Overview Key Features of SG8 RF Signal Generator Output frequency range: 10 MHz 8 GHz Frequency resolution: < 0.001 Hz Spectral purity o non-harmonics (typ.):hpss (auxiliary option): 65 HP (default option): 50 o harmonics: 30 o phase noise: 120 /Hz @ 1GHz, 10 khz offset Output level: up to +28 dbm Absolute level accuracy (typ.): ±0.1 db Phase shift control o adjusting range: 360 o min. step: 0.15 @ 1GHz External input reference frequency o range: 20 150 MHz Remote control: RS-232, USB Dimensions: H x W x D: 2U x 42HP(½ 19 ) x 315 mm Brief Description Advantex SG8 10 MHz - 8 GHz signal generator is based on PLL frequency synthesizer and supports five operation modes:continuous Wave CW Sweep Frequency SWF Sweep Level SWL Frequency Modulation FM Phase Modulation φm. In CW mode one can adjust frequency, level and phase offset. There are four adjustable parameters in sweep modes: Start and Stop Frequency (in SWF) or Start and Stop Level (in SWL) Dwell Time Shape: Saw or Triangle Triggering: internal, external Triggering regime: auto, single and manual The following parameters are available in modulation modes: Frequency Level Deviation frequency (in FM) or phase deviation (in φm), or sensitivity when external modulating source is used Modulating source: internal or external Modulating signal shape: sine, square Frequency of internal modulating signal Other settings refer to REF In and REF Out signals, as well as to AUX In / TRIG and Mic In inputs. The instrument has USB and RS-232 interfaces for SCPI remote control and firmware updating capability. 1
For more information about instrument functions see Operating Manual. Applications of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator General Purpose RF Signal Generator Instrument frequency range covers the common bands for RF applications such as radio and television, mobile, wireless networks, and radio-relay communications. This makes it possible to use the instrument in testing and debugging applications for all systems listed above. High output power compensates for additional level loss on the way to the DUT. Convenient user interface, large control elements and high-contrast display make it easy to obtain the desired signal at the RF output. Small dimensions and lightweight save working space and maintain easy portability. Arbitrary Reference Frequency Generator Small frequency step combined with low phase noise in low bands allows to use SG8 synthesized signal generator as an arbitrary reference frequency source while testing the deviation tolerance of symbol clock rates and local oscillators of communication systems. Low phase noise at low output frequencies is possible due to frequency dividers used up to the lower bound of the frequency range instead of frequency conversion from high to low range. One-decibel Compression Point P 1dB Measurement for High-power Output Stages High output level of SG8 wideband signal generator enables one-decibel compression point and saturated power P SAT measurements without additional pre-amplifiers. Usually high-power output stages have relatively small gain, so availability of high power at the instrument output sufficiently simplifies the testing process. Second and Third Order Intercept Point IP 2 and IP 3 measurements Low nonlinear distortion of output stage, and high output level compensating for additional losses in attenuators following by power combiner, enable intermodulation parameters measurements of almost any RF path. RF-path Frequency Response Measurements Good frequency response flatness of SG8 microwave signal generator in wide frequency band due to APC (Automatic Power Control) and digital correction system allows to run scalar network analysis of DUT. Debugging of the RF Transceiver blocks for Telecommunication and Test & Measurement Equipment High output level and relatively low phase noise enables to use the instrument as a local oscillator for passive balanced mixers, which usually require high power for ensuring better linearity of the path. When debugging some systems, it is required that several LO sources in the same path are bound to some reference by natural factor. And reference frequency may significantly differ from standard series of references offered by most signal generators. In this case SG8 can use any frequency as a reference, making no demands to its stability or precision. Test & Measurement Automation External control interfaces (RS-232, USB) combined withscpi protocol allow to use low-cost RF signal generator in ATE applications in volume production as well as in education laboratories where equipment is usually combined to one complex controlled by PC. 2
Specifications Frequency Parameters of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator Frequency parameters of RF signal Range 3.90625 8000 MHz Resolution over entire range 0.28 10 3 Hz Settling time from rising edge at AUX In input 2.5 (frequency switching 4.5 ms over entire range) Phase shift resolution* f OUT = f REF 0.022 * Phase shift resolution equals (360 /2 14 ) f out /f ref, where f out output frequency, f ref reference frequency Internal reference frequency source Reference frequency parameters Frequency 147 MHz Accuracy at 25 C ±5 ppm Temperature effect 0..+50 C ±5 ppm Reference frequency output (REF Out) Output impedance 50 Ω Signal level (internal source) Gain (when repeating external source fed to REF In input) External reference frequency input (REF In) SG8-HP 3.5 0 +4.5 dbm SG8-HPSS 5 +5 dbm SG8-HP 1 +1 db Input impedance 50 Ω Level 10 +10 dbm Frequency 20 150 MHz Spur level (allowable at the REF In input for the PLL to lock) f ref =20MHz f ref =100MHz 70 60 3
Spectral parameters of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator Spectral characteristics of RF output signal 2-nd Harmonic (10MHz f OUT 8GHz) 3-rd Harmonic (10MHz f OUT 8GHz) Non-harmonics*, 4GHz<f OUT 8GHz Far offset noise level Phase noise, P OUT =+20dBm, f OUT =1GHz, @ offset: RMS Jitter P OUT =0dBm P OUT =+10dBm P OUT =+20dBm P OUT =0dBm P OUT =+10dBm P OUT =+20dBm SG8-HP, SG8-HPSS, SG8-HP, f offset 1MHz, f offset 1MHz, P OUT =+20dBm, f OUT =8GHz 1kHz 10kHz 100kHz 1MHz 10MHz 40 35 30 25 25 20 60 50 50 45 40 35 50 65 70 145 140 /Hz 114 120 120 132 135 70 fs Residual FM f OUT =8GHz, BW from 1kHz to 2.8 khz Residual φm 10MHz 0.2 deg /Hz Integral phase noise 52 * At lower frequency bands the non-harmonics level is improved (i.e. decreased) in proportion to 6 db per octave 4
Phase noise Level Specifications of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator Amplitude parameters of RF signal Range 20 +28 dbm Calibrated area (APC loop lock range) max. 10 +26 min. 10 +22 Resolution 0.05 db Absolute accuracy level dbm 25MHz f OUT 8GHz, 0 P OUT 20dBm ±0.1 ±0.2 dbm 25MHz f OUT 8GHz, for P OUT within calibration area ±0.3 ±0.5 Temperature effect 0.01 db/ C VSWR 50Ω load, 50MHz f OUT 8GHz 1.8 2.1 Settling time Acceptable DC voltage at RF Out from rising edge of triggering signal at AUX In input, when switching within 20dB from initial level value 2 2.5 3 ms 0 8 V Actual signal level vs. frequency at various levels set to the instrument Absolute level accuracy 5