Cost-Effective Frequency Synthesizers Meet High Performance Demand
By EM Research, Inc.

Design engineers across the microwave industry are searching for signal source designs to satisfy both performance and price goals. EM Research has introduced a family of frequency synthesizers satisfying both with exceptional performance targeted at the high-volume, low-cost market. Sacrificing performance for the right price is no longer a mainstay in signal control design. In addition, EM Research provides a custom design process, allowing customers to tailor individual products to fit their needs. Since 1991, EM Research has been designing and manufacturing some of the most advanced frequency synthesizers and phase-locked oscillators in the microwave industry. The company has an extensive library of fixed-frequency and serially-programmable designs covering the frequency range of 4 MHz to 18 GHz.

EM Research is releasing new products that are setting the standard in high performance design within the microwave industry. The company is generating some of the smallest, fully-customizable products tailored to price sensitive markets. Design engineers, especially in the military markets, now have COTS devices available to meet or exceed their performance requirements. The focus of EM Research is to produce high quality products with low noise, fast switching, small size, and best overall performance. No other company is setting the standard quite like EM Research.

Performance and Price Become Standard
EM Research, Inc., announces the introduction of its cost-effective CLX-Series of high-performance, fixed-frequency, miniature phase-locked oscillators. Designed to cover the frequency range of 200 MHz to 4 GHz, the CLX-Series is an internally-programmed, high-Q ceramic resonator-based oscillator, housed in a 0.75-inch square x 0.25-inch (19 x 19 x 6.5 mm) surface-mount package. The product features optimized loop bandwidth for exceptionally low phase noise, resulting in overall low RMS noise.

With a 50 MHz external frequency reference, the typical phase noise characteristics of the CLX-Series, at 4 GHz output frequency, are -97 dBc/Hz at 10 KHz offset and -120 dBc/Hz at 100 KHz offset. At 275 MHz output frequency, the CLX-Series exhibits typical phase noise of -122 dBc/Hz at 10 KHz offset and -142 dBc/Hz at 100 KHz offset.

The CLX utilizes an external frequency reference from 5 to 250 MHz, operates at +3 or +5 VDC, and features internal buffer amplifiers for output powers optional from +7 dBm to +13 dBm at 50-Ohms output impedance. Standard operating temperature range is -30ºC to +70ºC,
(-40ºC to +85ºC optional). The CLX-Series is ideally suited for use as fixed-frequency local oscillators for high-level mixers in satellite communications up/down converters, microwave point-to-point radios and as PLDRO replacements. With their exceptionally low phase noise characteristics, the CRO-based phase-locked oscillators are excellent replacements for SAW oscillators. The CLX-Series can be supplied as RoHS-compliant.

Fast Switching Synthesizer, Less than 1 Microsecond
Another breakthrough from EM Research is their ultra-fast switching synthesizer targeted at programmable test sources with narrow-band applications. The FST-Series frequency synthesizer has switch speeds of less than 1 microsecond, with less than 1 microsecond delay.

This cost-effective, narrowband programmable source is available in custom bands from 100 MHz to 6600 MHz and with step sizes down to 1 KHz. FST units offer low power consumption and low phase noise characteristics (-115 dBc/Hz @ 100 KHz), phase coherent switching, and parallel binary frequency control. FST units operate over the temperature range of -30°C to +70°C with a typical supply voltage of +5VDC @ 600 mA typical. Housed in a package size 3.5in x 2.5in x 0.6in, the FST is ideal for narrow to wideband digital synthesizers, programmed test sources, fast switching receivers, and other communications equipment.

Connectorized Version Synthesizers Provide Complete Package
The PLXO-Series (phase-locked crystal oscillator) and SLFS/SLS-Series (fixed-frequency and serially-programmable frequency synthesizer) are offered in a connectorized package for convenience in signal source design. Connectorized versions are housed in a 1.5in x 1.5in x 0.6in package with female SMA connectors, capacitive feed-thru connectors for DC and serial-programming ports. For phase-locking, the standard units utilize a customer-supplied frequency reference, or optional internal reference. This product is ideal for bench-top testing, prototyping, and breadboarding.

The PLXO-Series phase-locked crystal oscillator is available at fixed-frequencies from 5 to 420 MHz with a ±5ppm lock range, with optional internal reference. Typical phase noise for the PLXO is <-110 dBC/Hz @ 100 Hz and <-135 dBc/Hz @1 KHz (70 MHz output).
The SLFS/SLS-Series multi-purpose synthesizer offers fixed-frequency or serially-programmable versions with 2 to 200 MHz external or optional internal reference. The SLFS/SLS is optional with 3-wire, RS-232 or USB serial interface over a frequency range of 50 MHz to 12 GHz and in bandwidths up to 30%. The units come in step sizes from 10 KHz to 10 MHz, feature typical phase noise characteristics of <-100 dBc/Hz @ 10 KHz and operate off supply voltages of +5, +8, or +12 VDC.

For more information regarding the CLX, FST, PLXO, SLFS/SLS Series or other products from EM Research, Inc., please visit our website, click below.

EM RESEARCH
www.emresearch.com
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