Capturing and playing back RF signals.

Anritsu Company, has partnered with AnaPico AG*, in response to the growing demand from customers need for instruments to capture RF signals of interest over the air and then play them back from vector signal generators.

The Anritsu IQ Signal Master™ MX280005A PC application has been enhanced to integrate the capture of RF IQ signals using the Field Master Pro™ MS2090A spectrum analyzer and then to load the IQ data file into the AnaPico VSG for playback at any frequency up to 40 GHz. The seamless process of IQ data capture and playback is ideal for in depth testing of the response of receivers to a wide range of signals.

The ability to record and analyze a broad range of radio signals including radars, telemetry links, secure communications and jammers are increasingly important to the security and defense agencies. The IQ Signal Master MX280005A integrates all the required functionality into a single package that manages the capture configuration, provides a built-in spectrum analyzer replay with microsecond resolution, and playback of the captured signal at any frequency to 40 GHz.

Built in intelligent algorithms include tools to quickly find and extract signals of interest from large data files, extraction of low-level signals from the noise and scenario testing to validate the performance of receivers to real world threats.

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*AnaPico is a Swiss certified technology leader developing, manufacturing and supplying RF and MW test & measurement instruments.

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Analog Signal Generator with higher frequency range.

The Rubidium™ high-performance analog signal generator family has been expanded by Anritsu, introducing the MG36271A, This now covers 9 kHz to 70 GHz to meet the needs of emerging extremely high frequency designs. With industry-best signal purity, output power, and frequency stability, the MG36271A fills a void in the Q/V frequency band, providing significant benefits to aerospace and defense, test and measurement, communications, components, and research applications.

The MG36271A brings the industry-leading performance of Rubidium to higher frequency applications. It has phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset, and very low harmonics for unprecedented signal purity. With a robust output power of +9 dBm at 70 GHz, MG36271A addresses a range of measurement applications in the Q/V band. Rubidium’s frequency stability (Allan deviation) of 8x10E-12 per 100 seconds is derived from an atomic clock reference which is an order of magnitude superior than other signal generators that use an OCXO reference oscillator.

As is the case with all Rubidium signal generators, the MG36271A offers an extensive set of modulation, frequency sweep, synchronization, and level control capabilities. Its modulation capabilities include AM, FM, phase and pulse to support simple to complex analog signal simulation requirements. In addition, the MG36271A offers comprehensive pulse generation capabilities to test pulse radars. All modulations can be driven by either internal or external signals.

Housed in a 3U chassis, the Rubidium MG36271A has a 7-inch touch screen and traditional keypad/dial interface on the front panel. It features 4 USB 3.0 ports on the front panel, a GPIB port on the back panel, and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. The MG36271A can be controlled remotely through standard IVI-C and IVI.NET drivers and via support of SCPI/Native commands.

With addition of MG36271A model to the already existing MG36221A and MG36241A models, Rubidium high-performance analog signal generator family offers comprehensive frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 70 GHz.

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Frequency extender modules for signal generators.

Solution to provide industry’s broadest frequency coverage and best signal purity, output power.

Anritsu Company has introduced frequency extender modules for its Rubidium™ line of signal generators, in partnership with Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VDI). Covering 50 GHz to 1100 GHz, the modules complement Rubidium’s best-in-class performance by providing the industry’s broadest frequency coverage and best output power to create a sub-THz signal generator solution for emerging scientific, wireless communications systems, and body and material scanner applications.

The integrated solution brings significant signal purity and output power benefits to sub-THz design environments. Rubidium outperforms all other signal generators in its class in phase noise and harmonic/spurious by a substantial margin. The performance advantages are preserved at sub-THz frequencies.

When the VDI frequency extender modules are used with Rubidium signal generators, engineers realize the industry’s highest output power at THz frequencies. The VDI modules offer high test port power, voltage-controlled RF attenuation, and TTL controlled ON/OFF modulation rates to a few kHz as standard.

Each frequency extender module has two multipliers, which can be configured to allow input signals in two frequency bands. One multiplier has low frequency input for < 20 GHz and 10 dBm input level and the other has high frequency input for < 50 GHz and 0 dBm input level. The Rubidium-VDI signal generation solution meets the growing demand for emerging sub-THz radio spectrum designs. It can be used during development of satellite services, radio astronomy, earth exploration, and meteorology applications.

Wireless communication systems focusing on the W band (90 GHz to 120 GHz) and D band (130 GHz to 170 GHz), as well as intersatellite links operating at 220 GHz to 330 GHz, are also applications for which the solution is designed.

“VDI strives to produce the highest quality test and measurement solutions for the mmWave, sub-THz and THz frequency ranges through frequency extension of existing microwave test infrastructure. Achieving this requires continual innovation and development to integrate leading-edge active devices with our in-house Schottky diode technology to meet tomorrow’s measurement challenges,” said Cliff Rowland V.P. Business Development, VDI. “VDI is exited to work with Anritsu to combine our high-frequency SGX extension modules with its new signal generation capability to bring high-performance solutions to the market.” 

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Rubidium Delivers New Level of Performance.
The Rubidium signal generator family delivers outstanding signal purity and frequency stability, even at high output power levels, across a broad frequency range of 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz. Coupled with built-in, easy-to-use, at-location frequency and power calibration capability, Rubidium offers exceptional overall utility and long-term value in a broad range of commercial, scientific, and military/aerospace measurement applications. Rubidium offers an order of magnitude with better frequency stability compared to other signal generators that use an OCXO-based reference. The signal generators offer groundbreaking low single sideband (SSB) phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset that is unmatched in the industry. Coupled with best-in-class harmonic and spurious performance, Rubidium signal generators enable customers to make highly accurate measurements.

@AnritsuEMEA @Anritsu @vadiodes @NapierPR #TandM 

Pure and stable signals from generator.

The Rubidium™ signal generator family from Anritsu delivers outstanding signal purity and frequency stability, even at high output power levels, across a broad frequency range of 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz. Coupled with built-in, easy-to-use, at-location frequency and power calibration capability, Rubidium offers exceptional overall utility and long-term value in a broad range of aerospace measurement applications.

Signal purity is critical to a wide range of measurement applications ranging from radar testing to testing of ADCs and DACs. The Rubidium signal generator offers groundbreaking low single sideband (SSB) phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset that is unmatched in the industry. Coupled with best-in-class harmonic and spurious performance, the Rubidium signal generator enables customers to make measurements with better accuracy.

The Rubidium offers an order of magnitude with better frequency stability compared to other signal generators that use an OCXO based reference. This exceptional frequency stability is achieved either by an optional internal Rubidium reference or by locking the signal generator’s time base to a 1 PPS reference from an optional internal GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver.

Utility, Ease of Use, and Long-Term Value
The Rubidium signal generator features built-in, on-site frequency, and level calibration that is easily accessible with the touch of a button on the GUI interface. This feature ensures customer level, accurate frequency desired, timesaving, enhancing convenience, and increasing instrument availability. An Anritsu CW USB power sensor is required for onsite level calibration. An internal GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver or ultra-stability rubidium time base option is required for onsite frequency calibration.

The Rubidium’s AM, FM/PM, and pulse modulation capabilities enables a wide range of complex analog modulated signals. An internal low frequency generator can generate seven different waveform types to modulate the carrier. Additionally, simultaneous modulation of AM/FM, AM/PM, or FM/Pulse is possible to generate complex modulation waveforms such as chirps. Broad signal simulation capabilities are built into the signal generator for pulsed radar testing.

The Rubidium is housed in a 3U chassis with a 7-inch touch screen on the front panel with a traditional keypad/dial interface. A wide range of options are offered to achieve optimum cost-to-function and measurement flexibility.

Applications
The Rubidium signal generator can be used in a variety of applications. It is ideal for applications which require low phase noise such as testing radar subsystems, up/down converters, or high-speed ADCs/DACs. The signal generator is well suited for conducting nonlinear measurements without additional filters because of the exceptionally low harmonic, subharmonic, and non-harmonic performance at standard and high output power levels. They can be used for a variety of interference measurements, as a signal source to test devices and systems, and as a frequency reference in calibration and metrology labs.

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RF signal generator series leads in price!

The TSG4100A series of signal generators has been introduced by Tektronix. The TSG4100A is a vector signal generator (VSG) at the affordable price of basic signal generator. The new RF signal generator complements other leading mid-range RF test solutions from the company, such as the USB-based RSA306 spectrum analyzer, MDO4000B and MDO3000 mixed domain oscilloscopes. The TSG4100A is the first vector RF signal generator from a tier-one vendor with a price point of less €13,000 (£10,000).

RF signal generators are widely used in product design, testing and manufacturing. Until now, RF engineers and technicians had to choose between basic RF signal generators or far more expensive vector signal generators (VSG). The TSG4100A offers a VSG at an affordable RF signal generator price. Further, as an engineer’s needs change, the TSG4100A can be easily upgraded in the field to deliver more advanced vector and digital modulation capabilities.

“There is a clear need in wireless design and manufacturing for test solutions that are more affordable and still meet demanding requirements,” said James McGillivary, general manager of RF and Component Solutions at Tektronix. “Tektronix first made huge strides in filling this void with the highly disruptive RSA306 USB-based spectrum analyzer . Now we are continuing this momentum with the TSG4100A that offers unbeatable price performance in an RF vector signal generator.”

Great RF Performance
The TSG4100A series includes three models with carrier frequencies from DC to 2.0 GHz, 4.0 GHz and 6.0 GHz respectively. The instruments provide spur-free outputs with low phase noise (–113 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz), outstanding amplitude accuracy (<+/- 0.4 dB at 1 GHz, 0dBm CW signal from +16dBm to -100 dBm level range) and excellent frequency resolution (1 μHz at any frequency). An oven-controlled crystal oscillator time-base provides <±0.002 ppm temperature stability and <±0.05 ppm aging stability, the most accurate and stable available for a mid-range signal generator.

Analog Modulation
TSG4100A signal generators offer a wide variety of modulation capabilities. Modes include amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (ΦM), and pulse modulation. There is an internal modulation source as well as an external modulation input. Unlike most analog signal generators, the TSG4100A can sweep continuously from DC to 62.5 MHz. And for frequencies above 62.5 MHz, each sweep range covers more than an octave.

Vector Modulation
Units can be software upgraded to support VSG applications. With the vector upgrade, TSG4100A series offers full support for vector signal modulation on RF carriers between 400 MHz and 6.0 GHz. It features a dual, arbitrary waveform generator operating at 125 MHz for baseband signal generation. The generator has built-in support for the most common vector modulation schemes: ASK, QPSK, DQPSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8PSK, FSK, CPM, QAM (4 to 256), 8VSB, and 16VSB. It also includes the standard pulse shaping filters used in digital communications: raised cosine, root-raised cosine, Gaussian, rectangular, triangular, and more. For additional flexibility, the rear-panel BNC I/Q modulation inputs support arbitrary vector modulation from an external source.

Multifunction generator

Teseq has designed the CDN 3043 3-phase coupling/decoupling network series as a competitively priced, high performance extension to the NSG 3040 multifunction generator series.

6 different models are available to provide customers with an optimum price/performance solution. All models feature a high level of user comfort and common safety functions, they range from a single function 16A unit up to a combined version rated at 32A. Higher current ratings are covered by the CDN 3063 series.

Dedicated EUT (Equipment Under Test) terminals allow direct and easy EUT connection and no specific adapter plugs are required. A safety isolated terminal key is supplied as standard. High value shielded high voltage safety plugs are used to interconnect the high voltage pulse output from a NSG 3040 multifunction generator to the CDN input.

The CDN 3043 series features a dynamic cooling system with all internal elements which increase in temperature under load equipped with thermal sensors. At standby or with lower EUT currents, when there is no need for cooling, the internal cooling fans will turn at a very low speed, generating very little audible noise. Fan speed will increase as required when the CDN is in use. In the event of intentional or unintentional overload, when maximum internal cooling becomes insufficient, the CDN 3043 will remove power to the EUT using the built in EUT power contactor, preventing damage to the instrument and removing the risk of fire. In the event of over temperature shutdown the CDN 3043 control electronics will also send a signal to the NSG 3040, immediately stopping the firing of pulses. This advanced thermal control provides the CDN 3043 series with large overload capabilities allowing up to 1.5 nominal current loading for 10 to 20 minutes, as well as high inrush currents or peak loads.

The phase rotation detector visible at the back off the CDN units shows clearly if a phase is connected and if the rotation of L1, L2 and L3 are correctly set. This important feature ensures correct coupling which is especially important in synchronous mode.

Europe most mature market for SGs

The market for signal generators (SGs) and arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) in Europe is more developed and mature than elsewhere in the world, with the region ranking second globally in terms of revenue. 

Arbitrary Waveform (pic NI)

This is mainly due to the aerospace and defence (A&D) as well as communications industries in the region, which are expected to generate moderate growth for the market going forward.

According to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, (Analysis of the Signal Generator and Arbitrary Waveform Generator Market),  the European market generated €126.8 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach €153.9 million in 2017. The research covers radio frequency (RF) signal generators, microwave signal generators and arbitrary waveform generators.

Significant R&D and design activity, paralleled by the continued development of wireless standards, will promote uptake of SGs and AWGs.

“In the current scenario, the European market is tending to focus heavily on R&D,” explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mariano Kimbara. “There are a number of lucrative market opportunities emerging for high-end and high-performance test systems.”

The continuous development of wireless standards has also contributed to the growth of the SG and AWG market in Europe. The next 10 years will be a ‘wireless decade’, marked by the launch of different types of wireless devices.

“The rapid development of standards such as wireless interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), third-generation (3G) wireless, fourth-generation (4G) wireless, and wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) will support steady growth in the SG segment. The development of the 60GHz market and new wireless technologies in the A&D segment will provide impetus to market expansion.”

Even though SG and AWG technology is mature, efforts at product enhancement and new product introductions bode well for the future. Several leading players in the European market are engaged in R&D activity on high-speed bandwidth, which is boosting user confidence and creating growth potential.

However, the ongoing uncertainty in the European market is impacting capital expenditures of end users. Volatile economic conditions have led end users to reconsider acquiring new test equipment.

“Promisingly, however, the communications and A&D segments are set to augment growth opportunities not only in terms of revenues but also in terms of innovation and product capacities,” concludes Kimbara. “Projects in the A&D domain requiring high-end signal generators that were previously suspended are being reconsidered, signalling continued optimism about market prospects.” 

New RF signal generator

The new TGR6000 RF signal generator from Aim-TTi is capable of sweeping from 10 MHz to 6000 MHz in a single range.

The generator has several sweep modes including step sweep and list sweep. In step sweep, the frequency and/or amplitude are stepped between two fixed points using up to 1000 steps which can have a fixed time period or a triggered interval. Sweeps can be linear or logarithmic, up or down.

In list sweep, frequency and amplitude points are defined within a table enabling any sweep pattern to be used. Dwell times are fully adjustable down to 10 ms.

The TGR6000 covers a frequency range of 10 MHz to 6000 MHz at an output level of between -110 dBm and +7 dBm, adjustable in 0.1 dB steps. The frequency resolution is 10 Hz, and the internal timebase stability is better than one part in 10^6. An external reference can be used for higher accuracy.

It is is intended for CW signal applications and has no built-in modulations.

Full digital remote control facilities are provided through the GPIB, RS232, USB, and LAN (Ethernet) interfaces.

Wide range RF signal generator has microhertz resolution

SRS (Stanford Research Systems) has introduced a DC to 4 GHz signal generator that uses a unique and innovative architecture to deliver frequency resolution down to 1 µHz.

A technique known as rational approximation frequency synthesis enables the new instrument to deliver ultra-high frequency resolution, excellent phase noise, and versatile modulation capabilities at a fraction of the cost of competing designs.

The SG384 offers a wide variety of modulation capabilities including amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (ØM) and pulse modulation. There is an internal modulation source as well as an external modulation input. The internal modulation source produces sine, ramp, saw, square and noise waveforms. An external modulation signal may be applied to the rear-panel modulation input.

The generator comes with an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) timebase. The timebase uses a third-overtone stress-compensated 10 MHz resonator in a thermostatically controlled oven. The timebase provides very high stability of 0.002 ppm low phase noise and very low aging. An optional rubidium oscillator may be added to reduce frequency aging still further and to improve temperature stability.

Optional I/Q inputs allow I and Q baseband signals to modulate carriers from 400 MHz to 4.05 GHz. This option also allows the I/Q modulator to be driven by an internal noise generator with adjustable amplitude and bandwidth. Rear-panel outputs allow the noise source to be viewed or used for other purposes.

Remote operation of the generator is supported with GPIB, RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces. All instrument functions can be controlled and read over any of the interfaces. Up to nine complete instrument configurations can be saved in non-volatile memory.

The SG384 is available in Britain through TTid (Thurlby Thandar instrument distribution) who represent all engineering test and measurement products from SRS.

Signal generator

Aim-TTi has launched a new 6 GHz RF signal generator which is priced at less than half that of the lowest cost 6 GHz generators available previously.

The TGR6000 covers a frequency range from 10 MHz to 6000 MHz at an output level of between -110 dBm and +7 dBm adjustable in 0.1 dB steps. The frequency resolution is 10 Hz and the internal timebase stability is better than 1 ppm.

The generator offers low phase noise, residual FM and spurious signal responses. An external reference can be used where higher accuracy is required. User level compensation tables can be loaded in order to calibrate an entire test setup.

The TGR6000 is intended for CW signal applications and has no built-in modulation capability. However, a sweep generation system is included that covers the full frequency range and incorporates a sophisticated step or list sweep covering both frequency and amplitude.

In step sweep, the frequency and/or amplitude are stepped between two fixed points using up to 1000 steps which can have a fixed time period or a triggered interval. Sweeps can be linear or logarithmic, up or down. In list sweep, frequency and amplitude points are defined within a table, enabling any sweep pattern to be used.

Full digital remote-control facilities are available through the RS232, USB and LAN (Ethernet) interfaces. An additional GPIB interface is optionally available.

Programmable precision DC voltage/current source

The new Yokogawa GS200 is a programmable DC voltage/current source that boasts high accuracy, high stability and high resolution.

With its excellent traceability, stability and 5½-digit resolution, the GS200 generates extremely low-noise DC voltage and current signals for a wide range of device driving and test & measurement applications. In addition, an optional monitoring feature turns the GS200 into a voltage and current measuring instrument.

The GS200 will act as a voltage source up to ±32 V and a current source up to ±200 mA. Typical accuracy is ±0.016% (on the 10 V range), and the high stability is indicated by a temperature coefficient of ±0.0008% /degC (also on the 10 V range). High resolution is provided by a 5½-digit display with a display count of ±120,000. Noise level is very low: only 100 µV p-p on the 10 V range.

Other key features include an output that is programmable up to 10,000 steps of output values, a built-in USB mass storage device, and an optional Ethernet interface. Channel expansion is enabled by the synchronous operation of multiple units.

The GS200 can perform four-quadrant operation by operating as a current source or a current sink in the range of ±30 V and ±200 mA. When the GS200 is sinking current, it can operate over exactly the same range as when it is operating as a current source. The GS200 can thus be used not just as a highly accurate voltage source but also as a highly accurate constant-current electronic load.

The optional voltage and current monitoring feature allows the GS200 to function as a current monitor when it is generating voltage and as a voltage monitor when it is generating current. The display resolution using this option is 4½ digits. The measured values can be stored along with the source values in the internal USB mass storage device.

The instrument features a seamless bipolar output function which inverts the signal polarity without the use of a mechanical contact. As a result, no abnormal voltage or current is generated when the polarity is inverted, providing truly continuous voltage variation from the maximum negative output to the maximum positive output. This feature is invaluable for the evaluation of zero-crossing comparators and for output polarity inversion during program operation. Moreover, voltage or current glitches do not occur when the setting is changed within the same range.

Applications include usage as a DC voltage/current reference or pulse voltage/current source, measurements of the basic electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices, pulse current driving for LEDs and organic EL displays, charge/discharge characteristics tests on batteries, ‘pass/fail’ component testing, and the evaluation of zero crossing comparators.

Multichannel RF signal generator

“Enables challenging RF environments to be recreated in Test and Measurement Labs”

RF Engines Limited (RFEL) has developed a highly sophisticated, 32 channel RF signal generator that is designed to enable challenging RF environments to be recreated in labs to test RF equipment. RFEL’s world class expertise in RF and signal processing has enabled them to create a complete solution on a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA chip that is run within a PC on a PCI-express card. The PCI Upconverter is a very flexible and configurable system that replaces racks of expensive RF test equipment offering significant saving for Test and Measurement Laboratories.

“There are so many sources of RF these days such as Tetra, mobile phones, Bluetooth, WiFi, and microwave links, meaning that sensitive equipment can be deluged with signals in a real world environment and not function properly,” explained John Summers, RFEL’s CEO. “At the moment, the solution for test laboratories is to use racks of arbitrary waveform generators coupled to mixers and modulators with each channel, and so incurring very high equipment and configuration costs. By contrast, our solution can generate up to 32 simultaneous channels of complex and bespoke test scenarios, so providing huge cost savings.”

In addition, current solutions generate signals from data stored on memory chips so that the signals repeat after a few seconds. By contrast, the PCI Upconverter streams its data from hard disks so that 32 channels of different signals can be generated over several days recreating real environments for proper soak testing. The complex modulated signals themselves can be created in MATLAB® or similar programmes with any type of waveform modulation including frequency hopping, TDMA, FDMA, CW, QPSK and QAM, and the characteristics can be manipulated in real-time. Each channel can be individually programmed with the required bandwidth and being digitally generated, there are no sideband or filtering issues that would be problems with multiple signal analogue systems. The system is controlled via a simple API on a Windows platform, and is provided with a suite of functions that allow direct control from a MATLAB environment. The integral MATLAB Graphical User Interface simplifies operations and makes the system “look and feel” like a piece of test equipment.