Portable Signal Generator is Ideal out in the Field

The Signal Forge 1000 (SF1000) is small enough—8.5in x 5.4in x 1.5in—and light enough, at 1.75 pounds, to fit in a briefcase, making it ideal for field engineers and service personnel.

Unlike other small-sized signal generators, the SF1000 is a high performance device with a stable, accurate 1 GHz frequency range. Also unique are the signal outputs which include: an AC-coupled output for RF and wireless device testing; a digital (TTL) output for testing clock-driven systems and ICs up to 110 MHz; and a differential output for testing communication equipment as well as differential clock-driven systems up to 1 GHz.

The waveform modulation functions supported include: square and sinusoidal AM, ASK, FKS (ramped, unramped, triangle), OOK and Shaped OOK, Arbitrary/CHIRP modulation as well as fully programmable frequency sweep control. These features expand the capabilities of the SF1000 beyond a typical signal source and provide the functionality needed for a wide range of digital IC and RF test applications.

Some of the applications that the SF1000 may be used for include: testing the setup and hold of digital devices, as well as the design margins of digital, clock-driven circuit boards (determining the effect of oscillator drift on a circuit), by configuring the digital and differential outputs in sweep mode; testing and calibrating IF and RF sections of receivers and wireless devices; testing amplifiers for gain and for the 1 dB compression point. It may also used as a Local Oscillator (L.O.) source and an RF exciter with modulation to test receiver response (the FSK and frequency sweep functions may be used to test FM receivers). And, the SF1000 may be used for testing the third-order intercept point (IP3) of radio systems and alignment of receivers. Other applications include: automotive electronics testing (simulate input sensors); examining the spectral response of circuits; and low cost manufacturing test of high-speed cables and connectors.