Based on a custom, ultra-high-repetition-rate GaN differential pulser IC, Ultraview Corp. now offers a new class of microwave comb generator said to reach formerly unattainable output power levels with low jitter and spectral content programmability. The palm-sized Ultracomb-8G is powered from any USB3.0/3.1 port, through which the user can program comb amplitude, comb picket spacing, and low/high-frequency spectral weighting.
Comb picket spacing at the device’s output can be software-programmed to any frequency from 10 MHz to 2 GHz in single-ended-output mode (10-50 MHz in differential-output mode) in 0.01-Hz steps, generated by an on-board LMX2594 synthesizer driven from an internal reference clock with 150-fs jitter, or from an external 10-to-500-MHz reference. The unit can also be programmed in 1:1 clock mode, enabling the pulse-repetition rate of the comb generator (and the comb tooth spacing) to be the same as the external reference/clock input. Its differential outputs enable direct antenna connections without the use of a balun, and 3-dB higher total output level.
Not only that, but the Ultracomb-8G can create strings of pulses with widths varying from 100 ps to 800 ps, enabling it to generate relatively flat combs with usable energy to 10 GHz or, alternatively, combs with much higher power, but with most of the energy concentrated below 2 GHz. This is useful, for example, in antenna testing, in which low-frequency antennas can be tested over very long ranges or while transmitting through lossy media, while retaining the ability to test over a wider bandwidth when using shorter ranges.s
At the narrowest pulse width setting, and with a pulse-repetition frequency of 500 Mpulses/s (500-MHz picket spacing), each generated picket below 3 GHz has over +10dBm power level. Even up to 6 GHz, each picket has over 0 dBm power. The picket at 8 GHz has a level of -7.5 dBm. At 1250 Mpulses/s, the first three pickets are each over +15 dBM. GUI software, with full QT source, is included for Windows 10, OSX, Linux Mint 18, and RHEL/Centos 7.x.
Pricing for the Ultracomb-8G is $3,495 in single quantities.