2GHz RF generator for under 3000 euro

A TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) product story

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Sep 5, 2003

Low-cost synthesised 150kHz to 2GHz signal generator incorporates essential features for most RF development, test and service work including frequency accuracy and stability

The new TGR2050, developed and manufactured in the UK by TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is a low-cost synthesised 150kHz to 2GHz signal generator which incorporates the essential features required for most RF development, test and service work: namely, frequency accuracy and stability, wide dynamic range, low phase noise and low leakage.

The new instrument offers AM, FM and phase modulation using either an internal or external source.

Wide modulation range and low distortion make it suitable for most modulated signal test procedures within the 150kHz to 2000MHz spectrum.

The TGR2050 sets a new price standard for a high-performance RF generator.

New manufacturing techniques utilising the latest component technologies have significantly reduced costs, making it possible for every engineer involved in RF design, manufacture or testing to have a generator of their own.

The generator uses a fully synthesised source locked to a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, providing frequency stability of better than one part per million over a 15C to 30C temperature range and an ageing rate better than one part per million per year.

Where yet higher accuracy and stability are required, the generator can be locked to an external 10MHz frequency standard.

Frequency can be set to a resolution of 10Hz across the whole frequency range, giving a peak 'setability' of 0.005 parts per million.

Frequency steps can be set to any value and stepping can be done with up/down keys or the rotary encoder.

This frequency stepping system makes operations such as precise amplitude response characterisation particularly easy.

The TGR2050 provides an amplitude range of -127dBm to +7dBm (0•1uV to 500mV into 50 ohms).

Setting resolution is 0.1dBm or 0.01uV.

Output level steps can be set anywhere between 0•1dBm and 100dBm (or 0•01uV to 100mV depending on the entry mode).

Stepping the level is useful for quick assessment of parameters such as circuit linearity and dynamic range.

The advanced attenuator design provides excellent flatness over the whole frequency range.

Meticulous internal screening provides very low output leakage, enabling accurate low-level measurements to be made in sensitive circuits such as receivers.

The generator provides full remote-control facilities for all its functions via both RS-232 and GPIB (IEEE-488.2) interfaces.

In addition, it can store nine full instrument set-ups in non-volatile memory.

This allows repetitive testing procedures to be undertaken quickly and accurately.

The TGR2050 incorporates a four-line, 80-character backlit display, numeric entry keypad and rotary encoder.

The compact casing measures 130x212x330mm (half-rack width by 3U height) and the weight is 4.6kg.

The manufacturer's recommended price is 2990 euro.