What does it do?  

The Automated Distortion Characterization and Information System is an extension of the Matrix equipment control software that automatically makes RF measurements selected from the following: Cross Modulation (XMOD), Composite Triple Beat (CTB), Composite Second Order (CSO), Carrier to Noise (C/N), Discrete Second Order, Discrete Third Order Distortion. Measurements are made, and the test results and a profile describing the test conditions are saved in a database for later retrieval or reporting. A beat tabulation utility is included to calculate the frequencies at which 2nd and 3rd order products will occur. 

A set of reports is provided, but the user may modify these or add additional reports. The data can also be transformed into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and automatically analyzed to highlight results not meeting specifications that the user provides. For more information, see Automatic Distortion Characterization and Information System Brochure.

Benefits:

• Up to 10 times faster than manually measuring, entering, tabulating, and analyzing distortion data.
• Eliminates keying errors as compared to manual entry of data into a computer.
• Calculates and displays a tally and the frequencies at which the 2nd and 3rd order beats occur.
• Eliminates the drudgery and fatigue of making repeated measurements.
• Frees up personnel by providing unattended operation when performing a series of tests on a group of frequencies.
• User customizable report, spreadsheet, and spectrum analyzer distortion measurement programs.
• Rapid search and retrieval via database queries.

• On-line context sensitive help and hardcopy documentation.

An automatically generated spreadsheet from the measured test results in the database, with the out of specification results highlighted, is shown below:

Requirements:  

Pentium PC with Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0, GPIB IEEE488 interface (Capital Equipment Corp. PC 488, or National Instrument NI 488.2 series interfaces), Matrix ASX Series remotely controlled generator, Spectrum Analyzer (HP 8568B, or HP 8591 series).

Recommended:

• Matrix AFS filter selector with filters for the frequencies to be measured. (This will allow fully automated operation).
• Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel software for automated reporting and results analysis.
• Stanford Research SR 760 FFT, and Matrix SQ-1 squaring circuit for FFT square law method distortion testing that will permit measuring lower distortion noise floors.

The software can be customized to your specific needs at additional cost.