Targeting production testing in both commercial and aerospace/defense applications, Rohde & Schwarz’s analog signal generator SMB100A combines performance, ease of use, and serviceability. It is available in four models with measurement coverage from 9 kHz to 1.1 GHz, 2.2 GHz, 3.2 GHz and 6 GHz. Within the “midrange” class of analog signal generators, it delivers higher output (+18 dBm specified and +25 dBm in overrange mode) with greater flatness (±0.5 dB < 3GHz, ±0.9 dB > 3GHz), faster setting time (less than 3 ms for frequency, less than 2.5 ms for level, and less than 1 ms in list mode), and lower phase noise. At 1 GHz with a 1 Hz measurement bandwidth, phase noise is typically -128 dBc/Hz at a 20 kHz carrier offset.

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The high performance and versatility of the SMB100A make it well suited for both general-purpose benchtop applications and the production line. When used in the development of mixed-signal circuits, for example, the non-harmonic suppression and wideband noise performance of a signal generator are key parameters. The SMB100A easily satisfies these requirements with the highest level of non-harmonic suppression in its class (-70 dBc at 1 GHz at a 10-kHz offset). Wideband noise is typically -152 dBc at 1 GHz as well.

In addition to the instrument’s standard AM, FM, and phase modulation, a pulse generator and pulse modulator are available as options. The pulse modulator has a typical on/off ratio of 90 dB and rise and fall times of 10 ns. The flexible pulse generator has a minimum pulse width of 20 ns, which allows it to generate a wide variety of pulsed signals.

Other features of the SMB100A include reverse power protection of 50 W at 1 GHz, 25 W up to 2 GHz, and 10 W at 6 GHz, broadband frequency modulation with a maximum deviation of 16 MHz above 3 GHz, VSWR of less than 1.8:1, measurement repeatability of ±0.02 dB, integrated frequency, level, and low-frequency sweeps, and an internal low-frequency generator that delivers sine wave signals up to 1 MHz and square wave signals up to 20 kHz.

All models are priced from $6,350.