Signal generator boasts four frequency options

Available with four frequency options each covering from 8 kHz to 12.75 GHz, 20 GHz, 31.8 GHz or 40 GHz, this microwave signal generator delivers excellent output power, spectral purity, very low close-in phase noise, and practically no wideband noise to analogue microwave signal generation.

The instrument is suitable for all applications requiring clean analogue signals or high output power from 8 kHz to 40 GHz.

Typical applications include testing radar receivers, semiconductor components, upconverters, downconverters or amplifiers. The high output power and low phase noise make it ideal as a source for simulating interferers for blocking tests.

The R&S SMB100B microwave signal generator features a signal purity that combines very low single sideband (SSB) phase noise, excellent non-harmonics suppression, and low wideband noise for all carrier frequencies.

For users seeking even better close-in phase noise and frequency stability, and less temperature-based variation in performance, in addition to the standard OXCO reference oscillator, a higher performance version is available for all frequency ranges.

In addition to the conventional 10 MHz reference frequency, users can choose optionally 1 MHz to 100 MHz as well as 1 GHz reference frequency signals. Optional high output power of measured 25 dBm at 20 GHz and 19.5 dBm at 40 GHz is activated by keycode, so users can install it at any time.

Considering the microwave frequency range covered by the instrument, the R&S SMB100B microwave signal generator is light (10.7 kg) and compact, fitting in a 19” rack and only two rack units in height.

The level accuracy of the output directly from an R&S SMB100B itself is excellent. With each increase in the frequency of the required signal, the challenge of obtaining the correct level input to a device increases.

The instrument supports two additional features to compensate for path losses and variations in the signal caused by setups with additional test fixtures, cables or amplifiers.

These features help to provide the wanted power level at the reference plane i.e. at the input of the device under test.

One of them, the user correction function (UCOR), compensates if the frequency response of the setup is known and stable. However, there are still unknown factors especially if the setup includes additional active devices such as an amplifier. Then the frequency response of the setup with an external additional amplifier can vary over level or temperature.