Microwave Bridges

Devices

Available devices:

  • Mikran X-band MW Bridge (TCP/IP Socket); Tested 06/2021
  • Mikran X-band MW Bridge v2 (TCP/IP Socket); Tested 12/2022

Functions

mw_bridge_name() 

mw_bridge_name() -> str

This function returns device name.

mw_bridge_synthesizer(*freq) 

mw_bridge_synthesizer(freq: int) -> none
mw_bridge_synthesizer() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_synthesizer(9750)
sets the frequency of the synthesizer to 9750 MHz.

This function queries or sets the frequency of the synthesizer in MHz. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new frequency value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current frequency.
The valid range of frequency is from 9000 to 10000 MHz with 1 MHz step. The range can be modified in the config file. The output is in the form: ‘Frequency: 9750 MHz’.

mw_bridge_att1_prd(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att1_prd(attenuation: float) -> none 
mw_bridge_att1_prd() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_att1_prd('1.5') sets the attenuation to 1.5 dB for the first
attenuator in the PRD part of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the first attenuator in the PRD part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current attenuation.
The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step. The output is in the form: ‘Attenuator PRD1: 15.5 dB’.

mw_bridge_att2_prd(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att2_prd(attenuation: float) -> none 
mw_bridge_att2_prd() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_att2_prd() returns the attenuation for the second attenuator
in the PRD part of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the second attenuator in the PRD part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current attenuation.
The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step. The output is in the form: ‘Attenuator PRD2: 15.5 dB’.

mw_bridge_fv_ctrl(*phase) 

mw_bridge_fv_ctrl(phase: float) -> none
mw_bridge_fv_ctrl() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_fv_ctrl('100') 
sets the phase shifter in the CTRL part of the bridge to 100 deg.

This function queries or sets the phase (in deg) of the phase shifter in the CTRL part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new phase value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current phase.
The valid range is from 0 to 354.375° with 5.625° step. If there is no phase setting fitting the argument the nearest available value is used and warning is printed. The output is in the form: ‘Phase CTRL: 5.625 deg’.

mw_bridge_fv_prm(*phase) 

mw_bridge_fv_prm(phase: float) -> none
mw_bridge_fv_prm() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_fv_prm() returns the phase in the PRM part of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the phase (in deg) of the phase shifter in the PRM part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new phase value. If there is no argument the function returns the current phase.
The valid range is from 0 to 354.375° with 5.625° step. If there is no phase setting fitting the argument the nearest available value is used and warning is printed. The output is in the form: ‘Phase PRM: 5.625 deg’.

mw_bridge_att_prm(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att_prm(attenuation: float) -> none
mw_bridge_att_prm() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_att_prm('2 dB') sets the attenuation to 2 dB 
for the attenuator in the PRM part of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the attenuator in the PRM part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation value. If there is no argument the function returns the current attenuation.
The valid range is from 0 to 22 dB with 2 dB step. The output is in the form: ‘Video Attenuation: 14 dB’.

mw_bridge_att2_prm(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att2_prm(attenuation: float) -> none
mw_bridge_att2_prm() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_att2_prm('2 dB') sets the attenuation to 2 dB 
for the attenuator 2 in the PRM part of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the attenuator 2 in the PRM part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current attenuation.
The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step. This function is only available on the Mikran X-band MW Bridge v2. The function mw_bridge_k_prm() should be used for Mikran X-band MW Bridge. The output is in the form: ‘Video Attenuation 2: 14 dB’.

mw_bridge_k_prm(*amplif) 

mw_bridge_k_prm(amplification: float) -> none
mw_bridge_k_prm() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_k_prm(0) sets the amplification coefficient to 0 dB.

This function queries or sets the amplification coefficient (in dB) in the PRM part of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new amplification value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current amplification.
The valid values are 0 and 22 dB. This function is only available on the Mikran X-band MW Bridge. The function mw_bridge_att2_prm() should be used for Mikran X-band MW Bridge v2. The output is in the form: ‘Amplification PRM: 22 dB’.

mw_bridge_cut_off(*cutoff) 

mw_bridge_cut_off(cutoff: int) -> none
mw_bridge_cut_off() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_cut_off(300) sets the cut-off frequency to 300 MHz.

This function queries or sets the cut-off frequency (in MHz) of the bridge. If an argument is specified the function sets a new cut-off frequency. If there is no argument, the function returns the current cut-off frequency.
The valid values are 30, 105, and 300 MHz. The output is in the form: ‘Cut-off Frequency: 105 MHz’.

mw_bridge_rotary_vane(*atten, mode) 

mw_bridge_rotary_vane(attenuation: float, mode = 'Arbitrary')
mw_bridge_rotary_vane() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_rotary_vane('10 dB', mode = 'Arbitrary')
sets the attenuation of the rotary vane to 10 dB.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the rotary vane attenuator of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation value. If there is no argument, the function returns the current attenuation. The valid range is from 0 to 60 dB with 0.1 dB step.
There are also two possible mode of the attenuator, that can be selected using the ‘mode’ key argument. The available modes are: [‘Limit’, ‘Arbitrary’]. In ‘Limit’ mode only two limit values of the attenuation can be used: 0 dB and 60 dB. This mode is usually used for initialization. In ‘Arbitrary’ mode any attenuation value from the range of 0 to 60 dB with 0.1 dB step can be used. The output is in the form: ‘Rotary Vane Attenuation: 10 dB’.
This function is not available on the Mikran X-band MW Bridge. For consistency, it is always best to end the experimental script at 60 dB attenuation:

mw_bridge_rotary_vane(60, mode = 'Limit')

mw_bridge_telemetry() 

mw_bridge_telemetry() -> str

Example: mw_bridge_telemetry() returns the telemetry.

This function returns the telemetry. The format is DATE; TEMPERATURE; STATE (INIT/WORK).

mw_bridge_initialize() 

mw_bridge_initialize() -> none

Example: mw_bridge_initialize() resets the bridge to initialization state.

This function returns the bridge to initialization state. The initialization state corresponds to ATT1_PRD = 0 dB; ATT2_PRD = 0 dB; FV_CTRL = 0°; FV_PRM = 0°; ATT_PRM = 0 dB; K_PRM = 22 dB for Mikran X-band MW Bridge or ATT2_PRM = 0 dB for Mikran X-band MW Bridge v2; CUT-OFF frequency = 300 MHz; Synthesizer frequency = 1000 MHz; Synthesizer power = OFF.