Thank you for choosing SpurFinder Version 3.5!
We are continually improving this program. Please let us know what you think and any other comments and suggestions you may have.
Latest Version: 3.5.5
Changes in Version 3.5.5
Fixed several issues with the registration process affecting users with newer versions of Windows. Users upgrading to this version may need to re-register their software with us.
Changes in Version 3.5.4
Fixed a display error on the trial program screen.
Changes in Version 3.5.3
Fixed several issues with the registration process affecting Windows Vista and 7 users. Users upgrading to this version may need to re-register their software with us.
Changes in Version 3.5.2
Fixed a display bug when first opening the program.
Changes in Version 3.5.1
Cursors should now be updated and saved properly when using a Multi Scenario Script File.
Fixed an error that occured when canceling a dialog box asking the user to overwrite an existing Multi Scenario Script File.
Changes in Version 3.5
Created a Multi Scenario utility to enable users to quickly view multiple conversion schemes.
Added an automated log file to track all conversion schemes tested during each session. The log file may be opened with the Multi Scenario utility to review the previous session.
Changes in Version 3.3
Enhanced the registration process.
Changes in Version 3.2
Removed the Run and Stop options for the software.
Added in-screen error message when Input is greater than Output.
Changes in Version 3.1
Improved the registration process. You can now send payment by PayPal, WWW form, or E-mail. The user name and registration key are sent to us electronically, thereby making the registration process easier and less prone to error.
Changes in Version 3.0
- Increased max RF and LO order to 20, allowing spurious levels up to 20RX20L.
- Added Conversion Mode to Allow Input and Output Frequencies to 'slide' with LO Frequency.
- Moved Save and Open Options to File Menu.
- Fixed carriage return problem when saving comments.
- Made graphical changes to User Interface.
Changes in Version 2.1.1:
- Made scenerio files have the suffix *.ssn.
- Added cursor locations to scenerio file.
Changes in Version 2.1:
- Added the capability to load and save SpurFinder scenario text files.
- Added a continuous run button and capability.
- Added the capability to switch dynamically to TunerHelper, and use the SpurFinder settings in TunerHelper.
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Changes in Version 2.02:
- Improved the registration process.
Changes in Version 2.01:
- Removed continuous run button from Front Panel
- Added TunerHelper connectivity (to be released soon)
- Changed the Spur Rating on the front panel to more accurately rate the conversion scheme based on typical mixer spur levels
Changes in Version 2.0:
- There is no longer any time limit on the trial version.
- SpurFinder generates a dialog box warning the user if either the Input or Output Start frequencies exceed their respective stop frequencies.
- A New Plot button has been added, which allows for implementation of modified analysis parameters without having to completely rerun the program. For convenience the button is tied to the Return key.
- A Stop button was added to halt program execution at any time.
- The new Slider Bar allows for easy measurement of all Spur Orders it intersects. It allows the user to choose any input frequency within the analysis bandwidth, and view the output signal and spurious frequencies in real-time via the Output Signals Table.
- The Spur Rating provides a dimensionless comparison between individual SpurFinder Analysis. This purely relative indicator is beneficial when comparing different conversion schemes within the SpurFinder environment.
- All plots have the LO Frequency incorporated into the Plot Title, for easy recognition when comparing screen captures or printouts of different conversion schemes.
- Spur Orders are differentiated by line color, style, and thickness. Specifically, high order spurs are represented by thick solid lines while low order spurs are shown in thin dashed lines. Each spur retains its coloring regardless of order, between one run to the next.
- The Date and Time of the analysis is automatically displayed each time the user initiates a New Plot.
- The user can add Comments about the spur model, which are stored with a Date/Time stamp in the spur data, whenever a model is saved to disk.
- The ghost spur markers in the Spur Order Key table have been removed. Only keys for actual spurs are now displayed.
Changes in Version 1.01:
- Fixed a bug that did not show a Spur line on the graph when Spur started in upper left hand corner of the graph and ended on the right side of the plot. We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused. All registered users are being informed of this bug. If you know anybody who has not yet registered, please tell them to download the newest version.
Changes since Version 1.0
- Fixed the "Number of Spurs" and the "Warning" Display
Closed the "SpurFind2.vi" after getting to the SpurProgram screen.
- Reduced the memory requirements
SpurFinder features:
- Graphically Displays the Location of Spurious Products in a Frequency Conversion Process
- Works for Up Conversions and Down Conversions
- Evaluate your Receiver or Transmitter Conversion Scheme Before you Start your Design
- Analyze Pre-Selection and Post-Selection Filter Requirements based on Spurious Frequencies
- A Valuable and Necessary Tool for all Receiver Designers
The SpurFinder program is a self-contained executable program that provides graphical information on the location of all spurious products in a frequency conversion process. The designer enters a defined INPUT FREQUENCY range, a defined OUTPUT FREQUENCY range, and a fixed LO FREQUENCY. The location of all spurious products up to "M" X RF and "N" X LO harmonics are displayed graphically. This program is a much improved tool from the old "Radar Handbook" spur charts, which are generic, normalized charts (sorry, Mr. Skolnik). These generic, normalized charts don't let you see the actual input and output frequencies to determine where the spurious frequencies are located.
The program can be used for either be mixer down conversion or up conversion processes. The program is very easy to use. The input parameters needed are:
- Input Start Frequency
- Input Stop Frequency
- LO Frequency
- Output Start Frequency
- Output Stop Frequency
- Max RF Order (M)
- Max LO Order (N)
If the application is a down conversion the input frequency or the "X-axis" would be the RF Input Frequency range. The "Y-axis," or output frequency range would be the IF frequency. If the application is an up conversion, the X-axis would be the lower IF frequency, and the Y-axis would correspond to the output RF frequency.
All plots created by this program can be printed to a postscript printer. Once these spurious frequencies are plotted, mixer information can be looked up or measured to determine the relative amplitude levels of these spurious signals for each order of LO and RF harmonic. Once the spurious amplitude levels are determined, the pre-selection filtering requirements at the input to the mixer and the post-selection filter requirements at the output of the mixer can be determined. Actual filter rejection points can then be established and filter design can proceed from there.
Other Features of the SpurFinder Program:
- Context-sensitive help is available for all plot parameters
- Spurious Frequency information can be saved to a text file for subsequent analysis
The charts can be read as follows:
For a given chart an input frequency is applied somewhere within the input frequency range. At this frequency a vertical line is drawn from top to bottom of the spur chart. At every point where a spur line crosses this vertical line, the output frequency of the spurious signal can be read on the output frequency axis. Tuning can be simulated by looking at various output spurious lines as vertical lines are placed at different points across the input frequency range.
What are the Applications for this Tool?
There are many uses for this tool. For higher RF and microwave frequencies, various conversion schemes (different combinations of LO and IF frequencies) can be evaluated to determine which conversion scheme provides the best or optimum spurious responses. This can reduce cost in the receiver by reducing the requirements for the filters on each side of the mixer.
For frequency conversions where the user does not have a choice of IF or LO frequencies, the program shows where in-band spurs and out-of-band spurs are located. This enables the designer to determine the correct filter rejections to meet receiver specifications.
The SpurFinder program will plot up to 24 spurious signals. If more than 24 spurious signals are calculated, a warning light will appear indicating that not all spurs can be plotted.
How do I buy the full operating version of SpurFinder?
The trial version is a limited version of SpurFinder. In the trial version the LO Frequency is locked. If you would like to make your copy a full running version for $129.00, just contact us (information is provided in the Registration Window), provide us with credit card information, and we can
provide you with a password to make your version fully functional.
If you have any questions, or would like to be placed on a mailing list so we can let you know when the software is available, please send us an E-mail message, or contact us at the address below.
Thank You!
We at R.A. Wood Associates would like to thank you for choosing our product and for your continued support.
R. A. Wood Associates
1001 Broad Street, Suite 450
Utica, NY USA 13501
voice: (315) 735-4217
fax: (315) 735-4328
email: rawood@rawood.com
WWW: http://www.rawood.com
