20 GHz Signal Generators (Signal Sources)

The SC5510A/B and SC5511A/B are high-performance VCO-based synthesized signal generators with a tunable output frequency range of 100 MHz to 20 GHz. Although consuming only 16 W of power, they contain the instrument grade performance of large box instruments. A low phase noise output of -137 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from a 1 GHz carrier, a 1 Hz tuning resolution, and an amplitude step resolution of 0.01 dB over a -30 dBm to +10 dBm output range sets these modules apart from other modular signal generators. Comparing with the A version of the products, version B products have additional features such as list mode steps with frequency, amplitude and dwell time, external RF pulse control, and tuning resolution of 1 milli-Hz.

The SC5510A/B and SC5511A/B have an additional, independent RF2 channel with a tunable frequency range from 100 MHz to 3 GHz and a tuning resolution of 25 MHz. This extra channel makes the modules suitable for either single-stage RF conversion systems or dual-stage image suppression up/down converter systems. These RF synthesizers make great general purpose laboratory signal sources where demanding low phase noise and signal purity are needed. They are also ideal choices as integrated clock sources for fast DAC and ADC applications, especially those that require variable sampling rates.

Full implementation instructions, GUI, driver software, and example code are provided with each module.