tracking generator application brief...tracking generators often provide better performance than...

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Application Brief

Introducing the Anritsu Tracking Generator and CW Generator

Option 20 for MS2711E, MS2712E and MS2713E Spectrum Analyzers

Anritsu introduces a new Tracking Generator option for its line of E-Series Spectrum Analyzers (MS2711E, MS2712E and MS2713E). Important specifications include the following:

• FrequencyRange 500kHzto3/4/6GHz(dependingonanalyzerused)• OutputPowerRange –50dBmto0dBm• PowerStepSize 0.1dB• PowerOutFlatness ±1.0dBusingenhancedpowercalibration

TheAnritsuOption20trackinggeneratorprovidesstateoftheartfeaturesnotseenwithothercompetitivehand-heldanalyzers.Thisincludescapabilitiessuchas0.1dBpowerstepsize,awidedynamicrangeandapoweroutputflatnessof±1dB.WithOption20,userscaneasilymakemeasurementssuchasfrequencyresponse,gainandreturnloss(usinganexternalbridge).

A tracking generator is a signal generator with an output that tracks or follows the tuning of a spectrum analyzer. A tracking generator therefore allows testing of many passiveandactiveelectroniccomponentsandcircuits(ordevicesundertest‘DUT’).Typesofdevicestestedincludethefollowing:

• T/RModules • Attenuators• Cables • Filters• Combiners • Switches• Couplers • Splitters/Dividers• Amplifiers • Isolators• Resonators • Transistors

Trackinggeneratoroutputpowersareuseradjustable.Smallpowerstepsizesareprovidedtoallowtheusertofinetunetheirmeasurementsforpowersensitivedevices.Thisfeatureisparticularlyhelpfulformeasuringsuchparameters as amplifier gain compression.

The Advantage of PortabilityAlthoughtheAnritsutrackinggeneratoriscommonlyusedinR&Dlabsettingsforproductdevelopmentandtesting.AnadditionalstrengthoftheAnritsusolutioncomeswithitsportability.Housedtogetherwithaspectrumanalyzer,theAnritsuTGweighsonly3.45kg(7.6lbs)withacompact size of 273x199x91 mm (10.7x7.8x3.6in).Thefieldtechnicianorcontractorwillbeabletomoreeasily conduct in-field measurements. Troubleshootingandsolvingproblemson site eliminates the need to carry suspectcomponentsbacktothelabforanalysis,savingbothtimeandmoney.

Application Brief

Introducing the Anritsu Tracking Generator and CW Generator

11410-00657,Rev.A PrintedinUnitedStates 2012-05 ©2012AnritsuCompany.AllRightsReserved.

®AnritsuAlltrademarksareregisteredtrademarksoftheirrespectivecompanies. Datasubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Forthemostrecentspecificationsvisit:www.anritsu.com

www.anritsu.com or 1-800-267-4878Pricing | Ordering | Training | Support

CW Signal Generator IncludedAnritsu’sOption20includesaContinuousWave(CW)generator.Ratherthansweepingoverafrequencyrange,CWgeneratorsoutputasignalfrequency.Thissource is often useful for measuring devicessuchasfixedfrequencyamplifiersandforsensitivityanalysisofreceivers.Similartotrackinggenerators,CWsignaloutputpowerscanbemodifiedasneededbytheuser.

Tracking Generators vs Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs)Trackinggeneratorsareidealforprovidingscalarnetworkanalysis,providingsignalstoaDUTwhichcanbemeasuredbyaspectrumanalyzer.Unlikenetworkanalyzers,TGsdonotprovidephaseinformation.Phaseinformationisnecessaryfordevelopingmorecompletecharacterizationsofnetworksanddevices.VNAsareusedforapplicationssuchasdevelopingconjugatematchingcircuitsforfilters and amplifiers. They are also utilized for circuit simulation, characterizing components(magnitudeandphase)forcircuitmodeldevelopment.However,trackinggeneratorsaresufficientwheremagnitude-onlymeasurementsarerequired.Thiscouldincludethegainresponseofanamplifierortomeasurebothpassbandand signal rejection characteristics of a filter.

TrackinggeneratorsoftenprovidebetterperformancethanVNAswhereawidedynamicrangeisneeded.Forexample,filtersusedincellularandotherwirelessapplicationsmayhavestopbandattenuationsofgreaterthan100dB.Forthesetypesofmeasurements,Anritsu’sOption20canprovidesuperiorperformance.Ingeneral,trackinggeneratorsalsoprovidemoreaccuratepoweroutputlevelsthanVNAs.Thisisimportantforapplicationssuchascharacterizingamplifiercompressionpointswhereabsolutepowermeasurementsareimportant.

Who needs a Tracking GeneratorTrackinggeneratorsareoftenusedbycomponentmanufacturersforbothautomatedtestandproductdesignwork.WiththeAnritsuTG,in-fielduseisalsofacilitatedduetotheTG’sportability.Cellularcarriers,contractorsandvariousoperatorsforbothwirelessandwiredinfrastructurecanuseOption20inthefieldfor installation and test of their systems.

Additionally,anyonepurchasingaSpectrumAnalyzermayhaveanoccasionalneedtomakescalarfrequencyresponsemeasurements.Option20providesalow-costalternativetomeetthisneed,whileprovidingtheflexibilityforuseinbothanR&Dandin-fieldenvironment.

How to OrderTheOption20TrackingGeneratorcanbeorderedasanoptionwiththepurchase of any of these Spectrum Analyzer products: MS2711E, MS2712E or MS2713E.