Rubidium MG36241A 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz RF/Microwave Signal Generator

Rubidium RF/microwave signal generator covering 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz with low phase noise and optional atomic clock frequency stability.

Frequency coverage: 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz
Output connector: 2.92 mm K(m)
Frequency resolution: 0.001 Hz
Reference frequency accuracy: 1 x 10-8

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu Rubidium MG36241A is the 43.5 GHz model of the MG362x1A RF/microwave signal generator family, covering 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz with a 2.92 mm K(m) output connector. It is intended for applications where signal purity matters, such as radar, transceiver, ADC/DAC and component testing.

The standard instrument specifies SSB phase noise of –136 dBc/Hz (typical) at 10 GHz output and 10 kHz offset. A Low Phase Noise option (Option 3) improves close-in phase noise and frequency stability, and an Ultra Low Phase Noise option (Option 13) improves phase noise at higher offsets.

Frequency stability

An internal rubidium frequency reference option (Option 56) provides atomic clock frequency stability. Alternatively, a GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver (Option 66) can be used to calibrate the internal OCXO reference against satellite signals, allowing on-site frequency calibration.

Modulation and sweeps

AM, FM/PM, pulse and pulse train modulation are available as options, and simultaneous FM and pulse modulation allows generation of chirp signals. Step, list and analog frequency sweeps are supported on this model, as well as step, list and analog power sweeps.

Operation and connectivity

The front panel provides a 7-inch touch screen with keypad and rotary dial, and USB ports for memory devices and Anritsu USB power sensors. Remote control is available via Ethernet and GPIB using SCPI commands, with IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers.

Key Features

Frequency range 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz
SSB phase noise of –136 dBc/Hz (typical) at 10 GHz output, 10 kHz offset
Low Phase Noise (Option 3) and Ultra Low Phase Noise (Option 13) options
Atomic clock frequency stability with internal rubidium time base option
GNSS atomic clock receiver option for on-site frequency calibration
On-site user level calibration with Anritsu USB power sensors
AM, FM, PM, pulse and pulse train modulation
Simultaneous synchronized FM and pulse modulation for chirp generation
Quad pulse signal generation and pulse sweep for radar target simulation
Analog frequency sweep with up to 20 independent markers
Analog power sweep
High power output option
7-inch touch screen with keypad and rotary dial
IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers with SCPI support

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency coverage	9 kHz to 43.5 GHz
Output connector	2.92 mm K(m)
Frequency resolution	0.001 Hz
Reference frequency accuracy	1 x 10-8 When instrument leaves the factory
Phase offset	Adjustable in 0.1 degree steps
Reference frequency input/output	10 MHz, 100 MHz and 1.6 GHz

Internal Time Base

Aging rate per year, standard (OCXO)	< ±5 × 10–7
Aging rate per year, Option 3 (OCXO) MG362x1A-0003	< ±2 × 10–8
Aging rate per year, Option 56 (Rubidium) MG362x1A-0056	< ±1 × 10–9
Short-term stability, Option 56 MG362x1A-0056	< 8 × 10–12 Allan deviation per 100 s after 2 hours warm up

Signal Purity

SSB phase noise	-136 dBc/Hz (typ) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) @ 10 GHz output, 10 kHz offset
Harmonics	-55 dBc
Sub harmonics	-83 dBc
Non-harmonics	-63 dBc

Output Power

Output power range	-130 dBm to +16 dBm Standard output, with Option 2
Max leveled output power, 9 kHz to 2 GHz	+19 dBm (+18 dBm with step attenuator) Standard power
Max leveled output power, 2 GHz to 10 GHz	+19 dBm (+18 dBm with step attenuator) Standard power
Max leveled output power, > 10 GHz to 20 GHz	+16 dBm (+15 dBm with step attenuator) Standard power
Max leveled output power, > 20 GHz to 43.5 GHz	+16 dBm (+15 dBm with step attenuator) Standard power
Max leveled output power, ≥ 2 GHz to 10 GHz (Option 15) MG362x1A-0015	+29 dBm (+27 dBm with step attenuator) High power
Max leveled output power, > 10 GHz to 20 GHz (Option 15) MG362x1A-0015	+23 dBm (+22 dBm with step attenuator) High power
Max leveled output power, > 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz (Option 15) MG362x1A-0015	+20 dBm (+15 dBm with step attenuator) High power
Level accuracy and flatness	± 1.4 dB
Minimum leveled output power without attenuator	–15 dBm
Minimum leveled output power with attenuator	–120 dBm
Step attenuator (Option 2) MG362x1A-0002	10 dB/step, 110 dB range
Output power resolution	0.01 dB or 0.000 001 V
Output SWR (internal leveling)	< 2.0 (typical)
Power level stability with temperature	± 0.04 dB/°C

Modulation

Modulation types	AM, FM, PM, Pulse and Pulse Train
Pulse modulation rise/fall times	5 ns (typical)
Pulse on/off ratio MG362x1A-0026	> 80 dB (70 dB for frequencies < 2 GHz) Option 26
Minimum leveled pulse width MG362x1A-0026	100 ns, ≥ 2 GHz; 1 µs, < 2 GHz Option 26
LF signal generator waveforms	Sine, square, pulse, triangle, ramp, GN/UN noise

Sweep

Frequency sweep modes	Step, List, Analog Analog sweep requires Option 6
Frequency sweep width	9 kHz to full frequency range (step, list); 100 MHz to full frequency range (analog)
Power sweep	Step, List, and Analog Analog power sweep requires Option 16
Power sweep resolution	0.01 dB/step

General

Power	90 VAC to 264 VAC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz, 350 VA maximum
Weight	20.5 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD)	483 mm x 133 mm x 552 mm
Warm up time from standby	30 minutes
Calibration cycle	2 years from the date of shipment Recommended
Warranty	1 year from shipment date
Storage temperature range	–40 °C to +75 °C MIL-PRF-28800F, class 3

Remote Operation

Interfaces	Ethernet, GPIB (IEEE-488 interface bus)
Ethernet port	1000 Base-T (Gbit Ethernet)
Commands	SCPI, Native (MG369xC compatible proprietary command set)
HiSLIP	Support available

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Avionics and aircraft manufacturing
Radar and electronics peacekeeping
Pulsed radar system testing
Single tone distortion and P1dB compression measurements
Two tone intermodulation (IP2, IP3) measurements
In-band and out-of-band interference testing
LO substitution in transceiver testing
Clock source for Gbit ADC and DAC testing
Swept measurements synchronized with vector network analyzers
Calibration and metrology labs

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MG362x1A-0001	Rack Mount with Slides — Cannot be ordered with Option 11
MG362x1A-0002	Mechanical Step Attenuator, 110 dB
MG362x1A-0003	Low Phase Noise and High Stability — Required for Option 13
MG36241A-0006	Analog Sweep, Frequency
MG362x1A-0009	Rear Panel K(m) Connector RF Output — For MG36221A and MG36241A
MG362x1A-0010	User Defined Modulation — Requires Option 12, Option 26, and Option 27 when ordering without Option 15. Requires Option 12, Option 27, and Option 45 when ordering with Option 15.
MG362x1A-0011	Rack Mount without Slides (Shelf Mount)
MG362x1A-0012	Amplitude, Frequency and Phase Modulation, Internal/External — Requires Option 27
MG362x1A-0013	Ultra Low Phase Noise — Requires Option 3
MG362x1A-0015	High Power Output — Cannot be ordered with Option 26. Choose Option 45 when ordering with Option 26.
MG362x1A-0016	Analog Power Sweep
MG362x1A-0017	Delete Front Panel — Requires Option 1 or 11. Cannot be ordered with Option 29.
MG362x1A-0018	On-site User Level Calibration — Requires 2000-2166-R accessory kit and MA243x0A USB Power Sensor, sold separately
MG362x1A-0025	Pulse Train Modulation — Always requires Option 27. Also requires Option 26, or when ordered with Option 15, requires Option 45.
MG362x1A-0026	Pulse Modulation, Internal/External — Always requires Option 27. When ordered with Option 15, choose Option 45 instead of Option 26.
MG362x1A-0027	Modulation Hardware — Requires at least one of Option 12 and/or Option 26, or Option 45
MG362x1A-0029	Front Panel Modulation Input/Output Access — Always requires Option 27. Requires either Option 12 and/or Option 26. When ordered with Option 15 requires Option 45 and/or Option 12. Cannot order with Option 17.
MG362x1A-0030	600 ohms External AM/FM Input Impedance — Requires Option 12 and 27
MG362x1A-0033	Phase Noise, Export Option — Cannot be ordered with Options 3, 13, or 56 for MG36241A
MG362x1A-0037	Removable SDIO Memory
MG362x1A-0045	High Power Pulse Modulation — Requires Option 27. Cannot be ordered with Option 15 or Option 17.
MG362x1A-0056	Ultra Stability Time Base — Requires Option 3 or 13
MG362x1A-0066	GNSS Atomic Clock Receiver — Requires Option 3 or 13
MG36241A-0082	K(f) Connector
MG362x1A-0097	Accredited Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate, test report, and uncertainty data
MG362x1A-0098	Standard Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate
MG362x1A-0099	Premium Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate, test report, and uncertainty data