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.

Frequency coverage: 9 kHz to 20.0 GHz
Output connector: 2.92 mm K(m)
Frequency resolution: 0.001 Hz
Reference frequency accuracy: 1 x 10-8

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu Rubidium MG36221A is the 9 kHz to 20 GHz model of the MG362x1A RF/microwave signal generator family. It is designed for applications where signal purity determines measurement quality, including radar, transceiver, ADC/DAC and component testing. Low and ultra low phase noise options are available, alongside low harmonic and spurious levels.

Frequency stability can be raised to atomic clock level with an internal rubidium frequency reference option. Alternatively, the internal oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) reference can be calibrated against an external GNSS/GPS signal, which suits metrology and high-speed clock applications.

Modulation capabilities cover AM, FM/PM, pulse and pulse train. FM and pulse modulation can be applied simultaneously to generate waveforms such as chirps, and signal simulation functions for pulsed radar testing are built in. Analog frequency sweep is available on the MG36221A.

The front panel provides a 7-inch touch screen with keypad and rotary dial, and USB 3.0 ports for memory devices and Anritsu USB power sensors. Remote programming is supported through SCPI commands and IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers over Ethernet or GPIB.

Key Features

Frequency range 9 kHz to 20 GHz
Very low phase noise, close in and far out
SSB phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz output, 10 kHz offset
Atomic clock frequency stability with internal rubidium reference option
GNSS/GPS atomic clock receiver option for on-site frequency calibration
On-site user level calibration with Anritsu USB power sensors
Very low harmonic and spurious levels
AM, FM, PM, pulse and pulse train modulation
Simultaneous synchronized FM and pulse modulation for chirp generation
Quad pulse signal generation and pulse sweep for radar target simulation
Analog frequency sweep with up to 20 independent markers
Analog power sweep
Premium Phase Noise CW option with rear panel output (MG36221A only)
7-inch touch screen with keypad and rotary dial
IVI.NET and IVI-C drivers and SCPI support
Removable SDIO memory card slot

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency coverage	9 kHz to 20.0 GHz
Output connector	2.92 mm K(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
Reference frequency input/output	10 MHz, 100 MHz and 1.6 GHz

Internal Time Base

Aging rate per year Standard	< ±5 × 10–7 OCXO
Aging rate per year Option 3	< ±2 × 10–8 OCXO
Aging rate per year Option 56	< ±1 × 10–9 Rubidium
Temperature effects from 0 to 55 °C Standard	< ±3 × 10–7
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 (Allan deviation per 100 s) Option 56	< 8 × 10–12 After 2 hours warm up

Signal Purity

SSB phase noise	-136 dBc/Hz (typ) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) @ 10 GHz output, 10 kHz offset
Harmonics	-58 dBc
Sub-harmonics, 9 kHz to 20 GHz	-83
Non-harmonics, 31.25 MHz to 20 GHz	–70
Non-harmonics, 9 kHz to 31.25 MHz	–65
Residual FM at 10 GHz	0.93 Hz Standard, 0.05 to 15 kHz BW

Premium Phase Noise, CW (Option 23)

Rear panel output MG362x1A-0023	2 GHz to 20 GHz, unleveled, nominally +14 to +23 dBm Front panel RF output is disabled while the rear panel output is in use
Phase noise at 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset MG362x1A-0023	–140 Measured
Spurious MG362x1A-0023	< –70 dBc

Output Power

Output power range	-130 dBm to +20 dBm Standard output, with Option 2
Maximum leveled output power, 9 kHz to < 2 GHz	+20 +19 dBm with step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, ≥2 GHz to 10 GHz	+21 +20 dBm with step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power, > 10 GHz to 20 GHz	+20 +19 dBm with step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power with Option 15, ≥ 2 GHz to 10 GHz MG362x1A-0015	+30 +30 dBm with step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power with Option 15, > 10 GHz to 18 GHz MG362x1A-0015	+30 +28 dBm with step attenuator
Maximum leveled output power with Option 15, > 18 GHz to 20 GHz MG362x1A-0015	+28 +27 dBm with step attenuator
Level accuracy and flatness	± 1.4 dB
Minimum leveled output power without attenuator	–15 dBm
Minimum leveled output power with attenuator	–120 dBm
Step attenuator (Option 2) MG362x1A-0002	10 dB/step, 110 dB range
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

Modulation

Modulation types	AM, FM, PM, Pulse and Pulse Train
Pulse modulation: min pulse width	<50 ns (unleveled)
Pulse modulation: rise/fall times	5 ns (typical)
Pulse on/off ratio MG362x1A-0026	> 80 dB (70 dB for frequencies < 2 GHz)
LF signal generator waveforms	Sine, square, pulse, triangle, ramp, GN/UN noise

Sweep

Frequency sweep modes	Step, List, Analog Analog sweep requires Option 6
Frequency sweep width	9 kHz to full frequency range (step, list); 100 MHz to full frequency range (analog)
Analog sweep time range MG36221A-0006	30 ms to 99 s
Power sweep	Step, List, and Analog Analog power sweep requires Option 16
Power sweep resolution	0.01 dB/step

General

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
Calibration cycle	2 years from the date of shipment Recommended
Warranty	1 year from shipment date

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

Environmental

Storage temperature range	–40 °C to +75 °C MIL-PRF-28800F, class 3

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Avionics and aircraft manufacturing
Radar and electronics peacekeeping
Single tone distortion - P1dB compression point
Two tone intermodulation - IP2, IP3
In band and out of band interference (C/I, blocking)
Pulse modulated signal source for radar system testing
Pure CW source for LO substitution in transceiver testing
Clock and CW source for testing Gbit ADCs and DACs
Additional synchronized source for vector analyzer measurements
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
MG362x1A-0003	Low Phase Noise and High Stability — Required for Option 13
MG36221A-0006	Analog Sweep, Frequency
MG362x1A-0009	Rear Panel K(m) Connector RF Output
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
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
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