°
    Resolution:
    0.1°
    Accuracy:
    < 1°
    Additive White Gaussian Noise Crest Factor:
    > 16 dB
    Repetition Interval:
    > 24 hrs
    PDF Accuracy:
    < 1% from theoretical Gaussian over 6.66σ
    Noise Bandwidth:
    same as signal passband
    Spectral Density Flatness:
    < 0.1 dB p-p max
    Noise Density Amplitude Range:
    -102 dBm/Hz typ., to instrument noise floor
    Noise Density Amplitude Resolution:
    <=0.01 dB
    Noise Density Amplitude Accuracy:
    <+/- 0.2 dB
    Eb/No Ratio Range:
    – 14 dB to +58 dB
    Ratio Resolution:
    0.01 dB
    Ratio Accuracy:
    +/- 0.2 dB
    Multipath Fading No. of Paths:
    12
    Path Characteristics:
    Dynamic Profile Update Rate:
    1 sec, affecting Doppler, delay, AoA, and attenuation
    Distribution Types:
    CW, Rayleigh, Rician, and off
    Spectral Distribution Shape (Ray, Rice):
    [SQRT{1-(f/fd)2] -1 with 6 dB peak @ fd
    Probability Density Function:
    Within 0.5 dB of theoretical from 10 dB above to 30 dB
    below mean
    Level Crossing Rate:
    <+/-2.5% from theoretical, – 30 dB to +9 dB
    Attenuation Range:
    0 to 30 dB
    Attenuation Resolution:
    0.1 dB
    Doppler Spread:
    0 to 10 KHz
    Doppler Resolution:
    1 Hz
    Delay Range:
    0 to 20 usec
    Delay Resolution:
    1 ns
    Ricean K Factor:
    -10 to 20 dB
    K Factor Resolution:
    1 dB
    Correlation:
    0 to 100%, 1% steps
    Angle of Arrival Range:
    0 to 180°
    Angle of Arrival Resolution:
    1°
    Dynamic mode Profile Update Rate:
    1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 msec
    Dynamic Parameters:
    Delay, Frequency Offset, Attenuation, AWGN, Phase Offset, Multipath Fading, RF frequency hopping
    Note: Update rate for multipath fading and frequency hopping is 100,200,500,1000 msec
    Update Rate Accuracy:
    Based on 10 MHz reference
    Triggering:
    Front panel keypad, LAN, external signal, or master/slave mode to synchronize multiple chassis’
    Triggering Accuracy:
    Synchronized to begin on the 2nd update clock after trigger
    Dynamic data file memory size:
    >50 Mbytes
    Control Interface Local:
    Front panel
    Remote:
    RJ45, IEEE-802.3
    Internal Frequency Reference Error < 2.5 PPM
    Primary Power Voltage:
    90-264 VAC autoranging
    Frequency:
    48-66 Hz
    Consumption:
    300 V A max
    Fuse:
    4A slow-blow
    Operating Ambient Temp +10°C to +40°C
    Dimensions 17″ W x 7.0″ H x 21″ D
    Weight 1 Channel:
    32lbs, with option L: 35 lbs
    2 Channel:
    33lbs, with option L: 39 lbs
    4 Channel:
    35lbs, with option L: 47 lbs

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