diff --git a/_posts/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block-characterization.md b/_posts/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block-characterization.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ec97af --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block-characterization.md @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +title: Aliexpress DC block characterization +author: Peter Tanner +date: 2023-08-09 19:41:27 +0800 +categories: [Electronics] # Blogging | Electronics | Programming | Mechanical +tags: [rf, microwave, electronics] # systems | embedded | rf | microwave | electronics | solidworks | automation +--- + +I recently purchased [this DC block](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002575850555.html) from Aliexpress to protect our HP 8560A spectrum analyzer. I did some basic tests on the DC block and it looks alright. + +![DC block](/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809195538.jpg) + +Firstly, I did a continuity check with a multimeter and it does not conduct DC, and it has a capacitance of about 2.2 nF. + +![Broadband performance](../assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200336.jpg) + +The DC block performs well over the 1 MHz to 2.9 GHz frequency range. At 2.45 GHz and 915 MHz there is an insertion loss of -0.2 dB. The response is "linear enough" for my tests. There is of course some non-linearity but it seems the loss in this frequency range varies, up to a maximum of -0.5 dB. The HP 8560A has a maximum frequency of 2.9 GHz, so I was not able to test it's performance up to the stated 6 GHz maximum frequency, quoted on the DC block's specifications. + +![Performance near 0 Hz](../assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200758.jpg) + +The -3 dB cutoff point is at ~850 kHz. The figure shows the performance from 300 kHz to 2 MHz (Note that the minimum frequency of the HP 8560A tracking generator is 300 kHz). So if you are using this block above 1 MHz, you should be fine. diff --git a/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809195538.jpg b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809195538.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2264cc Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809195538.jpg differ diff --git a/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200336.jpg b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200336.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..256004b Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200336.jpg differ diff --git a/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200758.jpg b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200758.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1870a4e Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/img/2023-08-09-Aliexpress-DC-block/IMG20230809200758.jpg differ