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 Cyan to a Rhode and Swartz FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer where we captured the results.

Measurement Results

Figure 1: Phase Noise Profile of Reference Clock

Figure 2: Spectrum of Reference Clock

Device Clock

Test Conditions

The Dev Clock used for converters, operates at 250MHz (Configured with internal 10MHz reference). A 50R cable was used to connect Cyan 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

Figure 4: Spectrum of Dev Clock

Tx Waveform Performance Measurements

Note on Phase Noise

In this section, you will find the command to create the Normalized 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 dBm Spectrum Command

When setting the command options below, the wave-freq, ch-freq, dp-freq, and dsp-freq must add up to the frequency you wish to measure.

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 10000000 \
  --ampl 0.99 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 10000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --ch-freq 9990000
  --dp-freq 39000000
  --dsp-freq 1000000

Measurement Package

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

Normalized dBM Spectrum (SNR)

Tx Measurements at 500 MHz

Normalized dBm Spectrum Command

When setting the command options below, the wave-freq, ch-freq, dp-freq, and dsp-freq must add up to the frequency you wish to measure.

sudo ./tx_waveforms \
  --rate 10000000 \
  --ampl 0.99 \
  --wave-type SINE \
  --wave-freq 100000 \
  --channels "0" \
  --ch-freq 9900000
  --dp-freq 489000000
  --dsp-freq 1000000

Measurement Package

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

Normalized dBM Spectrum (SNR)

Receive 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 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: Cyan Device Parameter Revision for Max Sensitivity

Parameter	Revision
Hardware	Cyan TNG RTM5
FPGA	a9bedd7f5
Server	5f2ad47a
MCU	431168f4 (Rx/Time)
UHD	62a1418f

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

Table 2: Cyan Rx Max Sensitivity Measurement Parameters

Parameter	Value
Gain	80
Sample Rate	25MSPS
FFT Size	1024
Input Power (BB)	-21.5 dBm
Input Power (RF)	-60 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.

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

Input Frequency (GHz)	Input Power (dBm)	Peak Amplitude (dB)	Mean Noise Floor (dB)	Normalized Noise Floor (dBm)
0.050	-21.5	48.77	1	-69.27
0.50	-60.0	64.00	10.2	-113.8
1.5	-60.0	69.23	13	-116.23
2.8	-60.0	72.28	11.13	-121.15
3.6	-60.0	67.90	10.6	-117.3
5.1	-60.0	41.59	16.91	-84.68
8.1	-60.0	67.16	10	-117.16
12.1	-60.0	60.33	6.4	-113.93
13.1	-60.0	58.86	6	-112.86
15.1	-60.0	55.74	4.25	-111.49
18.1	-60.0	53.40	5	-108.4

Rx Max Sensitivity at 50 MHz

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

Rx Max Sensitivity at 500 MHz

Figure 12: Spectrum of 500 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 Max Sensitivity at 8.1 GHz

Figure 17: Spectrum of 8100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 12.1 GHz

Figure 18: Spectrum of 12100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 13.1 GHz

Figure 19: Spectrum of 13100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 15.1 GHz

Figure 20: Spectrum of 15100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Max Sensitivity at 18.1 GHz

Figure 21: Spectrum of 18100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Sensitivity conditions

Rx Dynamic Range Measurements

Table 3: Crimson TNG Device Parameter Revision for Sensitivity

Parameter	Revision
Hardware	Cyan TNG RTM5
FPGA	a9bedd7f5
Server	5f2ad47a
MCU	431168f4 (Rx/Time)
UHD	62a1418f

The following summary measurements were obtained for the receive channel dynamic range.

Table 4: Cyan Dynamic Range Measurement Parameters

Input Frequency (GHz)	Input Power (dBm)	Rx Gain (dB)	Peak Amplitude (dB)	Noise Floor (dB)	Dynamic Range (dB)
0.05	-29.3	30	77.8	7.85	69.95
0.50	-24.0	45	81.39	7.13	74.26
1.5	-20.0	45	81.41	7.1	74.31
2.8	-33.3	45	81.26	8.11	73.15
3.6	-29.3	45	81.55	6.16	75.39
5.1	-0.22	45	81.53	13.3	68.23
8.6	-23.1	45	81.26	1.61	79.65
12.1	-21.5	45	50	-20	70
15.1	-19.8	45	50.92	-20	70.92
18.1	8.9	45	43.62	-15	58.62

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 Cyan.

The input power and rx channel gain were varied to provide full swing, where possible, with an FFT bin size of 1024.

Rx Dynamic Range at 50 MHz

Figure 22: Spectrum of 50 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 525 MHz

Figure 23: Spectrum of 525 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 1.5 GHz

Figure 24: Spectrum of 1500 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 2.8 GHz

Figure 25: Spectrum of 2800 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 3.6 GHz

Figure 26: Spectrum of 4200 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 5.1 GHz

Figure 27: Spectrum of 5100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 8.1 GHz

Figure 28: Spectrum of 8100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 12.1 GHz

Figure 29: Spectrum of 12100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 15.1 GHz

Figure 30: Spectrum of 15100 MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions

Rx Dynamic Range at 18.1 GHz

Figure 31: Spectrum of 18100MHz Rx Waveform under Max Dynamic Range conditions