Micro Lambda Wireless Introduces New Low Noise Frequency Synthesizers

Fremont, CA -- Micro Lambda Wireless has introduced a new low noise frequency synthesizer that, the company claims, rivals the best lab-grade test instrumentation on the market. Covering the frequency ranges of 2 to 20 GHz and 1 to 22 GHz, the synthesizers are easily controlled by a standard PC or by a lab-top computer through the parallel port using a 5-wire serial command structure. (Click here to download the product datasheet.)

The frequency step size of these units is 1 Hz or controlled by the user to obtain the necessary step size required by a systems architecture. The synthesizers provide an absolute frequency accuracy of ½ Hz.

Power output across the full frequency range of 2 to 20 GHz of 20 dBm minimum and across 1 to 22 GHz of 17 dBm minimum is provided. Power output leveling is available as a standard option providing for /-20 dBm around a 0 dBm output level.

The standard units utilize an external 10 MHz reference inputted by the user, but optional 5 to 100 MHz external references can also be specified.

Other options include:

• A 2nd LO output in the 500 to 4000 MHz frequency range, effectively giving the user an additional synthesized output, tunable in 100 kHz steps,
  
• An additional RF output covering the 4 to 11 GHz tunable low noise frequency range with a 10 dBm RF output level, and
  
• An auxiliary input port to run an additional 2 to 20 GHz signal through the unit and switched to the main output RF connector.

The unit's ability to continuously cover the entire wide band range while providing outstanding phase noise performance makes these new synthesizers ideal for laboratory equipment sources, local oscillators in receivers, frequency converters, and general applications. Typical phase noise performance is -104 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz offset and -111 dBc/Hz@ 100 kHz offset on a 20 GHz carrier.

Spurious performance is -60 dBc with tuning speed times of between 10 and 18 mSec, depending on step size.

This series of synthesizers utilize a microcontroller with non-volatile memory and up to 1,000 preset frequency commands.

The design of this new synthesizer is based on Micro Lambda's wideband MLSW Series
synthesizer feeding a channelized doubler/divider module to obtain the final output spectrum. This yields a small compact size given the wide frequency coverage provided. The units measure 7" by 5" by 2", excluding connectors, and weigh 3.5 lbs.

Source: Micro Lambda Wireless