Agilent Introduces New PXI Vector Signal Generator

By DE Editors

Agilent Technologies has introduced a new vector signal generator in a PXI form factor. The Agilent M9381A is a 1-MHz to 3- or 6-GHz VSG that combines fast switching and RF parametric performance: high output power, linearity and improved level accuracy,  adjacent channel power ratio performance (for output levels up to +10 dBm or more) and wide modulation bandwidth (up to 160 MHz) for testing RF devices.
 
Agilent designed the unit for applications such as testing and validating the design of wireless power amplifiers and transceivers,  public safety and military radios, and cellular base stations (primarily picocell and femtocell). The company’s baseband-tuning technology enables frequency and amplitude switching speed as fast as 10 µs in list mode and 250 µs from its programming interface. The switching speed is further enhanced by linearity and repeatability associated with Agilent’s signal generators, the company said.
 
The list mode helps increase speed and provides flexibility by allowing engineers to change 80 parameters, including frequency, power and modulation in as many as 3,201 list mode points. This enables engineers to meet a wide variety of test requirements while improving test throughput, the company added.
 
It can be used at power levels up to +10 dBm or more depending on the standard, with little degradation to adjacent channel power ratio performance, the company said. It also delivers ACPR of up to -70 dBc (W-CDMA test model 1, 64 DPCH). The output power up to +19 dBm can be controlled precisely with accuracy of ±0.4 dB.
 
For more information, visit Agilent Technologies.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.