N2PK VNA - RF-IV Sensor

Finding an enclosure for the RF-IV sensor turned out to be a real challenge. As I mentioned before, because of the size and connector locations of the RF-IV PCB, there are not that many off-the-shelf boxes that were a good fit. I wanted a box that will allow me to install the sensor directly on the VNA's BNC ports (2" apart) and with enough height to install the corresponding bulkhead connectors. I was almost ready to go the CNC machine route and fabricate the enclosure out of a solid block of aluminum. I wanted the sensor enclosure to be compact since it is supported only on the two BNC connectors. After some more searching though, the Bud Industries CN-5701 box (Digikey p/n 377-1512-ND) seemed to be a possible candidate. I still had to use a vertical mill machine to remove the little PCB slots on the inside of the aluminum box and make the walls nice and smooth.

This picture shows the box with a bushing for the control cable and the 3 bulkhead female SMA connectors. These connectors require a D-hole to prevent unwanted rotation. Initially, I was going to install male BNC connectors but decided in favour of the SMAs. They require less mounting hardware and I can always use adapters to BNC or N type connectors. In addition, the enclosure is small and installing regular 4 screws bulkhead connectors will prove to be a headache.

On the inside I installed two L-shaped supports / rails (formed out of tin-plated brass sheet) to create a "bed" for the PCB and a good solderable ground connection for the SMAs.

On the bottom of the box I placed a piece of FR4 fiberglass PCB material (I etched completely both copper layers using a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid (1:2))

This board serves as an insulator and also acts as a spacer in order to raise the PCB from the bottom of the box and bring it closer to the bulkhead connectors. The two L-shaped tin-plated side rails go on the top of the fiberglass spacer board holding it into place. The RF-IV PCB goes on top of these rails.

The RF-IV PCB is installed in the aluminum enclosure. Small ferrite toroid is used for RFI suppression on the control / power lines. The RF DET SMA is connected to the PCB using a short piece of UT-085 semi-rigid coax. Small pieces of silver-plated jumper wires (in teflon sleeves) are connecting the PCB RF ports (RF DDS and DUT) to the bulkhead SMA connectors on the box. I was trying to keep the jumpers as short as possible. Unfortunately, with this enclosure I can't use RA PCB mount SMAs. The outer edge of the PCB's ground plane is soldered directly to the tin-plated brass sides (the L-shaped side rails on each enclosure side with SMA connectors installed)

I used tin-plated brass screens to create the internal RF shielding. It is important that there is a good RF screening between the RF DDS and DUT ports. Each sampling transformer has its own screened compartment. The L-shaped rails on the two sides with the RF connectors were very convenient points for mounting the screens - I just soldered the RF shield elements to the sides.

This picture shows that the internal screening is raised about 1-2 mm from the PCB, allowing enough clearance from the components and signal traces.

Picture of the completed RF I/V sensor. This is the "side-up" for Detector 1 use but it can be used with either detector - exactly the same way the reflection bridge is used: just flipping the box and installing it on Detector 2 port (the reverse side of the box is marked for Detector 2)

N2PK VNA - Accessory Connector

The VNA software can control different accessories - like the S-Parameter setup or the RF-IV sensor. This means that some extra control signals and power should be available through an Accessory Connector. There are no available pins on the DB-25 connector and in addition it is not a good idea to have power supplied there anyway.
The Accessory Connector must be at least 6 pins if an S-parameter setup will be connected. I am not planing to build one at this time and I need connector with only 3-4 pins for the power and control signal to the RF-IV sensor and possibly a transverters. Most people are using the Mini-DIN connectors (like the ones used for the PS/2 keyboard or mouse) but I am not really fond of these connectors - this type connector does not provide very secure connection and can be easily pulled apart.
The connector I ended up using is the HR10 type (Hirose Electric) Digikey P/N HR1568-ND (female, panel mount) and HR1558-ND (male, plug). This connector is superior to the Mini-DIN. It is available in 4 pin and 6 pin configurations, it is small and it has a very nice locking mechanism.
Not cheap by any means - a pair (male-female) will set you back almost $30 but it is very high-quality product (nice looking too).

The Accessory Connector installed on the back panel of my VNA. I am using only 3 out of the 4 pins - GND, +9V and RF-IV Cntrl. Maybe one day I'll make a new silk-screen for the panel and will mark the connector appropriately. The dust cap is Digikey P/N HR345-ND.
Update Jan 2012: I am working on my S-parameter test set and I replaced the 4 pin connectors with the 6 pin version. I have 3 male and 1 female 4 pin HR10 connectors in excess of my needs. Price is $10 per connector + postage (~25% off Digi-key price). All connectors are used (were installed) but in pristine condition.