RF signal generator or Radio Frequency signal generator is a particularly useful item of test equipment widely used in RF design and test applications. RF signal generator is available in a variety of forms and with a host of specifications.
That is why, it is necessary to decide whether the specifications of the RF signal generator are suitable with your needs for the required test equipment or not. If this signal generator is over-specified, then this can result in a considerable increase in cost.
RF signal generator is a form of electronics test equipment found in virtually every radio frequency design or test laboratory. This signal generator is used wherever an RF signal needs to be supplied to a circuit or unit that is being developed or tested.
It is possible to design RF signal generator in a variety of ways. Also,different techniques have evolved with developments that have been made in electronics circuitry over the years. It can be said that there are two forms of signal generator that can be sued: free running Radio frequency signal generator and synthesized RF signal generator.
Free running RF signal generator is rarely used these days because the frequency of this generator tends to drift. However, this generator has the advantage that the signal produced is very clean and does not have the level of noise (phase noise) either side of the main signal that is present on some other radio frequency signal generators.
Meanwhile, synthesized RF signal generator is the signal generator that is most used today. Using this technique enables frequencies to be entered directly from a keypad, or via remote control and it also enables the output signal to be determined very accurately. The accuracy being dependent upon either an internal reference oscillator that can have a very high degree of accuracy, or the signal can be locked to an external frequency reference which can be exceedingly accurate.
There are a number of important specifications associated with any RF signal generator. While some are fairly common to all applications, it is necessary to make sure that all the requirements for the signal generator are noted. Some of the more common RF signal generator parameters include frequency range, harmonics and spurious signals, power output, power accuracy, phase noise, accuracy, and modulation forms supported.
Before purchasing an RF signal generator, it is important for you to have a good idea of the specification required. High performance radio frequency signal generators can be very costly and therefore it is necessary not to set the specification too high otherwise costs will rise. In the other hand, the specification should not be set too low otherwise it will not be able to fulfill its requirements and again money will be wasted.
N9310A RF Signal Generator, 9 kHz – 3 GHz is one of RF signal generators available in the market. This signal generator offers you professional performance and compact size for general purpose testing needs. The N9310A is ideal for electronic manufacturing test for modern consumer products like cordless phones, digital radios, GPC modules, RFIDs and wireless LAN devices. It is the first in this new entry-level of RF basic instruments. It comes with all the capability and reliability you need – at a price you always wanted.
This RF signal generator is easy to operate. It generates common RF signals from 9kHz up to 3 GHz. With the built-in analog modulation capabilities, it can generate modulated AM, FM, QM and pulse signal easily. Adding optional analog Iq input capability; it can generate complex IQ modulated signals such as GSM, cdma and OFDM signals from custom IQ inputs.
