Rohde & Schwarz SMB100A Signal Generators

The new SMB100A is designed to set a new standard in the mid-range. It incorporates the good performance of the predecessor SML, adds new features and puts it all in a compact housing. The SMB100A provides RF characteristics that are exceptional in its class, making it an excellent general-purpose instrument. These excellent RF characteristics plus its compact size and low weight make the instrument ideal for a wide range of different applications. The SMB100A is thus ideal for use in development, production, and service, or, to put it even simpler: wherever an analog RF signal is required.

Key Features

• 9 kHz to 1 / 2 / 3 & 6 GHz frequency range
• RF output level of >+18 dBm from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. (+25 dBm over range)
• <1 ms frequency and level setting times in "list mode"
• SSB phase noise: typ -128 dBc/Hz (1 GHz/20 kHz offset)
• < 0.5 dB total uncertainty up to 3 GHz, (<0.9dB up to 6 GHz)
• Solid state RF attenuator up to 6 GHz w. reverse voltage protection
• Flexible concept allowing for on-site service with no calibration required
• Standard GPIB, LAN and USB remote control

Applications

• RF-IC Development
• Mil/Aero Applications
• Mobile Radio RF Measurements
• ATE and Production
• Scalar Network Analysis
• Wireless product tests
• Pulsed RF tests (Radar)
• General Purpose: receivers, amplifiers, mixers/filters, LO or clock
• EMC
• FM radio tests

Best signal quality in the mid-range

The SMB100A superbly handles phase noise, harmonics, and nonharmonic spurious, as well as wideband noise. Due to its innovative DDS-based synthesizer concept, the SMB100A yields unsurpassed values in all parameters called for in the mid-range, thus setting new standards.

When it comes to SSB phase noise performance, the SMB100A consistently achieves excellent values over the entire frequency range from 9 kHz to 6 GHz. This is due to its remarkable concept. The R&S SMB100A works down to 23.3475 MHz with frequency dividers. Below this value, the integrated DDS synthesizer generates the output signal directly. In contrast, conventional designs use a mixer range below approximately 250 MHz, which results in a much worse phase noise performance. The SMB100A is the ideal replacement in test circuits for fixed-frequency high-end crystal oscillators that are often used as a reference signal. The SMB100A combines equal or even improved signal performance with adjustable frequency and adjustable level, which is highly beneficial as it can be ideally adapted to the DUT. Moreover, the SMB100A makes it possible to define the DUT tolerance range relative to the reference by varying these parameters.

Highest output power in its class

The SMB100A combines excellent signal quality with a high output power of >+18 dBm, which is unique in this instrument class, over a wide frequency range of 1 MHz to 6 GHz. The maximum available output power is typically +25 dBm (and thus even significantly higher), offering sufficient power reserve to easily compensate for level loss in a test setup. This usually eliminates the need for an additional external amplifier, thus saving space and also drastically reducing costs for a test system. In applications, users additionally benefit from the high level accuracy that the SMB100A provides - a level accuracy that is not necessarily provided if an external amplifier is used. Its high output power makes the SMB100A ideal for controlling high-power devices such as high-level mixers.