FDA-301A
Frequency Distribution Amplifier
- Category: Frequency Distribution Amplifier
- Manufacturer: Pendulum Instruments
- Sine frequency range: 100 kHz – 60 MHz (10 MHz by default)
- Pulse distribution bandwidth: Up to 20 MHz (1-pps, IRIG-B DCLS)
- Maximum outputs (fiber): 18 (3 x 6-output fiber modules)
- Maximum outputs (coax): 12 (3 x 4-output coax modules)
- Data sheet: Download PDF
- External link: Official product page
Overview
The FDA-301A is a modular point-to-multipoint distribution amplifier for reference frequency and time synchronization signals, carrying a signal from one central frequency standard, or central timing source, to as many as 18 remote receiving points up to 2 km away over fiber. Narrowband sine distribution is completely analog, without PLLs or other frequency recovery circuits, which is what makes its jitter so low and keeps the quality of a reference anywhere between 100 kHz and 60 MHz (10 MHz by default). Pulse distribution (1-pps and IRIG-B DCLS) is broadband, up to 20 MHz, and a separate RS-232 serial Time-of-Day interface carries NMEA or user-defined messages. Three output module slots at the rear take coax or fiber output modules in any combination, for up to 18 fiber outputs or 12 coax outputs; cascading 18 remote receivers lets a single FDA-301A serve as many as 218 local users. Every input is dual, in a master-slave configuration with automatic change-over, and the optional external 24 V DC inlet adds power redundancy. The unit meets MIL-PRF-28800F Class 3 for vibration and shock, so it can be deployed in test, measurement and defense installations where reliability is the point.
Key features
- Point-to-multipoint distribution over fiber — Reference frequency and timing signals reach as many as 18 remote sites up to 2 km away over fiber, which puts an end to electromagnetic noise pick-up and ground current loops.
- Minimal jitter from a purely analog design — Sine distribution is analog filtering throughout, with no PLL or any other frequency recovery circuit, for the lowest jitter and the highest frequency fidelity anywhere between 100 kHz and 60 MHz.
- Modular output slots — Three output module slots at the rear take 10 MHz coax, fiber, 1-pps, IRIG-B, Time-of-Day and 2.048 MHz/Mbps output modules in whatever combination the installation calls for.
- Redundant dual inputs with automatic change-over — Every input is dual, in a master-slave configuration that changes over seamlessly the moment the master signal fails, and the optional external 24 V DC inlet extends the redundancy to the power supply.
- Time synchronization signal distribution — 1-pps pulses, IRIG-B time code (DCLS) and RS-232 serial Time-of-Day messages (NMEA or user-defined) are all distributed, which together deliver a complete and precise time scale.
- Cascades into a large system — One FDA-301A cascaded to 18 remote receivers serves as many as 218 local users, enough for site-wide time and frequency synchronization at a large research facility, a telecom site or a defense system.
Typical applications
- One frequency standard driving every instrument in step — Where a laboratory works from a rubidium clock or a GNSS timing receiver as its master reference, the FDA-301A distributes the 10 MHz sine and the 1-pps signal together to the frequency counters, phase noise analyzers, signal generators and everything else on the bench, so every instrument shares one low-jitter time base and the timing errors between them fall away.
- Synchronous frequency distribution across floors and buildings — A telecom facility or data center has to carry synchronous clock signals — the 2.048 MHz E1 clock, 1-pps and serial time messages — to other floors or to remote nodes as far as 2 km away. The FDA-301A reaches as many as 18 remote sites point-to-multipoint over fiber, and its dual inputs change over automatically so service continues through a switch from master to standby.
- Isolated time and frequency distribution where interference is a concern — At satellite ground stations, radar test ranges and defense laboratories, differences in rack ground potential readily produce ground loop noise and the installation is highly sensitive to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). By replacing long coax runs with fiber, the FDA-301A isolates the two ends electrically, removing ground loops and noise pick-up entirely, so each remote site receives the frequency reference with the same low-jitter quality as the source.
Key specifications
Key specifications for FDA-301A, as published by Pendulum Instruments. For the full datasheet or a customized configuration, please get in touch.
| Sine frequency range | 100 kHz – 60 MHz (10 MHz by default) |
|---|---|
| Pulse distribution bandwidth | Up to 20 MHz (1-pps, IRIG-B DCLS) |
| Maximum outputs (fiber) | 18 (3 x 6-output fiber modules) |
| Maximum outputs (coax) | 12 (3 x 4-output coax modules) |
| Maximum fiber length | 2 km |
| Inputs | Dual, master-slave, with automatic change-over |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 90 mm x 210 mm x 395 mm (2U, half 19" rack) |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to +50°C |
| Storage temperature | -40°C to +70°C |
| Shock | Half-sine 30G (MIL-PRF-28800F) |
| Safety | EN 61010-1:2011 |
| EMC | EN 61326:2013-6, increased test levels (EN 61000-6-2:2008) |
Frequently asked questions
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