Anritsu Rubidium MG36221A RF/Microwave Signal Generator, front view

Anritsu / Series · Signal Generators

Rubidium MG362x1A RF/Microwave Signal Generator Series, 9 kHz to 20/43.5/70 GHz

Low-noise RF/microwave signal generator family covering 9 kHz to 20, 43.5 or 70 GHz with optional rubidium atomic clock time base.

Frequency range: 9 kHz to 20.0 GHz
Frequency range: 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz
Frequency range: 9 kHz to 70 GHz
Output connector: 2.92 mm K(m)

View Models Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu Rubidium MG362x1A is a family of RF/microwave signal generators covering 9 kHz to 20 GHz (MG36221A), 43.5 GHz (MG36241A) and 70 GHz (MG36271A), operable up to 72 GHz. The instruments are intended for applications where signal purity matters, such as radar, transceiver, ADC/DAC and component testing. Low Phase Noise (Option 3) and Ultra Low Phase Noise (Option 13) options are available, and Option 23 adds a rear-panel CW output from 2 GHz to 20 GHz with phase noise about 3 dB lower than the front panel output.

Frequency stability

An internal rubidium frequency reference (Option 56) gives atomic clock frequency stability. As an alternative, the GNSS/GPS Atomic Clock Receiver (Option 66) produces a 1 PPS signal from satellite signals that is used to calibrate the internal OCXO or rubidium time base. This allows on-site frequency calibration, which suits metrology labs and high-speed clock applications.

Modulation and sweep

The generators support AM, FM/PM, pulse and pulse train modulation. FM and pulse modulation can run at the same time, so chirp waveforms can be generated, and pulse signal simulation for pulsed radar testing is built in. Step, list and analog frequency sweeps are available (analog on MG36221A and MG36241A only), as well as step, list and analog power sweeps. With Option 18 and an Anritsu USB power sensor, users can run on-site level calibration.

Operation and connectivity

The front panel has a 7-inch touch screen with a keypad and rotary dial, and four USB 3.0 ports for memory devices and Anritsu USB power sensors. For remote control the instruments offer Ethernet and GPIB with SCPI and native MG369xC-compatible commands, plus IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers. External VDI multiplier modules extend frequency coverage up to 1.1 THz.

Models in this series

Model	Description
MG36221A	Rubidium MG36221A 9 kHz to 20 GHz Low Noise RF/Microwave Signal Generator Rubidium RF/microwave signal generator covering 9 kHz to 20 GHz with low phase noise and up to +20 dBm standard output power.	Details →
MG36241A	Rubidium MG36241A 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz RF/Microwave Signal Generator Rubidium RF/microwave signal generator covering 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz with low phase noise and optional atomic clock frequency stability.	Details →
MG36271A	Rubidium MG36271A 9 kHz to 70 GHz RF/Microwave Signal Generator Low-noise RF/microwave signal generator covering 9 kHz to 70 GHz with a 1.85 mm V(m) output and optional rubidium time base.	Details →

Key Features

Frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 20/43.5/70 GHz, operable to 72 GHz
SSB phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset
Low Phase Noise (Option 3) and Ultra Low Phase Noise (Option 13) options
Premium Phase Noise CW rear-panel output, 2 GHz to 20 GHz (Option 23)
Atomic clock frequency stability with internal rubidium time base (Option 56)
GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver for on-site frequency calibration (Option 66)
On-site user level calibration with Anritsu USB power sensors (Option 18)
Low harmonic and spurious levels
AM, FM, PM, pulse and pulse train modulation
Simultaneous synchronized FM and pulse modulation for chirp generation
Quad pulse generation and pulse sweep for radar target simulation
Up to +30 dBm leveled output power with High Power Output (Option 15)
Analog frequency sweep with up to 20 independent markers (MG36221A and MG36241A)
Analog power sweep
Frequency range extendable to 1.1 THz with millimeter-wave multipliers
7-inch touch screen with keypad and rotary dial
Four front-panel USB 3.0 ports
IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers with SCPI command support
Removable SDIO memory (Option 37)

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency range MG36221A	9 kHz to 20.0 GHz
Frequency range MG36241A	9 kHz to 43.5 GHz
Frequency range MG36271A	9 kHz to 70 GHz Operable up to 72 GHz
Output connector MG36221A, MG36241A	2.92 mm K(m)
Output connector MG36271A	1.85 mm V(m)
Frequency resolution	0.001 Hz
Reference frequency accuracy	1 x 10-8 When instrument leaves the factory
Phase offset	Adjustable in 0.1 degree steps
Minimum CW frequency with Option 6 Option 6	10 MHz Adding Option 6 changes minimum CW frequency from 9 kHz to 10 MHz

Internal Time Base

Time base type	OCXO Standard and Option 3
Time base type Option 56	Rubidium
Aging rate per year	< ±5 × 10–7 Standard
Aging rate per year Option 3	< ±2 × 10–8
Aging rate per year Option 56	< ±1 × 10–9
Temperature effects from 0 to 55 °C	< ±3 × 10–7 Standard
Temperature effects from 0 to 55 °C Option 3	< ±2 × 10–9
Temperature effects from 0 to 55 °C Option 56	< ±3 × 10–10
Short-term stability Option 56	< 8 × 10–12 Allan deviation per 100 s after 2 hours warm up

Reference Input/Output

Reference frequency input/output	10 MHz, 100 MHz and 1.6 GHz
Internal reference output, 10 MHz	10 dBm Output level ±3 dB; standard
Internal reference output, 100 MHz Option 3, Option 13	12 dBm Output level ±3 dB
Internal reference output, 1600 MHz Option 3, Option 13	5 dBm Output level ±3 dB
External reference input frequency	10 MHz Standard; 0 dBm to +10 dBm, BNC, rear panel
External reference input frequency Option 3	1 Hz (PPS), 10 MHz, 100 MHz, 1600 MHz
Electronic frequency control input	–4 to +4 VDC High impedance (1 MΩ nominal), BNC, rear panel

Signal Purity

SSB phase noise	-136 dBc/Hz (typ) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) @ 10 GHz output, 10 kHz offset
SSB phase noise, 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset	–127 (–132) dBc/Hz Standard; typical in parentheses
SSB phase noise, 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset Option 3	–128 (–133) dBc/Hz Low Phase Noise; typical in parentheses
SSB phase noise, 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset Option 13	–131 (–136) dBc/Hz Ultra Low Phase Noise; typical in parentheses
SSB phase noise, 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset Option 23	–140 dBc/Hz Premium Phase Noise CW, measured
Harmonics (20/43.5/70 GHz) MG36221A	-58 dBc Datasheet highlights list –55 dBc for the family
Harmonics (20/43.5/70 GHz) MG36241A, MG36271A	-55 dBc
Sub-harmonics MG36221A, MG36241A	-83 dBc
Sub-harmonics MG36271A	-63 dBc
Non-harmonics (20/43.5/70 GHz)	-63 dBc
Residual FM, 10 GHz	0.93 Hz Standard, 0.05 to 15 kHz BW
Residual FM, 10 GHz Option 13	0.55 Hz Ultra Low Phase Noise, 0.05 to 15 kHz BW
Spurious (Option 23) Option 23	< –70 dBc

Output Power

Output power MG36221A	-130 dBm to +20 dBm Standard output, with Option 2
Output power MG36241A	-130 dBm to +16 dBm Standard output, with Option 2
Output power MG36271A	-90 dBm to +6 dBm Standard output, with Option 2. Datasheet lists –100 dBm to +6 dBm (70 GHz, standard output) and –100 dBm minimum leveled power with attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, ≥2 GHz to 10 GHz MG36221A	+21 dBm Standard power, without step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, ≥ 2 GHz to 10 GHz MG36221A, Option 15	+30 dBm High Power, without step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, > 20 GHz to 43.5 GHz MG36241A	+16 dBm Standard power, without step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, > 65 GHz to 67 GHz MG36271A	+9 dBm Standard power, without step attenuator
Level accuracy and flatness MG36221A, MG36241A	± 1.4 dB
Level accuracy and flatness MG36271A	± 2.5 dB
Minimum settable output power	–130 dBm With an attenuator; –20 dBm without
Minimum leveled output power with attenuator MG36221A, MG36241A	–120 dBm
Minimum leveled output power with attenuator MG36271A	–100 dBm
Power level switching time	< 3 ms Typical, without change in step attenuator; < 20 ms with change
Step attenuator MG36221A, MG36241A, Option 2	110 dB 10 dB/step
Step attenuator MG36271A, Option 2	90 dB 10 dB/step
Output power resolution	0.01 dB or 0.000 001 V
Output SWR (internal leveling)	< 2.0 Typical
Power level stability with temperature	± 0.04 dB/°C
Premium Phase Noise CW output Option 23	2 GHz to 20 GHz, unleveled, nominally +14 to +23 dBm Rear panel RF output

Modulation

Modulation	AM, FM, PM, Pulse and Pulse Train
AM depth Option 12	Linear: 0 % to 90 %; Log: 0 dB to 20 dB Nominal
AM bandwidth (3 dB) Option 12	DC to > 50 kHz DC to 100 kHz (nominal)
FM max deviation (low noise) Option 12	10 MHz *Nmod See Nmod table in datasheet
Pulse modulation: min pulse width	<50 ns Unleveled
Pulse modulation: rise/fall times	5 ns Typical
Pulse on/off ratio Option 26	> 80 dB (70 dB for frequencies < 2 GHz)
Minimum leveled pulse width Option 26	100 ns, ≥ 2 GHz; 1 µs, < 2 GHz
PRF range Option 26	DC to 10 MHz, unleveled; 100 Hz to 5 MHz, leveled
Pulse modes Option 27	Singlet, doublet, triplet, quadruplet
Pulse width Option 27	10 ns to 42 s
Pulse train: number of pulse patterns/bursts Option 25	1 to 2047
Pulse train: pulses per burst Option 25	1 to 65535
LF signal generator waveforms	Sine, square, pulse, triangle, ramp, GN/UN noise Datasheet also lists User defined
Internal modulation rate Option 27	0.1 Hz to 10 MHz sinusoidal; 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz square-wave, triangle, ramps
User defined modulation waveform memory Option 10	8191 points

Sweep

Frequency sweep modes	Step, List, Analog (MG36221A and MG36241A only)
Frequency sweep width	9 kHz to full frequency range (step, list); 100 MHz to full frequency range (analog)
Number of steps	Variable from 2 to 65535 Phase-locked step sweep
Dwell time per step	Variable from 10 µS to 100 S
Analog sweep time range Option 6	30 ms to 99 s Available for MG36221A and MG36241A only
List sweep	up to 10 tables with 4000 non-sequential frequency/power sets
Frequency markers Option 6	Up to 20 independent, settable markers (F0 – F9 and M0 – M9) Option 6 required
Power sweep	Step, List, and Analog Analog requires Option 16
Power sweep resolution	0.01 dB/step
Analog power sweep range Option 16	-20 dBm (typical) to maximum leveled power With the step attenuator set to 0 dBm

Remote Operation

Interfaces	Ethernet, GPIB (IEEE-488 interface bus)
Ethernet port	1000 Base-T (Gbit Ethernet)
Commands	SCPI, Native (MG369xC compatible proprietary command set)
HiSLIP	Support available
Drivers	IVI.NET and IVI-C
Front panel USB	Four USB 3.0 ports

General

Display	7 inch touch screen With keypad and dial
Power	90 VAC to 264 VAC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz, 350 VA maximum
Weight	20.5 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD)	483 mm x 133 mm x 552 mm
Warm up time	From Standby: 30 minutes From cold start (0 °C): 120 hours to achieve specified frequency stability with aging
Calibration cycle	2 years Recommended, from the date of shipment
Warranty	1 year from shipment date
Storage temperature range	–40 °C to +75 °C MIL-PRF-28800F, class 3

Regulatory Compliance

Electromagnetic compatibility	EN 61326-1:2013
Emissions	EN 55011:2016 +A2:2021 Group 1 Class A
Electrical safety	EN 61010-1:2010
EU directives	EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU + 2015/863

Applications

Avionics and aircraft manufacturing
Radar and electronics peacekeeping
Single tone distortion and P1dB compression point measurements
Two tone intermodulation (IP2, IP3) measurements
In band and out of band interference testing (C/I, blocking)
Pulse modulated source for radar system testing
CW source for LO substitution in transceiver chain testing
Clock and CW source for Gbit ADC and DAC testing
Swept linear measurements synchronized with vector analyzers
Frequency reference for calibration and metrology labs

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MG362x1A-0001	Rack Mount with Slides — Cannot be ordered with Option 11
MG362x1A-0002	Mechanical Step Attenuator — 110 dB (MG36221A/MG36241A); 90 dB (MG36271A)
MG362x1A-0003	Low Phase Noise and High Stability — Required for Option 13
MG36221A-0006	Analog Sweep, Frequency
MG36241A-0006	Analog Sweep, Frequency
MG362x1A-0009	Rear Panel K(m) Connector RF Output — For MG36221A and MG36241A
MG362x1A-0010	User Defined Modulation — Requires Option 12, Option 26, and Option 27 when ordering without Option 15. Requires Option 12, Option 27, and Option 45 when ordering with Option 15.
MG362x1A-0011	Rack Mount without Slides (Shelf Mount)
MG362x1A-0012	Amplitude, Frequency and Phase Modulation, Internal/External — Requires Option 27
MG362x1A-0013	Ultra Low Phase Noise — Requires Option 3
MG362x1A-0015	High Power Output — Cannot be ordered with Option 26. Choose Option 45 when ordering with Option 26.
MG362x1A-0016	Analog Power Sweep
MG362x1A-0017	Delete Front Panel — Requires Option 1 or 11. Cannot be ordered with Option 29.
MG362x1A-0018	On-site User Level Calibration — Requires 2000-2166-R accessory kit and MA243x0A USB Power Sensor, sold separately
MG362x1A-0023	Premium Phase Noise, CW — Requires Options 3 and 13. Available on model MG36221A only.
MG362x1A-0025	Pulse Train Modulation — Always requires Option 27. Also requires Option 26, or when ordered with Option 15, requires Option 45.
MG362x1A-0026	Pulse Modulation, Internal/External — Always requires Option 27. When ordered with Option 15, choose Option 45 instead of Option 26.
MG362x1A-0027	Modulation Hardware — Requires at least one of Option 12 and/or Option 26, or Option 45
MG362x1A-0029	Front Panel Modulation Input/Output Access — Always requires Option 27. Requires either Option 12 and/or Option 26. When ordered with Option 15 requires Option 45 and/or Option 12. Cannot order with Option 17.
MG362x1A-0030	600 ohms External AM/FM Input Impedance — Requires Option 12 and 27
MG362x1A-0033	Phase Noise, Export Option — Cannot be ordered with Options 3, 13, 23 or 56 for MG36221A. Cannot be ordered with Options 3, 13, or 56 for MG36241A or MG36271A.
MG362x1A-0037	Removable SDIO Memory
MG362x1A-0045	High Power Pulse Modulation — Requires Option 27. Cannot be ordered with Option 15 or Option 17.
MG362x1A-0056	Ultra Stability Time Base — Requires Option 3 or 13
MG362x1A-0066	GNSS Atomic Clock Receiver — Requires option 3 or 13
MG362x1A-0082	K(f) Connector
MG36241A-0082	K(f) Connector
MG362x1A-0097	Accredited Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate, test report, and uncertainty data
MG362x1A-0098	Standard Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate
MG362x1A-0099	Premium Calibration to ISO17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes calibration certificate, test report, and uncertainty data