Test & Measurement

Versatile signal generators meet diverse applications

20th June 2018
Mick Elliott
0

Two compact mid-range signal generators that offer versatility and performance in a very small footprint have been introduced by Rohde & Schwarz. The R&S SMB100B analogue RF signal generator and the R&S SMBV100B vector signal generator offers outstanding spectral purity, output power and intuitive touchscreen operation.

The instruments specifically address the requirements of RF semiconductor development, telecommunications, and aerospace & defence.

The signal generators are available in various configurations. With frequency ranges from 8kHz to 1GHz, 3GHz and 6GHz, they can be tailored to address diverse applications.

Customers can choose among three different RF output power stages to scale the maximum output power to their specific needs.

The generators can deliver up to +34dBm output power (at 1GHz carrier frequency) without an external amplifier, which simplifies the test setup and eliminates downtime due to calibration. They offer precise, calibrated RF output power for all configurations.

Signal quality is excellent which makes the R&S SMB100B analogue RF signal generator ideal for radar and receiver tests in the aerospace and defence sector, as well as for CW-based production tests on wireless devices and infrastructure.

The R&S SMBV100B additionally offers superb signal quality for vector-modulated signals, with a powerful baseband section with up to 500MHz bandwidth.

It comes with options for all major digital communications standards, such as 5G, cellular IoT, LTE, WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and Bluetooth 5.0.

Signals for these digital standards can be generated directly on the instrument; no external PC is required. This makes it quick and easy to vary signals and parameters.

The R&S SMBV100B also provides envelope tracking and digital predistortion (DPD). Signals with up to 2GHz bandwidth can be modulated via external I/Q inputs.

Internally generated 160MHz WLAN IEEE 802.11ac signals exhibit a measured EVM as low as –49dB. Wideband signals benefit from the generator's excellent I/Q modulation frequency response of 0.1dB (measured) across the entire 500MHz bandwidth. All this helps developers ensure outstanding product quality even for wideband communications systems such as 5G.

Safe investment thanks to easy upgrading The signal generators feature a well-conceived upgrade concept. Desired functions can in most cases be added via software keycodes.

For example, modulation standards, output power and, with the R&S SMBV100B vector model, even the RF frequency range and modulation bandwidth can be upgraded as needed without requiring customers to send in their instrument to a Rohde & Schwarz service centre.

This procedure is easy, saves time and money, and gives customers maximum flexibility and makes the R&S SMB100B and R&S SMBV100B signal generators a safe investment. Both instruments have a three year warranty.

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