Tektronix TSG4100A Vector Signal Generator Series up to 6 GHz

SHORT DESCRIPTION

A series of vector generators Tektronix TSG4100A already in the basic package includes everything you need to work with signals in the gigahertz range: four types of analog modulation (AM, FM, PM and IM), excellent accuracy in amplitude and frequency, good phase noise, a compact package and all popular digital interfaces for connecting to the computer. And the activation of software option VM00 makes available the main vector modulation formats (ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM, CPM and VSB) with an internal baseband source with a bandwidth of 6 MHz.

The series consists of three models: TSG4102A (up to 2 GHz), TSG4104A (up to 4 GHz) and TSG4106A (up to 6 GHz). Using additional software options, you can activate the generation of signals of the following standards: GSM, GSM EDGE, W-CDMA, APCO-25, DECT, NADC, PDC and TETRA. And with the help of the EIQ option, it becomes possible to generate signals with a maximum digital modulation bandwidth from an external source up to 200 MHz. You can download a full description of all the characteristics of these generators below on this page in the section Documentation.

Main characteristics:
Frequency: 0 Hz - 2 GHz (model TSG4102A).
Frequency: 0 Hz - 4 GHz (model TSG4104A).
Frequency: 0 Hz - 6 GHz (model TSG4106A).
Output power: -110 dBm to +16.5 dBm.
Amplitude error (at power over -60 dBm): ±0.15 dB to ±0.4 dB.
Phase noise at 1 GHz: -113 dBc/Hz (20 kHz offset).
Analog modulation from internal or external source: AM, FM, FM, IM.
Vector modulation (optional): ASK, QPSK, DQPSK, pi/4 DQPSK, 8PSK, FSK, CPM, QAM, etc.
Signal generation (optional): GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, APCO-25, DECT, NADC, PDC and TETRA.
Maximum modulation bandwidth from external source: 200 MHz (option EIQ).
Screen: graphic. Interfaces: Ethernet, USB, IEEE-488 (GPIB), RS-232.
Weight: 5.4 kg. Dimensions: 114 x 216 x 347 mm. Working temperature: from +5°С to +40°С.
Excellent accuracy, all types of modulation, optimal price

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All series of modern generators are presented here: High frequency signal generators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Tektronix TSG4100A Series Vector Signal Generators offer the performance of mid-range signal generators up to 200 MHz modulation bandwidth, but come at the price of entry-level RF generators. The capabilities of the TSG4100A series allow you to create signals with minimal spurious content, low phase noise (-113 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset from a 1 GHz carrier) and excellent frequency resolution (1 µHz at any frequency). Four types of analog modulation are standard in the TSG4100A series.

Easy software update VMxx options allows you to expand the functionality of these generators with more complex vector and digital modulation modes, providing flexibility and investment protection. TSG4100A series generators are perfectly combined with other devices of the company Tektronix such as a USB real-time spectrum analyzer RSA306B and combined oscilloscopes MDO3000 and MDO4000C.

Analog modulation included as standard

The Tektronix TSG4100A series generators provide four types of analog modulation as standard: AM amplitude modulation, FM frequency modulation, PM phase modulation and IM pulse modulation. The modulation source can be either an internal oscillator or an external one.

The internal source produces: sine, ramp, sawtooth, square and noise-like signals. The input for applying an external modulating signal is located on the rear panel of the device. Also, the modulating signal from the internal source can be taken from the output on the rear panel.

The top of this photo shows the TSG4100A series generator screen. For the 2.4 GHz carrier, frequency modulation type (FM) with a deviation of 50 kHz is selected. The bottom of this photo shows the screen of a spectrum analyzer that analyzed the signal produced by this generator. The frequency components are clearly visible, repeating with a step of 50 kHz.

Vector modulation

The TSG4100A series generators fully support vector modulation of RF signals in the frequency range from 400 MHz to 6 GHz. To create a modulating signal, they use a built-in two-channel arbitrary waveform generator operating at a frequency of 125 MHz. The TSG4100A provides support for the most common vector modulation schemes: ASK, QPSK, DQPSK, pi/4 DQPSK, 8PSK, FSK, CPM, QAM (4 to 256), 8VSB and 16VSB. In addition, they support all standard pulse shaping filters used in digital communication systems: raised cosine, square root of raised cosine, Gaussian filter, rectangular or triangular filter, and others. It is also possible to add additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) to the signal.

When installing the appropriate software option, the generator provides quick setup and formation of such digital communication protocols: GSM, GSM EDGE, W-CDMA, APCO-25, DECT, NADC, PDC and TETRA. The user can select the desired modulation type, symbol rate, TDMA duty cycle and digital signal filter types. According to the given protocols are configured rear panel outputs for digital TDMA signals, start of frame, and symbol clock. These protocols do not require external computers or third party software to set up the baseband generators.

The I/Q signals are calculated in real time. Constellation diagrams are formed from the symbols, then digital filtering is performed and the sampling rate is increased to 125 MS/s, after which the signal is fed to the quadrature modulator through 14-bit DACs. Symbols can be represented by a given code sequence or a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) generated by an internal source, as well as loaded as a list up to 16 Mb in size.

As an example, this photo shows a TSG4100A Series generator screen configured to generate a W-CDMA RF signal (requires Options VM00 and VM03). The center frequency of the channel is chosen to be 2.120 GHz. The symbol rate is 3.840 MHz. Other parameters of this signal can also be configured by the user.

The spectrum of the shaped W-CDMA signal is shown in this photo.

The constellation diagram of the shaped W-CDMA signal (constellation diagram) is shown in this photo.

And here is an example of the operation of the VM00 option (basic vector modulation formats). This screenshot shows the constellation diagram and spectrum of a 256 QAM modulated signal. The channel center frequency is 2.45 GHz. The channel width is about 8 MHz. The rate of transmitted symbols is 6,000,000 per second.

Temperature controlled clock generator

In TSG4100A series instruments with option M00 installed an thermostatically controlled clock generator (OCXO) is used. It is based on a 10 MHz resonator placed in a thermostat and operating at the third harmonic frequency (SC-cut). This clock oscillator manufacturing technology provides 100 times better stability and 100 times less phase noise (at low offsets from the carrier) compared to devices that use a TCXO type quartz resonator.

In TSG4100A series instruments with option M01 installed a simplified internal voltage controlled clock, type VCXO, is used.

This figure shows the Tektronix TSG4102A-M00, TSG4104A-M00 and TSG4106A-M00 SSB phase noise versus carrier frequency and carrier offset level.

Design of Tektronix TSG4100A Signal Generators

Structurally, the vector generators of the TSG4100A series are made in a small laboratory building. The generators are equipped with a color graphic screen and user-friendly controls, including a rotary knob for smooth value changes. The TSG4100A-RM2 Mounting Kit allows two of these units to be mounted horizontally in a standard rack.

On the back panel of the generators are all the necessary additional connectors: 10 MHz reference clock input and output, analog modulation input and output, I/Q vector modulation input and output, and synchronization outputs. The appearance of the front and rear panels of the generators is shown in this photo.

Tektronix TSG4100A Series Signal Generator Specifications

This figure shows only the most important features of the Tektronix TSG4100A vector signal generators: frequency range, output power level, amplitude accuracy, harmonics, SSB phase noise, internal modulation source options, and two types of built-in clock. A complete list of technical characteristics (17 pages) you can download below on this page in the section Documentation in PDF format.

Tektronix TSG4100A Signal Generator Package

Options and Accessories for Tektronix TSG4100A Signal Generators

Below is a list of the main options and optional accessories for the Tektronix TSG4100A series generators. For a detailed description of all options, see below on this page in the section Documentation. Also take a look at these sections of our website: microwave accessories and Measuring antennas.