Anritsu Partners with VDI to Introduce Frequency Extender Modules to Bring Best-in-Class Performance to Sub-THz Applications
Anritsu Company introduces frequency extender modules for its Rubidium™ line of signal generators, in partnership with Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VDI). Covering 50 GHz to 1100 GHz, the modules complement Rubidium’s best-in-class performance by providing the industry’s broadest frequency coverage and best output power to create a sub-THz signal generator solution for emerging scientific, wireless communications systems and body and material scanner applications.
Rubidium outperforms all other signal generators in its class in phase noise and harmonic/spurious by a substantial margin. The performance advantages are preserved at sub-THz frequencies.
The integrated solution brings significant signal purity and output power benefits to sub-THz design environments.
Engineers realize the industry’s highest output power at THz frequencies when the VDI frequency extender modules are used with Rubidium signal generators. The VDI modules offer high test port power, voltage-controlled RF attenuation, and TTL-controlled ON/OFF modulation rates to a few kHz as standard.
Each frequency extender module has two multipliers, which can be configured to allow input signals in two frequency bands. One multiplier has low-frequency input for < 20 GHz and ten dBm input level, and the other has high-frequency input for < 50 GHz and 0 dBm input level.
The Rubidium-VDI signal generation solution meets the growing demand for emerging sub-THz radio spectrum designs. It can be used to develop satellite services, radio astronomy, earth exploration, and meteorology applications. Wireless communication systems focusing on the W band (90 GHz to 120 GHz) and D band (130 GHz to 170 GHz) and inter-satellite links operating at 220 GHz to 330 GHz are also applications for which the solution is designed.
“VDI strives to produce the highest quality test and measurement solutions for the mmWave, sub-THz, and THz frequency ranges through frequency extension of existing microwave test infrastructure. Achieving this requires continual innovation and development to integrate leading-edge active devices with our in-house Schottky diode technology to meet tomorrow’s measurement challenges,” said Cliff Rowland, V.P. Business Development, VDI. “VDI is excited to work with Anritsu to combine our high-frequency SGX extension modules with its new signal generation capability to bring high-performance solutions to the market.”
Rubidium Delivers New Level of Performance
The Rubidium signal generator family delivers outstanding signal purity and frequency stability, even at high output power levels, across a broad frequency range of 9 kHz to 43.5 GHz. Rubidium has a built-in, easy-to-use, at-location frequency and power calibration capability. It offers exceptional utility and long-term value in various commercial, scientific, and military/aerospace measurement applications.
Rubidium offers an order of magnitude with better frequency stability than other signal generators using an OCXO-based reference. The signal generators offer groundbreaking low single sideband (SSB) phase noise of -136 dBc/Hz (typical) and -140 dBc/Hz (measured) at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset that is unmatched in the industry. Coupled with best-in-class harmonic and spurious performance, Rubidium signal generators enable customers to make highly accurate measurements.