Aeroflex Limited, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Aeroflex Holding Corp. (NYSE:ARX), recently announced
at Productronica a major expansion to the S-Series family of innovative
benchtop RF measurement instruments. Aeroflex is adding two new S-Series digital
signal generators—the SGD in both 3 GHz and 6 GHz models—and is also launching
two new vector signal analyzers—the SVA, available in a 6 GHz and a 13 GHz
model. The S-Series uses Aeroflex’s market-leading PXI technology.
The S-Series was
first introduced a year ago with the launch of the SGA analog RF signal
generators. The S-Series has established a reputation for providing top-ofthe- range
performance at a mid-range price, and for its ease of use via the innovative touch-screen
interface. At just 4U in height and half-rack width, the instruments are compact
and lightweight, with a form factor that allows a signal generator and analyzer
to be accommodated side-by-side in a 19 inch rack. All S-Series instruments
feature high performance features such as low phase noise and rapid settling
time that would be expected to cost much more.
“With these latest
additions, the S-Series has matured into a truly integrated benchtop
measurement system, with the facility to link different instruments both electronically
and mechanically using Aerolock™,” said Hiren Joshi, product manager, Aeroflex
Test Systems. “Using the instruments together with the embedded software tools
gives the user the capability to accurately generate and analyze complex wideband
modulated signals to test systems and components for a wide range of applications,
including mobile communications, defense, and aerospace. The SGD and SVA
support generic modulation and demodulation capabilities respectively, which
also makes them ideal for general purpose RF test applications.”
SGD Digital Signal
Generator Features
The SGD-3 and SGD-6
both feature +13 dBm output power, with a +20 dBm option. They incorporate an
IQ modulator with 300 MHz RF bandwidth, which can generate wide bandwidth
modulated signals. A dual channel arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) operating
at up to 250 MS/s, with memory options up to 4 GB, offers faster waveform
generation and the ability to store multiple signals. The embedded IQCreator® waveform
generation tool enables the user to set up a modulation scheme and create an
arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) file using modulation templates.
The SGD has low
single sideband (SSB) phase noise of -135 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz offset, and a fast
frequency settling time of 100 μs, enabling accurate receiver testing with a
significant reduction in measurement time and cost. The high dynamic range of the
IQ modulators provides for an Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) of -71 dBc on
WCDMA signals, enabling the user to design and test amplifier performance to higher
specifications.
SVA Vector Signal
Analyzer Features
The extended
frequency range—up to 13 GHz for the SVA-13—allows the instrument to be used
for analyzing second harmonic performance of signals in popular communications
bands. A wide maximum instantaneous bandwidth up to 90 MHz makes it suitable
for measuring and analyzing both narrow- and wide-bandwidth communication
systems.
Peak signal power
levels up +30 dBm can be input directly to the instrument. With a maximum
sensitivity of -148 dBm/Hz, very low level signals can easily be discriminated
from noise when measuring transmitter spurious outputs.
A wide range of
measurement suite options are available for wireless communications test,
including most 2G, 3G, 4G, WMAN, WPAN, WLAN and LTE standards, providing
measurement of power, modulation quality, and spectrum parameters to the
relevant standards for mobile terminal testing both in the laboratory and in
production. The noise floor at 2 GHz is -138 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offset, and, frequency
settling can be achieved in 250 μs at frequencies up to 6 GHz, which makes the
SVA ideal for high productivity RFIC testing.
The SVA can be
synchronized and used in conjunction with either the SGD signal generator or
other S-Series modules, thus reducing test setup space and offering the user a
simple, integrated measurement technique.
About the S-Series
signal generator and signal analyzer family
Aeroflex S-Series RF
signal generator family offers simplicity, portability, modularity, and RF
performance at an attractive price. Aeroflex’s reputation for innovation in
signal generators has been reaffirmed in the S-Series. The range of instruments
was designed from the ground up to meet the expectations of today’s engineers for instant
answers at the touch of a screen. Buttons, rotary controls, and deeply nested software
menus have all been removed. The series now includes the Aeroflex SGA analog RF
signal generators, SGD digital RF signal generators, and SVA RF vector signal
analyzers.
The intuitive LCD
touch-screen interface common to all the S-Series instruments allows modulated
or swept RF signals to be set up and analyzed using fewer keystrokes than
required by traditional soft key models, thus saving time and reducing the risk
of error.
A modular format,
featuring the Aerolock™ locking mechanism, allows additional RF instruments in
the S-Series to be mechanically coupled externally by the user.
About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Holding
Corp. is a leading global provider of microelectronic components and test and
measurement equipment used by companies in the space, avionics, defense,
commercial wireless communications, medical and other markets. Visit