Anritsu Co. introduces a 70 GHz model and a series of options for its MG3690B family that not only extends the frequency range of the industry-leading RF/microwave signal generators but also adds flexibility and cost of ownership advantages. The options – a 10 dB low phase noise and high power – are available for all six models, which cover 2 to 70 GHz and deliver high-purity signals for accurate analysis.
The new model is the first signal generator that can perform a 0.1 Hz to 70 GHz continuous sweep. It incorporates the MG3690B’s innovative design to generate high performance signals, which makes it well suited for a wide variety of signal simulation applications. For example, it can be used as a clock source for bit error rate testing (BERT), and its low single-sideband (SSB) phase noise translates to precise clocks with edges that are consistent period after period.
The 10 dB low phase noise option serves as an intermediate level of performance between the MG3690B’s standard phase noise and the ultra-low phase noise option that provides -110 dBc/Hz (typically) at 1 kHz offset at 10 GHz. By offering three levels of phase noise, Anritsu allows engineers to customize their signal generator for specific applications. Accurate phase noise is critical because it is becoming an increasingly important parameter for both commercial and defense systems.
A high output power option that provides +8 dBm specified power up to 67 GHz is also available. The new option allows the MG3690B to provide similar specified power from 10 MHz to 50 GHz.
High performance and cost efficiency is achieved due to the MG3690B’s award-winning design. For applications above 2.2 GHz, patented techniques that add additional phase-locked loops are used. These techniques help deliver excellent SSB phase noise. A digital down converter (DDC), which produces frequencies by successive binary division, is used for 10 MHz to 2.2 GHz applications. This approach eliminates the addition of non-harmonic spurious common with mixer-based down conversion schemes. Below 10 MHz, the MG3690B signal generators utilize direct digital synthesis (DDS) techniques to achieve frequency resolution of 0.01 Hz.