40m QIL Cryo_Lab CTN SUS_Lab CAML OMC_Lab CRIME_Lab FEA ENG_Labs OptContFac Mariner WBEEShop
  40m Log  Not logged in ELOG logo
Entry  Thu Mar 5 12:27:27 2015, manasa, Update, General, FOL fiber box on the PSL table 
    Reply  Fri Mar 6 14:29:59 2015, manasa, Update, General, FOL troubleshooting 
       Reply  Mon Mar 9 14:43:31 2015, manasa, Update, General, FOL troubleshooting FOL_trouble.pdfIMAG0341.jpgIMAG0342.jpg
          Reply  Tue Mar 10 17:48:07 2015, manasa, Update, General, FOL troubleshooting 
             Reply  Wed Mar 11 19:48:25 2015, Koji, Update, General, FOL troubleshooting 
                Reply  Thu Mar 12 11:57:38 2015, Koji, Update, General, FOL troubleshooting 
Message ID: 11128     Entry time: Tue Mar 10 17:48:07 2015     In reply to: 11123     Reply to this: 11135
Author: manasa 
Type: Update 
Category: General 
Subject: FOL troubleshooting 

[Koji, Manasa]

This problem was solved by changing the Frequency Counter range settings.

Frequency counter automatic range setting has been modified and now the range can be manually set depending on the input frequency. New codes have been written to do this. The scripts will be polished and wrapped up shortly.

Quote:

Figuring out the problem with frequency counter readouts:

RF amplifier box:
The frequency counter was setup to read the beat frequency after amplification of the RFPD signals. The output as seen on the frequency counter screen as well as the epics values was intermittent. Also, locking the arms and changing the end laser frequencies did not change the frequency counter outputs. It looks like the RF amplifier is oscillating (Oscillating frequencies were ~107 MHz and 218 MHz) and the input circuit needs to be modified and the connections need better insulation.

As of now, I have connected the RFPD outputs to the frequency counter sans any amplification and we are able to get a readout of the beat frequency at > 40MHz (Frequency counter requires much higher amplitude signals for frequencies lower than that).

The frequency counter has 4 ranges of operation: 
Range 1 : 1 - 40MHz
Range 2: 40 - 190MHz
Range 3: 190 - 1400MHz  
Range 4: 1400 - 6000MHz

I set up the beat frequency readout in various configurations to troubleshoot and have recorded my observation (attachments). The amplifiers in all cases is just a single ZFL-500LN.

There seems to be a problem with the RF amplifier and the frequency counter when they are set together. I am not able to figure it out and stuck right here sad

Attachment 1: schematic for readout and corresponding observations

Attachment 2: Oscilloscope screen snapshot for schematic 3

Attachment 3: Spectrum analyzer screen snapshot for schematic 3

More info: RFPD used is Thorlabs FPD310 and frequency counter is Mini Circuits UFC-6000. The RF amplifier has decoupling capacitors soldered across the power supply.

 

ELOG V3.1.3-