User's Manual

Table Of Contents

Rev 1.34, June 2, 2004

5.2. Equipment Handling

5.2.1. Attaching and Detaching SMA Connectors

The impedance characteristics of SMA connectors can degrade rapidly if they are not handled

properly. Such degradation will almost certainly affect measured tests results. To ensure the

accuracy of test results, follow these guidelines when attaching and detaching SMA connectors:

• Align center conductors carefully before mating connectors to prevent degradation.

• Never force a connection between two connectors that do not mate easily.

• Support cables or devices that are being connected to prevent lateral forces that can

damage connectors.

• Regularly inspect connectors with a magnifying glass. Replace any that are damaged to

prevent degradation of mating connectors. Damage may include: excessive thread wear

or deformation, corrosion, misalignment, rounding off of edges, contamination or

discoloration.

• Use a torque wrench (see Table 3) on the male side and a small open-ended wrench on

the female side.

• Prevent rotation of SMA center conductors. Do this by holding the female stationary with

an open-ended wrench while turning the hex nut on the male with a torque wrench while

simultaneously preventing rotation of the cable attached to the male.

CAUTION: Turning the center conductor of an SMA female connector may permanently

damage the connector and possibly invalidate any subsequent test results using it.

5.2.2. Avoiding Equipment Damage Due to Electrostatic Discharge

The center conductor of the Evaluation Kit’s antenna input connects directly to a highly sensitive

receiver circuit. As a result, avoid any static discharge into the antenna port since it can severely

damage a UWB transceiver.

CAUTION: Take proper precautions to prevent electrostatic discharge while working with the

WDK transceivers. All personnel working in or around the equipment should be

properly grounded, as should all electronic or other equipment used during testing.

Do not touch the antenna center conductor, particularly by wiping or brushing

across it, as this may permanently damage internal circuitry.

5.2.3. Attaching the Antenna to a Transceiver

Use the a calibrated tourque wrench designed for SMA connectors when attaching the antenna

to a transceiver and thereby decrease the likelihood of loosening the antenna when it is

positioned during testing.

5.3. Guidelines for Running Tests

5.3.1. Order of Configuration and Test Command Execution

The order in which test and configuration commands are run can affect the accuracy of results.

To ensure accurate results, follow the guidelines below:

• Always configure a UWB Node acting as a receiver before configuring a Node acting as

a transmitter when running one of the tests specified below.