TSG4100A-UP-VM00 - Tektronix

RF Vector Signal Generators

TSG4100A Series

The TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generator offers mid-range

performance and up to 200 MHz modulation bandwidth at an entry-level RF

signal generator price. They use a new technique to provide spurious free

outputs with low phase noise (-113 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset from 1 GHz

carrier) and extraordinary frequency resolution (1 μHz at any frequency).

The TSG4100A Series comes standard with analog modulation.

Convenient, in-field software upgrades allow for easy transition from analog

to more advanced vector and digital modulation capabilities, providing the

most flexible configuration and best CAPEX protection. These instruments

complement other leading mid-range RF test solutions from Tektronix, such

as the USB-based RSA306 Spectrum Analyzer and MDO4000B and

MDO3000 Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes.

The TSG4100A Series instruments use an ovenized SC-cut oscillator

(TSG410xA-M00 or E1 models) time-base, providing a 100 X improvement

in stability (and a 100 X reduction in the in-close phase noise) compared to

instruments that use a TCXO time-base.

Key features

Analog and vector/digital signal generation capabilities

Dual baseband ARB generators

Analog modulation standard

Soft key upgrade to vector/digital modulation at very low cost

Digital modulation applications for GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, APCO-25,

DECT, NADC, PDC, and TETRA

USB, GPIB, RS-232, and LAN interfaces

12 pounds (5.6 kg)

2U high and half standard rack width

Key performance specifications

True DC to 2 GHz, 4 GHz or 6 GHz to support both analog and vector/

digital signal generation

Typical ≤±0.30 dB amplitude accuracy (0 dBm CW signal at 22 ºC)

from 10 MHz to 6 GHz

I/Q modulation inputs (400 MHz RF bandwidth)

ASK, FSK, MSK, PSK, QAM, VSB, and custom I/Q

Analog modulation

The Tektronix TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generators offer a wide

variety of modulation capabilities. Modes include amplitude modulation

(AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (ΦM), and pulse

modulation. There is an internal modulation source as well as an external

modulation input. The internal modulation source produces sine, ramp,

saw, square, and noise waveforms. An external modulation signal may be

applied to the rear panel modulation input. The internal modulation

generator is available as an output on the rear panel.

Vector modulation

The TSG4100A Series builds on this performance by adding full support for

vector signal modulation on RF carriers between 400 MHz and 6.0 GHz. It

features a dual arbitrary waveform generator operating at 125 MHz for

baseband signal generation. The generator has built-in support for the most

common vector modulation schemes: ASK, QPSK, DQPSK, π/4 DQPSK,

8PSK, FSK, CPM, QAM (4 to 256), 8VSB, and 16VSB. It also includes

built-in support for all the standard pulse shaping filters used in digital

communications: raised cosine, root-raised cosine, Gaussian, rectangular,

triangular, and more. Lastly, it provides direct support for the controlled

injection of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) into the signal path.

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Internal baseband generators

Using a novel architecture for I/Q modulation, the TSG4100A Series

provides quick, user-friendly waveform generation. The baseband

generator supports the playback of pure digital data. It automatically maps

digital symbols into a selected I/Q constellation at symbol rates of up to

6 MHz and passes the result through the selected pulse shaping filter to

generate a final waveform updated in real time at 125 MHz. This baseband

signal is then modulated onto an RF carrier using standard IQ modulation

techniques.

Digital communications protocols (GSM, GSM EDGE, W-CDMA, APCO-25,

DECT, NADC, PDC, and TETRA) quickly configure the signal generator to

the correct modulation type, symbol data rates, TDMA duty cycles, and

digital waveform filters. The preset protocols also configure the rear-panel

TDMA, START of FRAME, and SYMBOL CLOCK digital outputs. The

baseband generators can be configured for these protocols without the use

of external computers or third party software.

The I/Q waveforms are computed in real time. Symbols are mapped to

constellations, digitally filtered, and up-sampled to 125 Msps to drive the I/

Q modulator via dual 14-bit DACs. The symbols can be a fixed pattern,

PRBS data from an internal source, or come from a downloaded user list of

up to 16 Mbits.

The constellation mapping can be modified by the user. Digital filters

include raised cosine, root raised cosine, Gaussian, rectangular, linear,

sinc, and user-defined FIR.

External IQ modulation

The rear-panel BNC I/Q modulation inputs and outputs enable arbitrary

vector modulation via an external source. The external signal path supports

maximally 400 MHz of RF bandwidth with a full scale range of ±0.5 V and a

50 Ω input impedance.

Power vs. frequency

All TSG4100A Series models have cascaded stages of amplifiers and

digital attenuators to drive the RF output. Five stages can provide up to

+25 dB of gain to -130 dB of attenuation in 156 digitally controlled steps.

During factory calibration, the output power is measured at 32 frequencies

per octave for each of the 156 attenuator steps to populate a memory

matrix with about 40,000 elements. When set to a particular frequency and

power, the instrument interpolates between these matrix elements to

determine the best attenuator setting. An analog attenuator is used to

provide 0.01 dB resolution between matrix elements and to compensate for

residual thermal effects.

OCXO time-base

These instruments offer an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) time-

base. The time-base uses a third-overtone stress-compensated 10 MHz

resonator in a thermostatically controlled oven. The time-base provides

very low phase noise and very low aging.

Easy remote communications

Remote operation is supported with RS-232, LAN, and GPIB interfaces. All

instrument functions can be controlled and read over any of the interfaces.

Up to nine instrument configurations can be saved in non-volatile memory.

TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generator

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Specifications

All specifications apply to all models unless noted otherwise.

Frequency

BNC output, all models DC to 62.5 MHz

N-type outputs

TSG4102A 950 kHz to 2.0 GHz

TSG4104A 950 kHz to 4.0 GHz

TSG4106A 950 kHz to 6.0 GHz

Frequency resolution 1 μHz at any frequency

Switching speed <8 ms (to within 1 ppm)

Frequency error <(10–18 + time-base error) × fc

Frequency stability 1 × 10–11 (1 s Allan variance)

Front panel BNC output

Frequency range DC to 62.5 MHz

Amplitude 1.00 VRMS to 0.001 VRMS (-47 dBm to +14.96 dBm)

Offset ±1.5 VDC

Offset resolution 5 mV

Maximum excursion 1.817 V (amplitude + offset)

Amplitude resolution <1 %

Amplitude accuracy ±0.7 dB

Harmonics, typical <–40 dBc

Spurious, typical <–65 dBc

Output coupling DC, 50 Ω ±2%

Impedance 50 Ω

Reverse protection ±5 VDC

VSWR, typical < 1.6 :1

Datasheet

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Front panel N-type output

Power output

TSG4102A +16.5 dBm to –110 dBm

TSG4104A +16.5 dBm to –110 dBm (<3 GHz)

TSG4106A +16.5 dBm to –110 dBm (<4 GHz)

+10 dBm to –110 dBm (4-6 GHz)

Voltage output

TSG4102A 1.5 VRMS to 0.7VRMS

TSG4104A 1.5 VRMS to 0.7 μVRMS (<3 GHz)

TSG4106A 1.5 VRMS to 0.7 μVRMS (<4 GHz)

Amplitude resolution 0.01 dBm

Amplitude accuracy

CW, 50 Ω load (dB, typical) CW, 18 °C to 28 °C >10 dBm 10 to -30 dBm -30 to -60 dBm -60 to -100 dBm <-100 dBm

10 MHz to 0.1 GHz ±0.2 ±0.25 ±0.35 ±0.45 ±0.6

0.1 GHz to 2 GHz ±0.15 ±0.15 ±0.25 ±0.35 ±0.6

2 GHz to 4 GHz ±0.3 ±0.2 ±0.35 ±0.6 ±0.8

4 GHz to 6 GHz NA ±0.3 ±0.4 ±0.75 ±1.25

CW, 50 Ω load (dB, max) Level range: +5 to -30 dBm (max) +5 to -30 dBm (typical)

Temperature: 18 °C to 28 °C 5 °C to 40 °C 5 °C to 40 °C

10 MHz to 0.1 GHz ±0.6 ±1.0 ±0.7

0.1 GHz to 2 GHz ±0.6 ±1.0 ±0.6

2 GHz to 4 GHz ±0.6 ±1.0 ±0.7

4 GHz to 6 GHz ±1 ±1.5 ±0.9

Impedance 50 Ω

Output coupling AC, 50 Ω

VSWR, typical <1.5 (2 MHz to 2 GHz)

<1.8 (2 GHz to 6 GHz)

Reverse protection 30 VDC, +25 dBm

IQ modulation output level

accuracy

Output amplitude is -5 dBm.

Temperature: 18 °C to 28 °C 5 °C to 40 °C

Fc: Typical (dB) Max (dB) Typical (dB)

<2 GHz ±0.1 ±0.4 ±0.4

2 GHz to 4 GHz ±0.2 ±0.6 ±0.4

4 GHz to 6 GHz ±0.4 ±0.8 ±0.7

TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generator

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Spectral purity of the RF output

Subharmonics None

Harmonics, maximum Output level <0 dBm, 1 GHz CW signal

TSG4102A and TSG4104A < -38 dBc

TSG4106A < -30 dBc

Harmonics, typical (output level <

0 dBm)

< -35 dBc, CW , Fc < 2 GHz

Spurious (typical) Output level -10 dBm, CW

< -68 dBc >10 kHz from carrier in 950 kHz to 1 GHz

< -60 dBc >10 kHz from carrier in 1 GHz to 2 GHz

< -55 dBc >10 kHz from carrier in 2 GHz to 4 GHz

< -55 dBc >10 kHz from carrier in 4 GHz to 6 GHz

Residual FM, typical 1 Hz rms (300 Hz to 3 kHz bandwidth)

Residual AM, typical 0.006 % rms (300 Hz to 3 kHz bandwidth)

SSB phase noise Output level is +5 dBm at 18 °C to 28 °C.

Carrier Offset from carrier, typical (dBc/Hz)

1 kHz 10 kHz 20 kHz 1 MHz

1 GHz -102 -110 -113 -124

2 GHz -96 -104 -107 -118

3 GHz -93 -102 -105 -120

6 GHz -87 -96 -99 -114

SSB phase noise at 1 GHz carrier,

maximum (output level +5 dBm,

5 ℃ to 40 ℃)

1 kHz offset –95 dBc/Hz

10 kHz offset –106 dBc/Hz

20 kHz offset –107 dBc/Hz

1 MHz offset –120 dBc/Hz

2 GHz offset –118 dBc/Hz

>3 GHz offset –120 dBc/Hz

Datasheet

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Phase setting (front panel outputs)

Maximum phase step ±360º

Phase resolution 0.01º (DC to 100 MHz)

0.1º (100 MHz to 1 GHz)

1.0º (1 GHz to 6 GHz)

OCXO time-base (Option M00 or Option E1)

Oscillator type Oven-controlled, 3rd OT, SC-cut crystal

Initial accuracy at calibration

(20 minute warm-up, at 18 ºC to

28 ºC)

<±0.02 ppm

Temperature drift (0 ºC to 40 ºC) <±0.003 ppm

Aging <±0.05 ppm/year

TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generator

Spectral purity of the RF output

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VCXO time base (Option M01)

Initial accuracy at calibration

(20 minute warm-up, at 18 ºC to

28 ºC)

<±0.5 ppm

Temperature drift (0 ºC to 40 ºC) <±5.0 ppm

Aging <±3.0 ppm/year

Time-base input

Frequency 10 MHz, ±2 ppm

Amplitude 0.5 VP-P to 4 VP-P (–2 dBm to +16 dBm)

Input impedance 50 Ω, AC coupled

Time-base output

Frequency 10 MHz, sine

Source 50 Ω, DC transformer coupled

Amplitude >7.5 dBm

Internal modulation source

Waveforms Sine, ramp, saw, square, pulse, noise

Sine THD –74 dBc (typical at 20 kHz)

Ramp linearity <0.05 % (1 kHz)

Rate

TSG4102A and TSG4104A 1 μHz to 500 kHz: < 62.5 MHz CF

1 μHz to 50 kHz: ≥62.5 MHz

TSG4106A 1 μHz to 500 kHz: < 93.75 MHz CF

1 μHz to 50 kHz: ≥93.75 MHz

Rate resolution 1 μHz

Rate error 1:231 + time-base error

Noise function White Gaussian noise (rms = dev / 5)

Noise bandwidth 1 μHz < ENBW < 50 kHz

Pulse generator period 1 μs to 10 s

Pulse generator width 100 ns to 9999.9999 ms

Pulse timing resolution 5 ns

Pulse noise function Length 2N-1 PRBS 5 ≤ N ≤ 32, bit period 100 nS to 10 S

Datasheet

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