Keithley 2920 RF Vector Signal Generator

The Model 2920 RF Vector Signal Generator is a mid-performance test instrument designed for R&D and production testing of modern RF communications equipment and devices. This next-generation instrument combines state-of-the-art RF and digital signal processing (DSP) technology to generate RF test signals with high accuracy and excellent repeatability. It also switches frequency, amplitude, or modulation type extremely rapidly. Its compact half-rack enclosure and competitive pricing make it a cost-effective solution for many test applications. The Model 2920 simplifies testing mobile phones and other wireless devices economically, by generating signals compatible with an array of RF communications standards. Today’s mobile phones are designed to connect to more types of devices than ever before, so they must integrate with a growing number of wireless standards.

Superior Signal Generation Accuracy over Wide Ranges

• Flexible and easy signal creation using SignalMeister
• 10 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range
• -125 dBm to +13 dBm output power range
• ±0.6dB absolute amplitude accuracy
• ±0.05dB amplitude repeatability

High Output Speed

• <1.3ms typical frequency switching time using List mode
• <1.6ms amplitude switching time
• 3ms nominal waveform switching time using SCPI commands
• Instantaneous waveform switching using ARB sequence mode

Broad Operating Flexibility

• 80 MHz bandwidth, 100 megasample Arbitrary Waveform Generator option
• MIMO-ready capability for WLAN and WiMAX
• Flexible analog modulation option: AM, FM, PM, pulse, AW G noise, and two-tone option
• Flexible digital modulation option: ASK, FSK, PSK, and QAM
• Standards options: GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, cdmaOne, cdma2000, and GPS
• Advanced PC connectivity: GPIB, USB, LAN, and LXI Class C

MIMO Test Systems

The Model 2920 is MIMO-ready to meet the requirements of the next-generation 802.11n WiFi and 802.16e WiMAX technologies. With the addition of a Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit, multiple Model 2920s can be configured into x2, x3, or x4 multi-output test systems. The synchronization unit distributes a common LO (local oscillator), common clock, and precise trigger to all the signal generators in the system, creating a MIMO test system with precise synchronization and low jitter between each of the signal generator outputs of the RF carrier and ARB waveform sampler.

Get the Flexibility of Three Powerful Operating Modes

1. Multi-Purpose — The Model 2920 can generate continuous wave (CW) signals and sweep the frequency and amplitude of RF signals. Choose the Model 2900-ALG Flexible Analog Modulation personality option to create traditional signals such as AM, FM, PM, pulsed RF, AWG noise, and even two-tone signals. The Model 2900-DIG Flexible Digital Modulation option generates signals with ASK, FSK, PSK, and QAM symbol types.

2. Embedded Radio-Specific Capability — The Model 2920 offers software measurement options for testing cellular standards such as GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA FDD, cdmaOne, and cdma2000. The Model 2900-GPS option simulates the coded L1 signal of a Global Positioning System satellite with a variety of data types, including an external user file with up to 37,504 bits (12.5 minutes) of navigation data.

3. User-Defined Capability – The Model 2920-ARB option provides ARB (arbitrary waveform generator) options with up to 80MHz bandwidth. The ARB includes a 100-megasample memory to hold large waveforms or many waveforms, which the instrument can switch between quickly and easily. Custom I-Q data files can be downloaded into the signal generator’s ARB memory through GPIB, USB, or LAN interfaces. Waveform creation of virtually any signal is possible with PC-based software such as MATLAB and LabVIEW.