Rubidium at the heart of signal generator

Update: August 6, 2023

Branded ‘Rubidium’, internal time base aging is <±2×10-8/year with option 0003 (low phase noise kit) or <±1×10-9/year with option 0056 (rubidium local oscillator).

“This frequency stability is achieved either by an optional internal rubidium reference or by locking the signal generator’s time base to a 1PPS reference from an optional internal GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver,” said Anritsu.

Single sideband (SSB) phase noise is -136dBc/Hz (typical) and -140dBc/Hz (measured) at 10GHz and 10kHz offset, according to the company “that is unmatched in the industry. Signal purity is critical to measurement applications ranging from radar testing to testing of ADCs and DACs”.

Power output is -130 to +18dBm, or -130 to +20dBm in the 20GHz version. Anritsu’s CW USB power sensor is required for on-site level calibration.

AM, FM/PM and pulse modulation it available, and an internal low frequency generator can generate seven different waveforms to modulate the carrier. Simultaneous AM/FM, AM/PM, or FM/pulse modulation is possible to generate complex modulation waveforms such as chirps.

It comes in a 3U chassis with a 7in touch screen on the front panel alongside traditional keypad-dial interface.

Low phase-noise applications are foreseen, in testing radar subsystems, up/down converters, or high-speed ADCs/DACs.

“The signal generator is well suited for conducting non-linear measurements without additional filters because of the low harmonic, sub-harmonic and non-harmonic performance at standard and high output power levels.