The R&S SMB100B analog microwave signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz performs analog signal generation up to 40 GHz in the mid-range class. It addresses applications requiring clean analog signals or high output power from 8 kHz to 40 GHz.
Useful for testing radar receivers, semiconductor components, upconverters, downconverters, or amplifiers, its high output power and low phase noise equip it as a source for simulating interferers for blocking tests.
Features include very low single-sideband (SSB) phase noise, excellent non-harmonics suppression, and low wideband noise for all carrier frequencies. For improved close-in phase noise and frequency stability, with less temperature-based variation in performance, a higher-performance version is available for all frequency ranges.
In addition to the 10-MHz reference frequency provided, users can choose optional 1- to 100-MHz as well as 1-GHz reference frequency signals. An optional high output power of 25 dBm at 20 GHz and 19.5 dBm at 40 GHz via keycode activation is available, too, so users can install it at any time. The light (10.7 kg) and compact device fits in a 19-in. rack and is only 2U high.
The R&S SMB100B supports features to compensate for path losses and variations in the signal caused by setups with additional test fixtures, cables or amplifiers. One of them, the user correction function, compensates if the frequency response of the setup is known and stable.
To address unknown factors, closed-loop power control can compensate for variations by continuously measuring the input level to the DUT. A suitable R&S NRP power sensor would feed its measured level back to the generator to adjust the output power accordingly.
With the R&S SMB100B, users can create their own customized menus, so that the parameters they most use are always available. They're also able to generate code to automate measurements first made manually with the SCPI macro recorder. It can then use the code generator to export the instructions in languages such as MATLAB.
Thanks to R&S Legacy Pro, the R&S SMB100B can be employed to emulate other instruments such as the R&S SMB100A or competitor instruments directly as a drop-in replacement using the existing code. The microwave signal generator expands the R&S SMB100 analog signal generator family with its established RF models up to 6 GHz.
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