AtlanTecRF, a leading global RF and microwave components and equipment manufacturer, introduced a concept in the application and use of satellite communications Loop Test Translators, a series of instruments designed to be portable rather than part of a permanent 19” rack installation.
The new BLT range, covering S, C, X, Ku, DBS and Ka bands, feature the portable bench instrument style housing allowing the units to be readily moved between test locations. This ability is important where there is a need to test transmission equipment prior to delivery or on-site before installation and also where the ground station is mobile and there is no requirement for continuous quality monitoring.
As with AtlanTecRF’s well know rack systems, the BLTs provide translation either from transmit (Tx) to receive (Rx), Tx to L-band or L-band to Rx, thereby covering all likely frequency conversion scenarios.
AtlanTecRF C.E.O., Geoff Burling, at product launch, said “At AtlanTecRF we are always looking towards user convenience in our product development and these portable instruments represent a big step forward in user experience and versatile operation”.
The manually controlled continuously variable attenuator provides a 30dB range with LTTs having typical input and output VSWR of 1.8:1 and -20dB conversion gain. Frequency stability is determined by either an internal 10MHz OCXO with +/-0.05ppm max variation over temperature or by connection to a system 10MHz source.
Complete with tilt handle for convenient operation, these versatile and cost effective LTTs are compact at just 10.3 x 4.3 x 14.2 inches and weigh around 7 pounds.
