Rubidium MG36271A 9 kHz to 70 GHz RF/Microwave Signal Generator

Low-noise RF/microwave signal generator covering 9 kHz to 70 GHz with a 1.85 mm V(m) output and optional rubidium time base.

Frequency coverage: 9 kHz to 70 GHz
Operable range: Operable up to 72 GHz
Output connector: 1.85 mm V(m)
Frequency resolution: 0.001 Hz

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu Rubidium MG36271A is the 70 GHz model of the MG362x1A low-noise RF/microwave signal generator line. It covers 9 kHz to 70 GHz, can be operated up to 72 GHz, and delivers its signal through a 1.85 mm V(m) output connector.

The instrument targets applications where signal purity sets measurement quality, such as radar, transceiver, ADC/DAC and component testing. Low Phase Noise (Option 3) and Ultra Low Phase Noise (Option 13) options improve close-in and far-out phase noise respectively, and the generator also offers low harmonic and spurious levels.

Frequency stability

An internal rubidium frequency reference (Option 56) provides atomic-clock frequency stability. As an alternative, the internal oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) reference can be calibrated against an external GNSS/GPS signal using the GNSS Atomic Clock Receiver (Option 66). This makes the generator suitable for metrology and high-speed clock applications.

Modulation and pulse generation

AM, FM/PM, pulse and pulse train modulation are available, and FM and pulse modulation can run at the same time to generate waveforms such as chirps. Built-in pulse generation supports pulsed radar test, including simulation of moving targets, multiple targets and ground reflections.

Operation and connectivity

The front panel has a 7 inch touch screen, a keypad and a rotary dial. Front-panel USB ports accept memory devices and Anritsu USB power sensors. For remote control the instrument provides Ethernet and GPIB, accepts SCPI commands and ships with IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers.

Key Features

Frequency range 9 kHz to 70 GHz, operable up to 72 GHz
1.85 mm V(m) RF output connector
Low Phase Noise (Option 3) and Ultra Low Phase Noise (Option 13) options
Atomic clock frequency stability with internal rubidium time base (Option 56)
GNSS atomic clock receiver for on-site frequency calibration (Option 66)
On-site user level calibration with Anritsu USB power sensors (Option 18)
AM, FM, PM, pulse and pulse train modulation
Simultaneous FM and pulse modulation for chirp generation
Quad pulse signal generation and pulse sweep for radar target simulation
High power output option (Option 15)
Mechanical step attenuator, 90 dB (Option 2)
7 inch touch screen with keypad and dial
SCPI, IVI.NET and IVI-C remote programming support
Frequency range extendable to 1.1 THz with millimeter-wave multipliers

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency coverage	9 kHz to 70 GHz
Operable range	Operable up to 72 GHz
Output connector	1.85 mm V(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

Internal Time Base

Aging rate per year, standard (OCXO)	< ±5 × 10–7
Aging rate per year, Option 3 (OCXO)	< ±2 × 10–8
Aging rate per year, Option 56 (Rubidium)	< ±1 × 10–9
Temperature effects from 0 to 55 °C, Option 56	< ±3 × 10–10
Short-term stability, Option 56	< 8 × 10–12 Allan deviation per 100 s after 2 hours warm up
Reference frequency input/output	10 MHz, 100 MHz and 1.6 GHz 100 MHz and 1600 MHz require Option 3

Signal Purity

Harmonics	-55 dBc
Harmonics, > 43.5 GHz to 70 GHz	–55 Standard power
Sub-harmonics	-63 dBc
Non-harmonics, > 43.5 GHz to 70 GHz	–63 Measured at + 5 dBm for MG36271A model
Residual FM at 70 GHz (Standard / Low Phase Noise / Ultra Low Phase Noise)	6.5 Hz / 6.0 Hz / 5.0 Hz 0.05 to 15 kHz BW
SSB phase noise, 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset	-136 dBc/Hz (typ) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured)
SSB phase noise, standard, 70 GHz, 10 kHz offset	–109 (–114) Typical value in parentheses
SSB phase noise, Option 3, 70 GHz, 10 kHz offset	–110 (–115) Typical value in parentheses
SSB phase noise, Option 13, 70 GHz, 10 kHz offset	–113 (–118) Typical value in parentheses

Output Power

Output power range, standard output	–100 dBm to +6 dBm Datasheet value (70 GHz, standard output); the web page lists -90 dBm to +6 dBm with Option 2
Max leveled output power, 9 kHz to 13 GHz	+18 +18 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, > 13 GHz to 37 GHz	+13.5 +11.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, > 37 GHz to 65 GHz	+10.5 +9.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, > 65 GHz to 67 GHz	+9 +5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, > 67 GHz to 70 GHz	+6 (typical) +3 dBm (typical) with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, 9 kHz to 2 GHz Option 15	+20 +19 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, ≥ 2 GHz to 10 GHz Option 15	+27 +21 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 10 GHz to 20 GHz Option 15	+23 +21 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 20 GHz to 37 GHz Option 15	+14.5 +11.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 37 GHz to 42 GHz Option 15	+11 +8.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 42 GHz to 60 GHz Option 15	+15 +11.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 60 GHz to 65 GHz Option 15	+13 +9.5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 65 GHz to 67 GHz Option 15	+9 +5 dBm with step attenuator
Max leveled output power, High Power, > 67 GHz to 70 GHz Option 15	+9 (typical) +3 dBm (typical) with step attenuator
Level accuracy and flatness	± 2.5 dB
Minimum settable output power	–20 dBm without an attenuator; –130 dBm with an attenuator
Minimum leveled output power	–20 dBm without an attenuator; –100 dBm with an attenuator
Step attenuator (Option 2) Option 2	10 dB/step, 90 dB range 90 dB range on models 43.5 GHz to 70 GHz
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
On-site user level calibration accuracy, to –70 dBm Option 18	± 1 dB (9 kHz to 40 GHz); ± 1.5 dB (> 40 GHz to 67 GHz); ± 1.5 dB typical (> 67 GHz to 70 GHz) Option 18
On-site user level calibration accuracy, –70 dBm to –90 dBm Option 18	± 2 dB (9 kHz to 40 GHz); ± 2.5 dB (> 40 GHz to 67 GHz); ± 2.5 dB typical (> 67 GHz to 70 GHz) Option 18

Sweep

Frequency sweep modes	Step, List Analog frequency sweep is available on MG36221A and MG36241A only
Frequency sweep width	9 kHz to full frequency range (step, list)
Power sweep	Step, List, and Analog Analog power sweep requires Option 16
Power sweep resolution	0.01 dB/step
Number of steps (phase-locked step sweep)	Variable from 2 to 65535
List sweep	up to 10 tables with 4000 non-sequential frequency/power sets

Modulation

Modulation types	AM, FM, PM, Pulse and Pulse Train AM/FM/PM require Option 12; pulse requires Option 26; pulse train requires Option 25
Pulse on/off ratio Option 26	> 80 dB (70 dB for frequencies < 2 GHz) Option 26
Minimum leveled pulse width Option 26	100 ns, ≥ 2 GHz; 1 µs, < 2 GHz Option 26
Minimum unleveled pulse width Option 26	10 ns for 2 GHz to 20 GHz (external); 50 ns for > 20 GHz (external) Option 26
Pulse rise and fall time (10% to 90%), > 2 GHz	10 ns (5 ns, (typical)
Pulse modes Option 27	Singlet, doublet, triplet, quadruplet Option 27
LF signal generator waveforms	Sine, square, pulse, triangle, ramp, GN/UN noise
Pulse train: number of pulses per burst Option 25	1 to 65535 Option 25
Pulse train: PRF range Option 25	0.024 Hz to 10 MHz Option 25

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

General

Display	7 inch touch screen
Power	90 VAC to 264 VAC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz, 350 VA maximum
Warm up time	From Standby: 30 minutes From cold start (0 °C): 120 hours to achieve specified frequency stability with aging
Weight	20.5 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD)	483 mm x 133 mm x 552 mm
Calibration cycle	2 years Recommended, from the date of shipment
Warranty	1 year from shipment date
Storage temperature range	–40 °C to +75 °C MIL-PRF-28800F, class 3

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
Single tone distortion – P1dB compression point
Two tone intermodulation – IP2, IP3
In band and out of band interference (C/I, Blocking)
Pulse modulated signal source for radar system testing
Pure CW source for LO substitution in transceiver chain testing
Clock and CW source for testing Gbit data converters (ADCs and DACs)
Additional synchronized source for vector analyzer swept measurements
Frequency reference for 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, 90 dB (MG36271A)
MG362x1A-0003	Low Phase Noise and High Stability — Required for Option 13
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 or MG36271A
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
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