SG8 RF Signal Generator : Datasheet

Overview

Key Features of SG8 RF Signal Generator

Output frequency range: 10 MHz 8 GHz
Frequency resolution: < 0.001 Hz
Spectral purity
o non-harmonics (typ.):HPSS (auxiliary option): 65 dBc
HP (default option): 50 dBc
o harmonics: 30 dBc
o phase noise: 120 dBc/Hz @ 1GHz, 10 kHz offset
Output level: up to +28 dBm
Absolute level accuracy (typ.): 0.1 dB
Phase shift control
o adjusting range: 360
o min. step: 0.15 @ 1GHz
External input reference frequency
o range: 20 150 MHz
Remote control: RS-232, USB
Dimensions: H x W x D: 2U x 42HP( 19) x 315 mm

Brief Description
Advantex SG8 10 MHz - 8 GHz signal generator is based on PLL frequency synthesizer and supports
five operation modes:Continuous Wave CW
Sweep Frequency SWF
Sweep Level SWL
Frequency Modulation FM
Phase Modulation M.
In CW mode one can adjust frequency, level and phase offset.
There are four adjustable parameters in sweep modes:
Start and Stop Frequency (in SWF) or Start and Stop Level (in SWL)
Dwell Time
Shape: Saw or Triangle
Triggering: internal, external
Triggering regime: auto, single and manual
The following parameters are available in modulation modes:
Frequency
Level
Deviation frequency (in FM) or phase deviation (in M), or sensitivity when external
modulating source is used
Modulating source: internal or external
Modulating signal shape: sine, square
Frequency of internal modulating signal
Other settings refer to REF In and REF Out signals, as well as to AUX In / TRIG and Mic In inputs.
The instrument has USB and RS-232 interfaces for SCPI remote control and firmware updating
capability.

SG8 RF Signal Generator : Datasheet

For more information about instrument functions see Operating Manual.

Applications of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator

General Purpose RF Signal Generator
Instrument frequency range covers the common bands for RF applications such as radio and
television, mobile, wireless networks, and radio-relay communications. This makes it possible to use
the instrument in testing and debugging applications for all systems listed above. High output power
compensates for additional level loss on the way to the DUT. Convenient user interface, large control
elements and high-contrast display make it easy to obtain the desired signal at the RF output. Small
dimensions and lightweight save working space and maintain easy portability.
Arbitrary Reference Frequency Generator
Small frequency step combined with low phase noise in low bands allows to use SG8 synthesized
signal generator as an arbitrary reference frequency source while testing the deviation tolerance of
symbol clock rates and local oscillators of communication systems. Low phase noise at low output
frequencies is possible due to frequency dividers used up to the lower bound of the frequency range
instead of frequency conversion from high to low range.
One-decibel Compression Point P1dB Measurement for High-power Output Stages
High output level of SG8 wideband signal generator enables one-decibel compression point and
saturated power PSAT measurements without additional pre-amplifiers. Usually high-power output
stages have relatively small gain, so availability of high power at the instrument output sufficiently
simplifies the testing process.
Second and Third Order Intercept Point IP 2 and IP3measurements
Low nonlinear distortion of output stage, and high output level compensating for additional losses in
attenuators following by power combiner, enable intermodulation parameters measurements of
almost any RF path.
RF-path Frequency Response Measurements
Good frequency response flatness of SG8 microwave signal generator in wide frequency band due to
APC (Automatic Power Control) and digital correction system allows to run scalar network analysis of
DUT.
Debugging of the RF Transceiver blocks for Telecommunication and Test & Measurement
Equipment
High output level and relatively low phase noise enables to use the instrument as a local oscillator
for passive balanced mixers, which usually require high power for ensuring better linearity of the
path.
When debugging some systems, it is required that several LO sources in the same path are bound
to some reference by natural factor. And reference frequency may significantly differ from standard
series of references offered by most signal generators. In this case SG8 can use any frequency as a
reference, making no demands to its stability or precision.
Test & Measurement Automation
External control interfaces (RS-232, USB) combined withSCPI protocol allow to use low-cost RF
signal generator in ATE applications in volume production as well as in education laboratories where
equipment is usually combined to one complex controlled by PC.

SG8 RF Signal Generator : Datasheet

Specifications

Frequency Parameters of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator

Frequency parameters of RF signal
Parameter

Conditions

Range

min.
3.90625

typ.

max.
8000

Resolution

over entire range

0.2810

Settling time

from
rising
edge
at
AUX
In input
2.5
(frequency
switching
over entire range)

4.5

Unit
MHz

Hz
ms

Phase shift resolution*

fOUT = fREF
0.022
14
* Phase shift resolution equals (360/2 )fout/fref , where fout output frequency, fref reference frequency
Reference frequency parameters
Parameter

Conditions

min. typ. max. Unit

Internal reference frequency source

Frequency

147

MHz

Accuracy

at 25C

ppm

Temperature effect

0..+50C

ppm

50

Reference frequency output (REF Out)

Output impedance
Signal level (internal source)

SG8-HP

3.5 0

+4.5 dBm

SG8-HPSS

+5

dBm

+1

dB

Gain (when repeating external source fed to REF

SG8-HP
In input)
External reference frequency input (REF In)
Input impedance

50

Level

10

+10

dBm

Frequency

20

150

MHz

70

dBc

60

dBc

|foffset|1MHz,
Spur level (allowable at the REF In input for the PLL fref=20MHz
to lock)
|foffset|1MHz,
fref=100MHz

SG8 RF Signal Generator : Datasheet

Spectral parameters of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator

Spectral characteristics of RF output signal
Parameter
2-nd Harmonic (10MHzfOUT8GHz)

3-rd Harmonic (10MHzfOUT8GHz)

Non-harmonics*, 4GHz<fOUT8GHz

Far offset noise level

Conditions
POUT=0dBm

40

35

POUT=+10dBm

30

25

POUT=+20dBm

25

20

POUT=0dBm

60

50

POUT=+10dBm

50

45

POUT=+20dBm

40

35

SG8-HP,
POUT+0dBm

|foffset|1MHz,

SG8-HPSS,
POUT+0dBm

|foffset|1MHz,

SG8-HP,
POUT+0dBm

|foffset|1MHz,

|foffset|1MHz,
fOUT=8GHz

POUT=+20dBm,

1kHz
10kHz
Phase noise, POUT=+20dBm, fOUT=1GHz,
100kHz
@ offset:
1MHz
10MHz
RMS Jitter
Residual FM
Residual M
Integral phase noise

min. typ. max.

fOUT=8GHz, BW from 1kHz to

10MHz

Unit
dBc

dBc

50
65

dBc

70
145 140 dBc/Hz
114
120
120

dBc/Hz

132
135
70

fs

2.8

kHz

0.2

deg

52

dBc

* At lower frequency bands the non-harmonics level is improved (i.e. decreased) in proportion
to 6 dB per octave

SG8 RF Signal Generator : Datasheet

Phase noise

Level Specifications of Advantex SG8 RF Signal Generator

Amplitude parameters of RF signal
Parameter

Conditions

min. typ. max. Unit

Range

20

+28

Calibrated area (APC max.

loop lock range)
min.

10

+26

10

+22

Resolution

0.05

Absolute
accuracy

level 25MHzfOUT8GHz, 0POUT20dBm

25MHzfOUT8GHz, for POUT within calibration area

dBm
dB

0.1 0.2
0.3 0.5

Temperature effect

dBm

0.01

dBm
dB/C

VSWR

50 load, 50MHzfOUT8GHz

1.8

2.1

Settling time

from rising edge of triggering signal at AUX In input,

2
when switching within 20dB from initial level value

2.5

ms

Acceptable DC voltage
at RF Out

Actual signal level vs. frequency at various

levels set to the instrument

Absolute level accuracy