Rohde & Schwarz Highlights Analyzers and Generators
October 31, 2012. Rohde & Schwarz announced that its high-end R&S FSW43 signal and spectrum analyzer covers the frequency range from 2 Hz to 43.5 GHz. The company also said it has enhanced its fully integrated R&S SGS100A vector signal generator by adding a model for I/Q modulated signals from 80 MHz to 12.75 GHz.
The R&S FSW43 signal and spectrum analyzer features a displayed average noise level of -164 dBm with preamplifier switched on is very low in the microwave range. With a phase noise of -117 dBc (Hz) at 40 GHz and 10 kHz carrier offset, the analyzer allows high-sensitivity measurements even close to the carrier—for example, on radar signals. As a result, inherent errors during signal analysis are minimized. The high-end analyzer also features a measurement speed of up to 1000 sweeps/s. And the user can quickly switch between different instrument setups. With its analysis bandwidth of up to 160 MHz, the analyzer can easily measure wideband, hopping, and chirp signals, which occur in aerospace and defense (Ka band) and automotive (E band) radar applications.
Equipped with the R&S FSW-B21 option, the frequency range of the analyzer can be extended up to 110 GHz using the R&S FS-Z60, -Z75, -Z90 and -Z110 external mixers. The external mixers take advantage of the analyzer's high second intermediate frequency of 1.3 GHz, providing an image-free range of 2.6 GHz for wideband signals. Consequently, the R&S FSW43 can, for example, perform spectral measurements on WLAN signals in the 60-GHz band as specified in the IEEE 802.11ad standard.
The integrated multistandard radio-analyzer function enables users to measure spectrum and modulation parameters of differently modulated signals, including their time references. This feature makes it easy for developers to analyze whether signals are influencing or interfering with each other. The easy-to-use 12.1″ touchscreen also simplifies measurements. The MultiView function allows users to simultaneously display multiple measurements and different applications on the screen.
Vector Signal Generator
The company said it has enhanced its fully integrated R&S SGS100A vector signal generator by adding a model for I/Q modulated signals from 80 MHz to 12.75 GHz. Combined with an I/Q baseband generator, the instrument can be used to generate test signals for all radio standards in this frequency range. As a result, the R&S SGS100A supports X-band signals from 8 GHz to 12 GHz for radar and satellite communications. The I/Q modulator's RF bandwidth of 1 GHz makes it possible to generate pulses with high chirp bandwidths and steep pulse edges.
Designed for use in automatic test systems, the compact instrument (250 mm × 52.5 mm × 401 mm) saves rack space. All models can switch between the wanted frequency and level settings in 280 µs (typ.). They offer a high output level of +22 dBm (typ.) as standard and have an electronic step attenuator covering the entire frequency range. The generator boasts high reference frequencies of 100 MHz and 1 GHz, which ensures excellent phase stability for phase-coupled applications involving multiple signal generators.
Rohde & Schwarz presented both the analyzers and generators at European Microwave Week in Amsterdam.