Analog Signal Generator Sets Phase-Noise Record

July 6, 2006

The E8663B from Agilent Technologies isn't just another off-the-shelf analog signal generator with a wide frequency range. According to the company, it provides the best close-to-carrier phase-noise specification in its class. It offers a typical –130 dBc/Hz phase noise or lower at a 1-kHz offset from a 1-GHz carrier and up to 21 dBm of output power. Also, it can operate over 100 kHz to either 3.2 or 9 GHz.

These specs make the E8663B ideal for design and manufacturing test engineers working on transceivers for radar/electronic warfare and for satellite or terrestrial radio systems using wide channel bandwidths. The fully synthesized instrument replaces the discontinued HP or Agilent 8662A and 8663A signal generators, which have been the industry standards in low-noise signal generation since 1981.

The E8663B also features an output power of –135 to +21 dBm, depending on the selected frequency range option. Step attenuation is specified at 0 to 115 dB for the 3.2-GHz frequency option and 5 to 115 dB for the 9-GHz option in 10-dB steps.

The E8663B is available now. Pricing starts at $41,500 (100-kHz to 3.2-GHz frequency range option) and $47,500 (100-kHz to 9-GHz frequency range option). An optional 10-year support package is available as well.

Agilent Technologies Inc.
www.agilent.com

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About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.