Performance Measurements

Phase Noise Profiles and Spectrum Graphs

Reference Clock

Test conditions

The Ref Clock is configured with an internal 10 MHz reference. A 50R cable was used to connect Crimson TNG to a Rhode and Swartz FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer where we captured the results.

Measurement Results

Figure 1: Phase Noise of Reference Clock

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Figure 2: Spectrum of Ref Clock

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Device Clock

Test conditions

The Dev Clock, used for converters, operates at 325MHz (Configured with internal 10MHz reference). A 50R cable was used to connect Crimson TNG to a Rhode and Swartz FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer where we captured the results.

Measurement Results

Figure 3: Phase Noise profile of Dev Clock

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Figure 4: Spectrum of Dev Clock

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Tx Waveform Performance Measurements

Note on Phase Noise

In this section, you will find the command to create the Normalized 0 dBm Spectrum (SNR) plot shown, and a .pdf file of all phase noise and dynamic range measurements.

Test conditions

Measurements were taken using a Rhode and Swartz FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer. The RF port of the phase noise analyzer was connected to the Tx A port. Waveforms were generated using tx_waveforms, an example program that is included with libUHD, and run with the specified command options required to obtain a 0dBm output measurement.

Tx Measurements at 50 MHz

Normalized 0 dBm Spectrum Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 6.0 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 50000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 50 MHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 5: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 50MHz (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 500 MHz

Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 14.75 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 500000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 500 MHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 6: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 500MHz (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 1.5 GHz

Normalized 0 dBm Output Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 20.25 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 1500000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 1.5 GHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 7: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 1.5GHz (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 2.8 GHz

Normalized 0 dBm Output Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 20.75 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 2800000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 2.8 GHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 8: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 2.8GHz (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 4.2 GHz

Normalized 0 dBm Output Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 30.75 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 4200000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 4.2 GHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 9: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 4.2GHz (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 5.1 GHz

A .PDF file of all Crimson TNG 5.1 GHz Tx Measurements.

Normalized 0 dBm Output Command

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 16250000 \
  --ampl 0.7 --gain 31.75 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --freq 5100000000

Measurement Package

Crimson TNG 5.1 GHz Tx Measurements: this includes phase noise and spectrum measurements for the above configuration.

Figure 10: Normalized 0 dBM Spectrum at 5.1GHz (SNR)

Rx Performance Measurements

We provide two types of receive performance measurements that aim to provide generic data on the sensitivity and dynamic range of the radio.

For sensitivity, the product is configured for maximum gain, and an input signal of a constant and specified power is injected into the radio chain. This data is subsequently plotted in the frequency domain, and the peak value provided, along with an estimate for the noise floor, allowing you to infer the minimum detectable signal (MDS) for a particular frequency.

For dynamic range, the input power of the signal, and the gain of the SDR, are adjusted to provide a near-fullswing amplitude at the ADC, and the FFT is provided. This aims to provide you with a measurement of dynamic range.

Rx Max Sensitivity Measurements

The Rx sensitivity measurements is intended to provide a broadly applicable reference: for specific applications or requirements, performance can often be greatly improved.

These figures were taken with the following hardware parameters:

Table 1: Crimson TNG Device Parameter Revision for Max Sensitivity

Parameter	Revision
Hardware	Crimson TNG RTM9
FPGA	632cf4af1
Server	59623aab
MCU	b0a49518 (Rx)
UHD	f967ab8b

The device was configured for maximum gain, using the following WEB UI parameters:

Table 2: Crimson TNG Rx Max Sensitivity Measurement Parameters

Parameter	Value
LNA Enable	No
Gain	31.5 dBm
Attenuation	0 dBm
Sample Rate	25MSPS
FFT Size	1024
Input Power	-81.0 dBm

The input power from the signal generator was measured using a spectrum analyzer and adjusted to be constant for each frequency (to account for cable losses, etc).

Test Conditions

The device was configured for maximum gain, minimum attenuation, and the output of a signal generator was connected to Rx A. This signal was processed using GNU Radio program.

Summary Results: Relative peak amplitude and normalized noise floor measurements.

Sig. Gen. Frequency	Peak Amplitude (dB)	Mean Noise Floor (dB)	Normalized Noise Floor (dBm)
50 MHz	23.6	-8.0	-112.6
525 MHz	15.5	-12.0	-108.5
1.5 GHz	16.8	-12.0	-109.8
2.8 GHz	15.8	-13.0	-109.8
3.6 GHz	14.2	-7.5	-102.7
5.1 GHz	7.2	-14.0	-102.2

Rx Max Sensitivity at 50 MHz

Figure 11: Spectrum of 50 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 525 MHz

Figure 12: Spectrum of 525 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 1.5 GHz

Figure 13: Spectrum of 1500 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 2.8 GHz

Figure 14: Spectrum of 2800 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 3.6 GHz

Figure 15: Spectrum of 3600 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 5.1 GHz

Figure 16: Spectrum of 5100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Dynamic Range Measurements

Table 1: Crimson TNG Device Parameter Revision for Sensitivity

Parameter	Revision
Hardware	Crimson RX RTM 8
FPGA	b32cf4af1
Server	rtm5-v2.0.4-107-g59623aab
MCU	06 (radar-v2.0-3-g7f72224e)
UHD	UHD_3.13.0 (gf967ab8b)

Test conditions

In the second setup, we generated signals at various frequencies on a signal generator and passed it into Rx Channel A on the Crimson TNG. The signal is captured at full swing using a GNU Radio program, alongside some overrides in the Web UI), where the Rx Gain and Rx Attenuation were set to varying values for each frequency.

Rx Dynamic Range at 50 MHz

Figure 17: Spectrum of 50 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 525 MHz

Figure 18: Spectrum of 525 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 1.5 GHz

Figure 19: Spectrum of 1500 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 2.8 GHz

Figure 20: Spectrum of 2800 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 4.2 GHz

Figure 21: Spectrum of 4200 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 5.1 GHz

Figure 22: Spectrum of 5100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions