The R&S SGU100A RF upconverter from Rohde & Schwarz extends the frequency range of the R&S SGS100A vector signal generator from 12.75 GHz to 20 GHz. By combining the two instruments, users can now generate vector signals continuously from 80 MHz to 20 GHz, e.g. for use in test systems in the aerospace & defense sector.

Once combined, the R&S SGS100A and R&S SGU100A act as a single unit with one I/Q input and one RF output. This combined unit can also be controlled remotely or manually just like a single instrument. Depending on the configuration, it takes up two height units at ½ 19" width or one height unit at 19" width.

The R&S SGS100A and R&S SGU100A together take up considerably less space in the rack than other, comparable microwave vector signal generators, while still offering outstanding performance. For example, the error vector magnitude (EVM) for a 30 Msym/s QPSK signal is 0.5 percent at an RF frequency of 14 GHz. Above 12 GHz, the R&S SGS100A with the R&S SGU100A features an I/Q modulation bandwidth of 2 GHz. This provides an ideal solution for wideband applications such as those used in satellite communications or radar tests requiring extremely short pulses.

The R&S SGU100A is available as a pure CW source or as a source for I/Q-modulated signals. Especially when using the CW version, the combination of R&S SGS100A and R&S SGU100A is optimal for multitone applications requiring phase coherence. Users who already have an R&S SGS100A up to 12.75 GHz or another signal generator with a similar frequency range can use the R&S SGU100A to extend their generator’s frequency range up to 20 GHz.