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RECEIVER TESTS
Two tone and spurious response (single signal) receiver tests should be performed on EW and radar
receivers to evaluate their spurious free dynamic range. A receiver should have three ranges of performance: (1)
protection from damage, (2) degraded performance permitted in the presence of a strong interfering signal(s) and
no degradation when only a strong desired signal is present, and (3) full system performance. The original
MIL-STD-461A design requirement and its companion MIL-STD-462 test requirement specified four receiver tests.
These standards allowed the interfering signal(s) to be both inband and out of band, which is meaningful for
design and test of EW receivers, however inband testing generally is not meaningful for narrowband communications
receivers. These standards were difficult to follow and had to be tailored to properly evaluate the EW and radar
system. MIL-STD-461B/C still allowed the interfering signal(s) to be both inband and out of band but deleted the
single signal interference test (CS08 Conducted Susceptibility test). MIL-STD-461D/-462D leave the pass/fail
criteria entirely up to what is listed in the individual procurement specification. It also places all interfering
signals out of band, redesignates each test number with a number "100" higher than previously used, and combines
"CS08" as part of CS104. Therefore, to provide meaningful tests for EW and radar systems, the procurement
specification must specify the three ranges of performance mentioned in the beginning of this section and that the
tests are to be performed with the interfering signal(s) both inband and out of band. The four tests are as
follows (listed in order of likelihood to cause problems):
The rest of this section explains the application of these tests and uses the names of the original MIL-STD-
461A tests to separate the tests by function.
 TEST
SETUP
A directional coupler used backwards (as shown here in Figure 1) is an easy way to perform two signal
tests. The CW signal should be applied to the coupling arm (port B) since the maximum CW signal level is -10 dBm.
The pulse signal should be applied to the straight-through path (port C) since the maximum pulse level is +10 dBm
peak. These power levels are achievable with standard laboratory signal generators, therefore one doesn't have to
resort to using amplifiers which may distort the signals. Always monitor the output signal to verify spectrally
pure
 signals
are being applied to the test unit. This can be accomplished by another directional coupler used in the standard
configuration. Dissimilar joints or damaged or corroded microwave components can cause mixing. This can also
result if the two signal generators are not isolated from one another. Therefore, even if a directional coupler is
used to monitor the signal line, it is still advisable to directly measure the input to the receiver whenever
there is a suspected receiver failure. This test does not need to be performed in an EMI shielded room and is more
suitable for a radar or EW lab where the desired signals are readily available. If the receiver's antenna is
active or cannot be removed, a modified test as shown in Figure 2 should be performed. The monitoring antenna
which is connected to the spectrum analyzer should be the same polarization as the antenna for the receiver being
tested. Amplifiers may be required for the F1
and F2 signals. It is desirable to perform this test in an anechoic chamber or in free space. In
the following discussion of CS08, CS04, CS03, and CS05 tests, it is assumed that when the receive light
illuminates, the receiver identifies a signal that matches parameters in the User Data File (UDF) or
pre-programmed list of emitter identification parameters. If a receiver is different, the following procedures
will have to be appropriately tailored. If the UDF does not have entries for very low level signals in the 10% and
90% regions of each band, complete testing is not possible. Most problems due to higher order mixing products and
adjacent band leakage are only evident in these regions. In the following tests, the lowest level where the
receive light is constantly on is used to identify the minimum receive level. If a receiver has a receive level
hysteresis or other idiosyncrasy, then using a 50% receive light blinking indicator may be more appropriate.
Whatever technique is appropriate, it should be consistently used during the remainder of the test. The maximum
frequency for testing is normally 20 GHz. If a millimeter wave receiver is being tested, the maximum frequency
should be 110 GHz.
CS08 - UNDESIRED, SINGLE SIGNAL INTERFERENCE TEST
MIL-STD-461B/C (EMI design requirements) deleted this test. MIL-STD-461D allows a single signal test as
part of CS104 (CS04) but specifies it as an out of band test. The original CS08 inband and out of band test is
still needed and is the most meaningful test for wide band EW receivers which have a bandwidth close to an octave.
This test will find false identification problems due to 1) lack of RF discrimination, 2) higher order mixing
problems, 3) switch or adjacent channel/band leakage, and 4) cases where the absence of a desired signal causes
the receiver to search and be more susceptible. In this latter case, a CS04 two signal test could pass because the
receiver is captured by the desired signal, whereas a CS08 test could fail. Examples of the first three failures
are as follows:
 EXAMPLE
1 A 2 to 4 GHz receiver which uses video detection (e.g., crystal video) and doesn't measure RF is used for
this example. This receiver assumes that if the correct Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI) is measured, it is from a
signal in the frequency band of interest. Three cases can cause false identification. Refer to Figure 3.
(1) Region A&C. The 2 to 4 GHz band pass filter will pass strong signals in regions A&C. If they have the correct
PRI, they will also be identified. (2) Region B. Any other signal besides the desired signal in the 2 to 4
GHz region that has the correct PRI will also be identified as the signal of interest. (3) Region D. Band
pass filters with poor characteristics tend to pass signals with only limited attenuation at frequencies that are
three times the center frequency of the band pass filter. If these signals have the correct PRI, they will be
incorrectly identified. High duty cycle signals (CW or pulse Doppler) in regions A, B, C, and D may
overload the processing of signals, saturate the receiver, or desensitize the receiver. This case is really a two
signal CS04 test failure and will be addressed in the CS04 section.
 EXAMPLE
2 A receiver measuring the carrier frequency of each pulse (i.e. instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM))
and the PRI is used for this example. False signal identification can occur due to higher order mixing products
showing up in the receiver pass bands. These unwanted signals result from harmonics of the input RF mixing with
harmonics of the Local Oscillator (LO). Refer to Figures 4 and 5. Mixers are nonlinear devices and yield
the sum, difference, and the original signals. Any subsequent amplifier that is saturated will provide additional
mixing products.
 If
a 8.5 GHz signal with a 1 kHz PRI is programmed to be identified in the UDF, measurements are made at the 2.5 GHz
Intermediate Frequency (IF), i.e., RF-LO = IF = 8.5-6 = 2.5 GHz. The same 2.5 GHz signal can result from
an RF signal of 9.5 GHz due to mixing with the second harmonic of the LO i.e., 2 x 6 - 9.5 = 2.5 GHz. This
signal will be substantially attenuated (approximately 35 dB) when compared to the normal IF of 9.5 - 6 = 3.5 GHz.
If the receiver has filters at the IF to reduce the signal density and a filter has minimum insertion loss at 2.5
GHz and maximum insertion loss at 3.5 GHz, then only the low level 2.5 GHz signal will be measured and assumed to
be due to a 8.5 GHz input signal whereas the input is really at 9.5 GHz.
 Spurious
intermodulation products can also result from high side mixing, but generally the suppression of undesired signals
is greater. In this case, the LO is at a frequency higher than the RF input. This is shown in Figures 6 and 7.
 As
previously mentioned, the amplitude of intermodulation products is greatly reduced from that of the original
signals. Table 1 shows rule of thumb approximate suppression (reduction), where ΔP = PRF(dBm) - PLO(dBm).
As can be seen, the strength of the LO is a factor. The higher the LO power, the more negative the suppression
becomes.
 If
one assumes the maximum RF power for full system performance is +10 dBm and the LO power level is +20 dBm, then ΔP
= -10 dB minimum. Therefore in this example, the 3RF - 2LO mixing product would be 2ΔP - 44 = - 20 - 44 = -64 dB
when compared to the desired mixing product. The use of double
mixing, as shown in Figure 8, can significantly reduce unwanted signals but it is more expensive. For a 8 GHz
signal in, one still generates a 2 GHz IF but by mixing up, then down, unwanted signals are not generated or
significantly suppressed.
 Figure 8.
Double Mixing
Some of these problems can be corrected by : (1) always having LOs on the high side versus low side
of the input RF (but this is more expensive), (2) using double mixing (3) software programming the
receiver to measure for the potential stronger signal when a weak signal is measured in a certain IF region, and
(4) improved filtering of the LO input to the mixer and the output from the mixer. EXAMPLE 3 If
the same receiver discussed in example 2 had additional bands (Figure 9) and used a switch at the IF to select
individual bands, a strong signal in an adjacent band could be inadvertently measured because: (1) the
switch, which may have 80 dB of isolation when measured outside the circuit, may only have 35 dB isolation when
installed in a circuit because of the close proximity of input and output lines, (2) the strong signal in
one band may have the same IF value that is being sought in an adjacent band, and (3) the additional
parameters such as PRI may be the same.
 As
shown in Figure 9, assume that in band 2 we are looking for a 4.5 GHz signal that has a PRI of 1 kHz. Measurements
are made at an IF of 3.5 GHz since LO-RF = IF = 8-4.5 = 3.5 GHz. If a 6.5 GHz signal is applied to band 3, its IF
also equals 3.5 since LO-RF = 10-6.5 = 3.5 GHz. If this is a strong signal, has a PRI of 1 kHz, and there is
switch leakage, a weak signal will be measured and processed when the switch is pointed to band 2. The receiver
measures an IF of 3.5 GHz and since the switch is pointed to band 2, it scales the measured IF using the LO of
band 2 i.e., LO-IF = RF = 8-3.5 = 4.5 GHz. Therefore, a 4.5 GHz signal is assumed to be measured when a 6.5 GHz
signal is applied. Similarly this 6.5 GHz signal would appear as a weak 3.5 GHz signal from band 1 or a 9.5 GHz
signal from band 4.
In performing this test it is important to map the entries of the UDF for each band i.e., show each resulting
IF, its PRI, and the sensitivity level that the receive light is supposed to illuminate, i.e., if a test in one
band used a PRI corresponding to a PRI in another band where the receive threshold is programmed to not be
sensitive this will negate the effectiveness of a cross coupling test. Mapping the UDF will facilitate applying a
strong signal to one band using the PRI of a desired signal in an adjacent band.
 CS08
TEST PROCEDURE Assume that the receiver band is 2 to 4 GHz as shown in Figure 10. Pick the UDF
entry that has the greatest sensitivity. UDF #1 entry is for a 3±.05 GHz signal with a PRI of 1 kHz. If the test
signal is set for the UDF #1 PRI, a receive light will also occur at the frequencies of UDF #2 if it also has the
same PRI (this is not a test failure). If adjacent bands don't also have entries with the same PRI, then the test
should be repeated for the band being tested with at least one of the adjacent band PRI values. (1) Set the
receiver or jammer to the receive mode, verify it is working for UDF #1 and record Po, the minimum
signal level where the receive light is constantly on. (2) Raise this signal to its maximum specified level
for full system performance. If a maximum level is not specified, use +10 dBm peak for a pulse signal or -10 dBm
for a CW signal.
(3) Tune this strong RF signal outside the UDF #1 range and record any RF frequency where the receive light
comes on. If another inband UDF has the same PRI, this is not a failure. (4) This test is performed both
inband and out of band. Out of band tests should be performed on the high end to five times the maximum inband
frequency or 20 GHz, whichever is less, and on the low end to IF/5 or 0.05 F0, whichever is less,
unless otherwise specified. The out of band power level is +10 dBm peak for a pulse signal or -10 dBm for a CW
signal, unless otherwise specified.
(5) If a receive light comes on when it is not supposed to, record the RF and reduce the power level to where
the receive light just stays on constantly. Record this level P1. The interference rejection level is P1-P0=
PIR (6) Repeat this test for each type of signal the receiver is supposed to process, i.e.
pulse, PD, CW, etc.
CS04 - DESIRED WITH UNDESIRED, TWO SIGNAL INTERFERENCE TEST
The intent is for a weak desired signal to be received in the presence of an adjacent CW signal. The
desired signal is kept tuned at minimal power level and a strong unmodulated signal is tuned outside the UDF
region. Radar and EW receivers without preselectors are likely to experience interference when this test is
performed inband. Receivers with nonlinear devices before their passive band pass filter, or filters that degrade
out of band, are likely to experience susceptibility problems when this test is performed out of band.
Tests performed inband - An unmodulated CW signal is used. If the receiver is supposed to handle both pulsed and
CW signals, this test is performed inband. If the pulse receiver is supposed to desensitize in order to only
process pulse signals above the CW level, then only this limited function is tested inband i.e., normally the
levels correspond, if a CW signal of -20 dBm is present, then the receiver should process pulse signals greater
than -20 dBm. CS04 TEST PROCEDURE
 (1)
As shown in Figure 11, initially the pulse signal is tuned to F0 and the minimum receive level P0
is recorded, i.e., minimum level where the receive light is constantly on. (2) The pulse signal is raised
to the maximum specified level for full system performance and tuned on either side of F0 to find the
frequencies on both sides (FHigh and FLow) where the receive light goes out. If a maximum
pulse power level is not specified, then +10 dBm peak is used. In some receivers FL and FH are the band
skirts. (3) The pulse signal is returned to the level found in step 1. A CW signal at the maximum specified
CW power level for full system performance is tuned above FH and below FL. If a maximum CW
power level is not specified, then -10 dBm is used. Anytime the receive light is lost, the tuned CW RF value is
recorded. The CW signal should be turned off to verify that the pulse signal can still be received in the absence
of interference. If the pulse signal is still being received, then the interfering CW signal should be reapplied
and decreased to the lowest power level where the receive light stays on constantly. Record this level P1. The
interference rejection level is P1
- P0 = PIR. (4) Out of band tests should be performed to five times the maximum
inband frequency or 20 GHz, whichever is less, and on the low end to IF/5 or 0.05 F0, whichever is
less, unless otherwise specified. The out of band CW power level is -10 dBm unless otherwise specified.
Failures - Out of band test (1) If a non-linear device such as a limiter is placed before a band pass
filter, a strong out of band signal can activate the limiter and cause interference with the inband signal. The
solution is to place all non-linear or active devices after a passive band pass filter. (2) Band pass
filters with poor characteristics tend to pass signals with only limited attenuation at frequencies that are three
times the center frequency of the band pass filter. Passage of a CW or high duty cycle signal that is out of band
may desensitize or interfere with the processing of a weak inband signal.
CS03 INTERMODULATION TEST
This two signal interference test places a pulse signal far enough away (Δf) from the desired UDF frequency (F0)
that it won't be identified. A CW signal is initially placed 2Δf away. If an amplifier is operating in the
saturated region, these two signals will mix and produce sum and difference signals. Subsequent mixing will result
in a signal at the desired UDF frequency F0 since F1 - (F2-F1) = F0.
These two signals are raised equally to strong power levels. If no problem occurs, the CW signal is tuned to the
upper inband limit and then tuned out of band. A similar test is performed below F0.
CS03 TEST PROCEDURES
 (1)
Set the receiver or jammer to the receive mode. Verify it is working at a desired signal frequency, (F0),
and record the minimum signal level i.e., lowest level where the receive light is constantly on (record this level
P0). (2) The modulated signal is raised to the maximum specified level for full system
performance and tuned on either side of F0 to find the frequency F1 on both sides where the receive
light goes out. If a maximum power level is not specified, +10 dBm peak is used. The difference between F1
and F0
is Δf as shown in Figure 12. (3) As shown in Figure 13, a pulse signal is tuned to F1 and a CW
signal is tuned to F2 where F2 = F1 + Δf on the high side. The power level of the
two signals is initially set to P0 and raised together until the maximum specified levels
 for
full system performance are reached. If maximum power levels are not specified, then +10 dBm peak is used for the
pulse signal and -10 dBm is used for the CW signal. Whenever the receive light comes on, the two signals should be
turned off individually to verify that the failure is due to a combination of the two signals versus (1) a single
signal (CS08) type failure or (2) another inband UDF value has been matched. If the failure is due to the two
signal operation, then the power level (P1 and P2) of F1 and F2 should
be recorded. If P1=P2, the intermodulation rejection level is P1-P0=PIM.
If P1?≠P2, it is desirable to readjust them to be equal when the receive light just comes
on. (4) Once the F1 + F2 signals are raised to the maximum power test levels
described in step 3 without a failure, then F2 is tuned to the upper limit of the band. F2
should also be tuned out of band to five times the maximum inband frequency or 20 GHz whichever is less unless
otherwise specified. The out of band power level is -10 dBm unless otherwise specified. Whenever the receive light
comes on, F2
should be turned off to verify that the failure is due to a two signal test. If it is, turn F2 back on
and equally drop the power levels of F1 and F2 to the lowest level where the receive light
just comes on. Record the power levels (P1 and P2). (5) Step 3 is repeated where F1
is Δf below F0 and F2=F1-Δf. Step 4 is repeated except F2 is tuned to
the lower limit of the band. FΔ should also be tuned out of band down to 0.1 F0, unless otherwise
specified.
(6) Normally if a failure is going to occur it will occur with the initial setting of F1 and F2.
Care must be taken when performing this test to ensure that the initial placements of F1 and F2
do not result in either of the signals being identified directly.
 As
shown in Figure 14, if F1 was placed at 3.2 GHz it would be identified directly and if F2
was placed at 3.4 GHz it would be identified directly. Whereas, if F1 was at 3.1 GHz and F2
was at 3.2 GHz neither interfering signal would be identified directly but their intermodulation may result in an
improper identification at F0. Later when F2 is tuned higher, the receive light will come on
around 3.4 GHz and 3.6 GHz. This is not a test failure just a case of another inband UDF value being matched.
 CS05
- CROSS MODULATION
This two signal interference test places a weak CW signal where the receiver is programmed for a pulse
signal and tunes a strong pulse signal elsewhere. As shown in Figure 15, when an amplifier is saturated, lower
level signals are suppressed. When an amplifier is operated in the linear region all signals receive the rated
linear gain. In this test the pulse signal will cause the amplifier to kick in and out of saturation and modulate
the weak CW signal. The receiver may measure the modulation on the CW signal and incorrectly identify it as a
pulse signal.
 CS05
TEST PROCEDURE
(1) Initially the pulse signal is tuned to F0 and the minimum power level P0 where the receive
light is constantly on is recorded. (2) As shown in Figure 16, the signal is raised to the maximum
specified level for full system performance for a pulse signal and tuned on either side of F0 to find
the frequencies on both sides, (FHigh and FLow) where the receive light goes out. If a
maximum pulse power level is not specified, then +10 dBm peak is used. (3) The pulse signal from step 2 is
turned off and a second signal is placed at F0. It is a CW signal that is 10 dB stronger than the peak
power level (P0) measured is step 1. The receive light should not come on. (4) As shown in
Figure 17, the strong pulse signal of step 2 is turned back on and tuned above FH and then tuned below
FL. Out of band tests should be performed to the maximum RF of the system + maximum IF or 20 GHz
whichever is less and on the low end to the minimum RF of the system minus the maximum IF, unless otherwise
specified.
 (5)
If a receive light occurs, turn off the weak CW signal since the "failure" may be due to the tuned pulsed signal,
i.e. a CS08 failure or another inband UDF value has been matched. If the light extinguishes when the weak
CW signal is turned off, then turn the signal back on, reduce the value of the high level pulse signal until the
minimum level is reached where the light stays on constantly. Record this level as P1. The cross modulation
rejection level is P1-P0-10 dB = PCM
Table of Contents for Electronics Warfare and Radar Engineering Handbook
Introduction |
Abbreviations | Decibel | Duty
Cycle | Doppler Shift | Radar Horizon / Line
of Sight | Propagation Time / Resolution | Modulation
| Transforms / Wavelets | Antenna Introduction
/ Basics | Polarization | Radiation Patterns |
Frequency / Phase Effects of Antennas |
Antenna Near Field | Radiation Hazards |
Power Density | One-Way Radar Equation / RF Propagation
| Two-Way Radar Equation (Monostatic) |
Alternate Two-Way Radar Equation |
Two-Way Radar Equation (Bistatic) |
Jamming to Signal (J/S) Ratio - Constant Power [Saturated] Jamming
| Support Jamming | Radar Cross Section (RCS) |
Emission Control (EMCON) | RF Atmospheric
Absorption / Ducting | Receiver Sensitivity / Noise |
Receiver Types and Characteristics |
General Radar Display Types |
IFF - Identification - Friend or Foe | Receiver
Tests | Signal Sorting Methods and Direction Finding |
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) / Reflection Coefficient / Return
Loss / Mismatch Loss | Microwave Coaxial Connectors |
Power Dividers/Combiner and Directional Couplers |
Attenuators / Filters / DC Blocks |
Terminations / Dummy Loads | Circulators
and Diplexers | Mixers and Frequency Discriminators |
Detectors | Microwave Measurements |
Microwave Waveguides and Coaxial Cable |
Electro-Optics | Laser Safety |
Mach Number and Airspeed vs. Altitude Mach Number |
EMP/ Aircraft Dimensions | Data Busses | RS-232 Interface
| RS-422 Balanced Voltage Interface | RS-485 Interface |
IEEE-488 Interface Bus (HP-IB/GP-IB) | MIL-STD-1553 &
1773 Data Bus | This HTML version may be printed but not reproduced on websites.
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