Microwave Bridges

Devices

Available devices:

  • Micran X-band MW Bridge (TCP/IP Socket); Tested 06/2021
  • Micran X-band MW Bridge v2 (TCP/IP Socket); Tested 12/2022
  • Micran Q-band MW Bridge (TCP/IP Socket); Tested 12/2023

Functions

mw_bridge_name() 

mw_bridge_name() -> str

This function returns device name.

mw_bridge_open() 

mw_bridge_open() -> ['DEVICE OPENED','DEVICE NOT FOUND']

This function is only available for Micran Q-band MW Bridge. It opens the driver of the microwave bridge and should be called before any other functions.

mw_bridge_close() 

mw_bridge_close() -> ['DEVICE CLOSED']

This function is only available for Micran Q-band MW Bridge. It closes the driver of the microwave bridge and should be called after the last operation function in the script is executed.

mw_bridge_synthesizer(*freq) 

mw_bridge_synthesizer(freq: int) -> none
mw_bridge_synthesizer() -> 'Frequency: {int} MHz'

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 in the form of ‘Frequency: 9750 MHz’. The valid range of frequency is from 9000 to 10000 MHz with 1 MHz step. The range can be modified in the configuration file.

mw_bridge_att1_prd(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att1_prd(attenuation: float) -> none 
mw_bridge_att1_prd() -> 'Attenuator PRD1: {float} dB'

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 output is in the form of ‘Attenuator PRD1: 15.5 dB’. The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step.

mw_bridge_att2_prd(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att2_prd(attenuation: float) -> none 
mw_bridge_att2_prd() -> 'Attenuator PRD2: {float} dB'

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 output is in the form: ‘Attenuator PRD2: 15.5 dB’. The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step.
This function is not available for Micran Q-band MW bridge.

mw_bridge_fv_ctrl(*phase) 

mw_bridge_fv_ctrl(phase: float) -> none
mw_bridge_fv_ctrl() -> 'Phase CTRL: {float} deg'

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 output is in the form: ‘Phase CTRL: 5.625 deg’. 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.
This function is not available for Micran Q-band MW bridge.

mw_bridge_fv_prm(*phase) 

mw_bridge_fv_prm(phase: float) -> none
mw_bridge_fv_prm() -> 'Phase PRM: {float} deg'

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 output is in the form: ‘Phase PRM: 5.625 deg’. 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.
This function is not available for Micran Q-band MW bridge.

mw_bridge_att_prm(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att_prm(attenuation: float) -> none
mw_bridge_att_prm() -> 'Video Attenuation: {int} dB'

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() -> 'Video Attenuation 2: {int} dB'

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 output is in the form: ‘Video Attenuation 2: 14 dB’. The valid range is from 0 to 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB step.
This function is only available for the Micran X-band MW Bridge v2 and Micran Q-band MW Bridge. The function mw_bridge_k_prm() should be used for Micran X-band MW Bridge.

mw_bridge_k_prm(*amplif) 

mw_bridge_k_prm(amplification: float) -> none
mw_bridge_k_prm() -> 'Amplification PRM: {int} dB'

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 output is in the form: ‘Amplification PRM: 22 dB’. The valid values are 0 and 22 dB.
This function is only available for the Micran X-band MW Bridge. The function mw_bridge_att2_prm() should be used for Micran X-band MW Bridge v2 and Micran Q-band MW Bridge.

mw_bridge_att_pin(*atten) 

mw_bridge_att_pin(attenuation: float) -> none
mw_bridge_att_pin() -> 'PIN Attenuator: {int} dB'

Example: mw_bridge_att_pin(10) sets the attenuation to 10 dB
for the pin attenuator of the bridge.

This function queries or sets the attenuation (in dB) of the pin attenuator of the bridge. If an argument is specified, the function sets a new attenuation. If there is no argument, the function returns the current attenuation. The output is in the form: ‘PIN Attenuator: 10 dB’. The valid range is from 0 to 36 dB.
This function is only available for the Micran Q-band MW Bridge.

mw_bridge_cut_off(*cutoff) 

mw_bridge_cut_off(cutoff: [30, 105, 300]) -> none
mw_bridge_cut_off() -> 'Cut-off Frequency: {int} MHz'

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 output is in the form: ‘Cut-off Frequency: 105 MHz’. The valid values are 30, 105, and 300 MHz.

mw_bridge_rotary_vane(*atten, mode) 

mw_bridge_rotary_vane(attenuation: float, mode = 'Arbitrary')
mw_bridge_rotary_vane() -> 'Rotary Vane Attenuation: {int} dB'

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 output is in the form: ‘Rotary Vane Attenuation: 10 dB’. 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.
This function is not available on the Micran 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 for Micran X-band MW Bridge and Micran X-band MW Bridge v2 is DATE; TEMPERATURE; STATE (INIT/WORK).
The format for Micran Q-band MW Bridge is DATE; ANSWER RECEIVED; PARAMS UPDATED; TI TOO SHORT; HPA TOO LONG; HPA ON INCORRECT; HPA OFF INCORRECT; EXT CLOCK CORRECT; SHAPER TOO LONG; DUTY CYCLE TOO LOW. All parameters except DATE has 0 (Off) and 1 (On) format.

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 Micran X-band MW Bridge or ATT2_PRM = 0 dB for Micran X-band MW Bridge v2; CUT-OFF frequency = 300 MHz; Synthesizer frequency = 1000 MHz; Synthesizer power = OFF.
For Micran Q-band MW Bridge a modified function should be used:

mw_bridge_initialize(state: ['On','Off']) -> none

This function initializes the bridge and turns on several options, namely “Internal Start ON”, “External Clock ON”, “Receiver LO Amp ON”, “AWG LO Amp ON”.

mw_bridge_reset() 

mw_bridge_initialize() -> none

This function is only available for Micran Q-band MW Bridge. It resets all the errors occured during the device operation. The status of these error flags can be checked using the mw_bridge_telemetry() function.