Anritsu MG3740A Analog Signal Generator, 100 kHz to 2.7/4/6 GHz

Analog signal generator covering 100 kHz to 2.7, 4 or 6 GHz with AM/FM/ΦM/pulse modulation and optional dual RF outputs.

Frequency range (1stRF): 100 kHz to 2.7/4/6 GHz
Setting range (1st SG): 9 kHz to 2.7 GHz
Setting range (1st SG): 9 kHz to 4 GHz
Setting range (1st SG): 9 kHz to 6 GHz

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu MG3740A is an analog signal generator. It covers 100 kHz to 2.7 GHz, 4 GHz or 6 GHz, depending on the 1stRF frequency option chosen. AM, FM, ΦM and pulse modulation are built in as standard. Its SSB phase noise and output level performance make it a high-purity signal source for testing the receiver characteristics of analog radios.

An optional second RF output (2ndRF) puts two independent signal generators in one unit. Each output can be set to its own frequency, level and modulation. Typical uses are wanted-plus-interference signals for receiver tests, amplifier intermodulation measurements, and RF/LO sources for mixer evaluation, where two separate generators would otherwise be needed.

Expansion options

The additional analog modulation input options give two internal modulation sources (AM/FM/ΦM) and one external source, allowing simultaneous two-signal modulation such as superimposing tone squelch signals. The digital modulation option adds a narrowband digital modulation signal generator with a 2 MHz RF modulation bandwidth. Waveforms are created with the separately licensed TDMA IQproducer and Fading IQproducer software. A BER test function and up to two USB power sensors can also be added.

Operation and remote control

The instrument is set up from a touch panel with hierarchical menus, a hardware block chart screen and a frequency channel table. List and Sweep modes switch frequency and level in under 600 µs. Gigabit Ethernet, GPIB and USB interfaces are standard. Remote control supports SCPI as well as compatibility modes for the MG3700A, MS269xA, MS2830A and MG364xA.

Key Features

Frequency coverage of 100 kHz to 2.7/4/6 GHz
High-purity signal source for testing analog radio
Built-in AM/FM/ΦM/Pulse modulation function as standard
SSB phase noise <–140 dBc/Hz (nom.) at 100 MHz, 20 kHz offset, CW
Level setting range –110 to +17 dBm standard, –144 to +17 dBm with low power extension option
High power output of +23 dBm (CW, 400 MHz to 3 GHz) with option
Switching speed <600 µs in List/Sweep mode
Two independent RF outputs using the Dual-RF option
Additional analog modulation input option for two internal and one external modulation source
Expansion to narrowband digital modulation signal generator with 2 MHz RF modulation bandwidth (option)
BER measurement function with 100 bps to 40 Mbps input bit rate (option)
Connection of up to two USB power sensors (sold separately)
Choice of standard, high stability or rubidium reference oscillator
Standard 1000BASE-T, GPIB and USB interfaces
SCPI and MG3700A/MS269xA/MS2830A/MG364xA compatibility modes
Touch-panel operation with hardware block chart and frequency channel table

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency range (1stRF)	100 kHz to 2.7/4/6 GHz Selected by MG3740A-032/034/036
Setting range (1st SG) MG3740A-032	9 kHz to 2.7 GHz Datasheet setting range; web page lists the frequency range as starting at 100 kHz
Setting range (1st SG) MG3740A-034	9 kHz to 4 GHz
Setting range (1st SG) MG3740A-036	9 kHz to 6 GHz
Setting range (2nd SG) MG3740A-062	9 kHz to 2.7 GHz
Setting range (2nd SG) MG3740A-064	9 kHz to 4 GHz
Setting range (2nd SG) MG3740A-066	9 kHz to 6 GHz
Switching speed	≤600 μs Frequency >187.5 MHz, Phase Noise Optimization: Offset <200 kHz, time from trigger input to final frequency ±0.1 ppm or within 100 Hz when executing List function

Internal Reference Oscillator

Aging rate (standard)	±1 × 10⁻⁶/year Without MG3740A-001/002
Temperature characteristics (standard)	±2.5 × 10⁻⁶ (5° to 45°C) Without MG3740A-001/002
Aging rate MG3740A-001	±1 × 10⁻¹⁰/month Rubidium reference oscillator
Temperature characteristics MG3740A-001	±2 × 10⁻⁹ (5° to 45°C) Rubidium reference oscillator
Start-up characteristics MG3740A-001	±1 × 10⁻⁹ (7.5 minutes after power-on) 23 °C, referenced to frequency at 24 hours after power-on
Aging rate MG3740A-002	±1 × 10⁻⁷/year High stability reference oscillator
Temperature characteristics MG3740A-002	±2 × 10⁻⁸ (5° to 45°C) High stability reference oscillator
Start-up characteristics MG3740A-002	±5 × 10⁻⁷ (2 minutes after power-on), ±5 × 10⁻⁸ (5 minutes after power-on) 23 °C, referenced to frequency at 24 hours after power-on

Output Level

Setting range (standard)	–110 to +17 dBm Without MG3740A-041/042 (1stRF) or MG3740A-071/072 (2ndRF)
Setting range with High Power Extension MG3740A-041, MG3740A-071	–110 to +30 dBm Without Reverse Power Protection MG3740A-043/073
Setting range with High Power Extension and Reverse Power Protection MG3740A-041, MG3740A-071, MG3740A-043, MG3740A-073	–110 to +25 dBm
Setting range with Low Power Extension MG3740A-042, MG3740A-072	–144 to +17 dBm
Setting range with High and Low Power Extension MG3740A-041, MG3740A-042, MG3740A-071, MG3740A-072	–144 to +30 dBm Without Reverse Power Protection MG3740A-043/073
Setting range with High and Low Power Extension and Reverse Power Protection MG3740A-041, MG3740A-042, MG3740A-043, MG3740A-071, MG3740A-072, MG3740A-073	–144 to +25 dBm
High power output MG3740A-041, MG3740A-071	+23 dBm CW, 400 MHz to 3 GHz
Unit	dBm, dBμV (Terminated, Open)
Level switching speed	≤600 μs Frequency >187.5 MHz, within output level accuracy specification range; output level ≤+7 dBm when neither MG3740A-041 nor MG3740A-071 is installed; settled within ±0.2 dB of final level (List function)
Absolute level accuracy	±0.5 dB 400 MHz to 3 GHz, –110 to +10 dBm
Linearity	±0.2 dB (typ.) 50 MHz to 3 GHz, –110 to –1 dBm
ATT Hold setting range	–10 to +10 dB Each limit restricted by the signal output range

Output Connector

Connector	N-J Connector, 50 Ω (Front panel)
VSWR	≤1.9 (4 GHz < f ≤ 6 GHz) Output level ≤–7 dBm without MG3740A-043/073, ≤–10 dBm with MG3740A-043/073
Maximum reverse input (DC)	±50 VDC (max.)
Maximum reverse input power (standard)	2 W (nom.) Without MG3740A-043/073
Maximum reverse input power with Reverse Power Protection MG3740A-043, MG3740A-073	20 W (1 MHz < Frequency of Reverse Input Power ≤ 2 GHz) (nom.), 10 W (2 GHz < Frequency of Reverse Input Power ≤ 6 GHz) (nom.)

Signal Purity

Harmonic spurious	<–30 dBc CW, Optimize S/N Off; output level ≤+4 dBm (≤+12 dBm at 50 MHz ≤ f ≤ 3 GHz with MG3740A-041); ≤+1 dBm (≤+9 dBm with MG3740A-041) with MG3740A-043/073
Non-harmonic spurious	<–62 dBc, –70 dBc (typ.) (100 kHz ≤ f ≤ 187.5 MHz) CW, –30 dBm ≤ output level ≤ +5 dBm, offset ≥10 kHz
Non-harmonic spurious	<–68 dBc, –76 dBc (typ.) (187.5 MHz < f ≤ 750 MHz) CW, –30 dBm ≤ output level ≤ +5 dBm, offset ≥10 kHz
Non-harmonic spurious	<–62 dBc, –76 dBc (typ.) (750 MHz < f ≤ 1.5 GHz) CW, –30 dBm ≤ output level ≤ +5 dBm, offset ≥10 kHz
Non-harmonic spurious	<–56 dBc, –70 dBc (typ.) (1.5 GHz < f ≤ 3 GHz) CW, –30 dBm ≤ output level ≤ +5 dBm, offset ≥10 kHz
Non-harmonic spurious	<–50 dBc, –64 dBc (typ.) (3 GHz < f ≤ 6 GHz) CW, –30 dBm ≤ output level ≤ +5 dBm, offset ≥10 kHz
SSB phase noise	<–140 dBc/Hz (nom.) (100 MHz) CW, Phase Noise Optimization <200 kHz, 20 kHz offset
SSB phase noise	<–131 dBc/Hz (typ.) (1 GHz) CW, Phase Noise Optimization <200 kHz, 20 kHz offset
SSB phase noise	<–125 dBc/Hz (typ.) (2 GHz) CW, Phase Noise Optimization <200 kHz, 20 kHz offset

Analog Modulation

AM depth range	0 to 100 % Peak level ≤+4 dBm, AM Depth Type Lin, after CAL
AM depth error	<2 % of setting + 1 % 98 MHz ≤ f ≤ 2.7 GHz, modulation rate 1 kHz, sine, 20 % ≤ AM depth ≤ 90 %
AM distortion	<1 % 98 MHz ≤ f ≤ 2.7 GHz, modulation rate 1 kHz, sine, AM depth 30 % or 90 %
AM modulation frequency (internal source)	0.1 Hz to 50 MHz
FM deviation range	0 Hz to 40 MHz, or [50 MHz – Modulation Rate] (smaller value) Output level ≤+4 dBm, after CAL
FM deviation accuracy	< 3 % of setting + 20 Hz Modulation rate 1 kHz, sine, 200 Hz ≤ FM deviation ≤ 40 kHz, up to 2.7 GHz
FM distortion	< 0.5 % Modulation rate 1 kHz, sine, FM deviation 3.5 kHz, 1 MHz + 2 × (Modulation Rate + 2 × FM Deviation) ≤ f ≤ 2.7 GHz
FM modulation frequency (internal source)	0.1 Hz to 40 MHz, or (50 MHz-FM Rate), whichever smaller
FM modulation frequency response	20 Hz ≤ Modulation Rate ≤ 20 kHz (nom.) Deviation 40 kHz, ±1 dB bandwidth
PM deviation range	0 rad. to 160 rad., or [40 MHz ÷ Modulation Rate] (smaller value)
PM distortion	<0.2 % (typ.) Modulation rate 1 kHz, sine, PM deviation 20 rad.
Internal modulation waveform	Sine wave, Triangular wave, Square wave, Ramp wave (Positive or Negative)

Pulse Modulation

On/Off ratio	>70 dB (50 MHz ≤ f ≤ 3 GHz), >60 dB (3 GHz < f ≤ 6 GHz)
Minimum pulse width	1 μs (nom.)
Rise/fall time	≤50 ns (10 to 90 %) (nom.)
Pulse repetition frequency	DC to 1 MHz (Duty: 50 %)
External pulse modulation input	AUX Connector (Rear panel), TTL H: RF On, L: RF Off

Additional Analog Modulation Input

Modulation type MG3740A-050, MG3740A-080	AM, FM, ΦM FM and ΦM cannot be enabled simultaneously
Input impedance MG3740A-050, MG3740A-080	50 Ω/600 Ω/Hi-Z (100 kΩ/70 pF) (nom.)
Input level MG3740A-050, MG3740A-080	2 Vp-p (nom.) For set value; absolute maximum ±5 V
Input frequency MG3740A-050, MG3740A-080	DC Coupling: DC to 1 MHz (nom.), AC Coupling: 20 Hz (typ.) to 1 MHz (nom.)
Simultaneous modulation MG3740A-050, MG3740A-080	AM + FM, AM + ΦM, Internal 1 + Internal 2, Internal + External

Digital Modulation / Arbitrary Waveform Generator

RF modulation bandwidth MG3740A-020	2 MHz Over sampling rate = 4; maximum sampling rate 8 MHz
Sampling rate MG3740A-020	20 kHz to 8 MHz
Waveform resolution MG3740A-020	14, 15, 16 bits for each I/Q
Reconstruction filter MG3740A-020	80 MHz
Waveform memory MG3740A-020	64 Msamples Per RF, without MG3740A-045/075
Waveform memory with ARB Memory Upgrade MG3740A-045, MG3740A-075	256 Msamples
Carrier leak MG3740A-020	≤–55 dBc (100 MHz ≤ f < 4 GHz), ≤–45 dBc (f ≥ 4 GHz) 18° to 28°C, RMS value 0 dB, after CAL
Image rejection MG3740A-020	≤–50 dBc (200 MHz ≤ f < 4 GHz), ≤–43 dBc (f ≥ 4 GHz) 18° to 28°C, RMS value 0 dB, complex CW at 1 MHz or less, after CAL
Baseband level variable range MG3740A-020	±8 dB

Sweep/List Function

Sweep function	Sets frequency and level sweep at 1000-point resolution
List function	Sets sweep points for both frequency and level individually to 500 points

BER Measurement Function

Input bit rate MG3740A-021	100 bps to 40 Mbps
Connector MG3740A-021	AUX Connector (Rear panel), TTL
Input signal MG3740A-021	Data, Clock, Enable Polarity reversal supported
Measurable pattern MG3740A-021	Repeat PN9, PN11, PN15, PN20, PN23, ALL0, ALL1, 01, PN9 fix, PN11 fix, PN15 fix, PN20 fix, PN23 fix, User Define
Measurement mode MG3740A-021	Single, Endless, Continuous

Connectors and Interfaces

External reference input	BNC-J (Rear panel), 50 Ω (nom.), 5, 10, 13 MHz Operating range ±1 ppm; input level –15 dBm ≤ Level ≤ +20 dBm (AC coupled)
Reference signal output	BNC-J (Rear panel), 10 MHz, ≥0 dBm (AC coupled)
Sweep output MG3740A-017	BNC-J (Rear panel), 0 to 10 V (10 V Sweep Signal Function), 0/5 V (Sweep Status)
Ethernet	10/100/1000 Base-T, RJ-45 (Rear panel)
GPIB	IEEE488 Bus connector (IEEE488.2, Rear panel)
USB (B)	USB-B connector (USB2.0, Rear panel) Remote control
USB (A)	USB-A connector (USB2.0, Front panel: 2 ports, Rear panel: 2 ports)
Monitor output	Mini D-Sub connector (compatible with VGA, Rear panel)
AUX	50-pin (for DX10A-50S) (Rear panel), TTL
Command compatibility	SCPI, MG3700A/MS269xA/MS2830A/MG364xA compatibility modes

General

Display	XGA-color LCD (Diagonal: 213 mm, Resolution: 1024 × 768)
Dimensions	426 (W) × 177 (H) × 390 (D) mm Excluding projections
Mass	≤13.7 kg MG3740A-032, 034, or 036, excluding other options
Mass (all options)	≤17 kg Including all options
Power voltage	100 V(ac) to 120 V(ac), 200 V(ac) to 240 V(ac) 50 Hz/60 Hz
Power consumption	≤350 VA Including all options; 180 VA (nom.) with 1stRF and MG3740A-041/042, excluding other options
Temperature range	Operating: +5° to +45°C, Storage: –20° to +60°C
CE marking	EMC: 2014/30/EU, EN61326-1, EN61000-3-2; LVD: 2014/35/EU, EN61010-1; RoHS: 2011/65/EU, (EU) 2015/863, EN IEC 63000: 2018

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

Applications

Testing Rx characteristics of analog radio
Wanted + interference wave Rx characteristics tests
Testing amplifier distortion and intermodulation characteristics
RF/LO signal source for evaluating mixer characteristics
Testing Rx characteristics of narrowband digital radio
Public safety digital radio system evaluation
Private mobile radio (PMR)
Land mobile radio

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MG3740A-032	1stRF 100 kHz to 2.7 GHz — Selects 1stRF frequency range; one 1stRF option required; cannot be changed after installation
MG3740A-034	1stRF 100 kHz to 4 GHz — Selects 1stRF frequency range; one 1stRF option required; cannot be changed after installation
MG3740A-036	1stRF 100 kHz to 6 GHz — Selects 1stRF frequency range; one 1stRF option required; cannot be changed after installation
MG3740A-062/162	2ndRF 100 kHz to 2.7 GHz — Second RF output; 162 is the retrofit version
MG3740A-064/164	2ndRF 100 kHz to 4 GHz — Second RF output; 164 is the retrofit version
MG3740A-066/166	2ndRF 100 kHz to 6 GHz — Second RF output; 166 is the retrofit version
MG3740A-001/101	Rubidium Reference Oscillator — Aging rate ±1 × 10⁻¹⁰/month; 101 is the retrofit version
MG3740A-002/102	High Stability Reference Oscillator — Aging rate ±1 × 10⁻⁷/year; 102 is the retrofit version
MG3740A-011/111	Secondary HDD
MG3740A-014/114	Removable HDD, Windows 10
MG3740A-017/117	Universal Input/Output — Adds BNC sweep output on rear panel
MG3740A-020/120	Digital Modulation — Narrowband digital modulation; RF modulation bandwidth 2 MHz, sampling rate 20 kHz to 8 MHz
MG3740A-021/121	BER Test Function — Built-in BER measurement, bit rate 100 bps to 40 Mbps
MG3740A-041/141	High Power Extension for 1stRF — Increases upper limit of output power setting range
MG3740A-042/142	Low Power Extension for 1stRF — Extends lower limit of level setting range to –144 dBm
MG3740A-043/143	Reverse Power Protection for 1stRF — Protects output connector against reverse input power
MG3740A-045/145	ARB Memory Upgrade 256 Msample for 1stRF — Requires MG3740A-020/120
MG3740A-048/148	Combination of Baseband Signal for 1stRF — Two waveform memories to output two signals from one RF connector; requires MG3740A-020/120
MG3740A-050/150	Additional Analog Modulation Input for 1stRF — Two internal and one external modulation source; adds rear-panel BNC input
MG3740A-071/171	High Power Extension for 2ndRF — Increases upper limit of output power setting range
MG3740A-072/172	Low Power Extension for 2ndRF — Extends lower limit of level setting range to –144 dBm
MG3740A-073/173	Reverse Power Protection for 2ndRF — Protects output connector against reverse input power
MG3740A-075/175	ARB Memory Upgrade 256 Msample for 2ndRF — Requires MG3740A-020/120
MG3740A-078/178	Combination of Baseband Signal for 2ndRF — Requires MG3740A-020/120
MG3740A-080/180	Additional Analog Modulation Input for 2ndRF — Two internal and one external modulation source; adds rear-panel BNC input
MX370102A	TDMA IQproducer — Waveform generation software license; requires MG3740A-020/120
MX370107A	Fading IQproducer — Waveform generation software license; requires MG3740A-020/120
MG3740A-ES210	2 Years Extended Warranty Service
MG3740A-ES310	3 Years Extended Warranty Service
MG3740A-ES510	5 Years Extended Warranty Service
MA24105A	Inline Peak Power Sensor — 350 MHz to 4 GHz, +3 to +51.76 dBm
MA24106A	USB Power Sensor — 50 MHz to 6 GHz, –40 to +23 dBm
MA24108A	USB Power Sensor — 10 MHz to 8 GHz, –40 to +20 dBm
MA24118A	USB Power Sensor — 10 MHz to 18 GHz, –40 to +20 dBm
MA24126A	USB Power Sensor — 10 MHz to 26 GHz, –40 to +20 dBm