Excellent Quality, Performance and Value: Hittite Introduces an Affordable Signal Generator
By Richard Houlihan, Hittite Microwave Corporation

Global economics ensures that the modern workplace is continually challenged to increase productivity and improve operational efficiencies within its organization. An integral contributor to operational efficiency comes in the form of capital equipment investments and how effective they are in maximizing return or delivering value to the firm. Assessing the value of an investment requires careful consideration of the functional application and its overall contribution to the organization as well as the acquisition cost compared to alternatives.

A review of available test and measurement equipment, or more specifically frequency generation devices such as synthesizers, yields a broad product choice, each sporting various levels of functionality. One noticeable trend is that despite the range of product offering, and the many competing suppliers, all options are generally expensive. Many users are often resigned to using elaborate equipment to perform very basic functions, with a significant portion never using more than a fraction of the unit’s true capability. In an effort to reintroduce value and address basic synthesizer needs, Hittite Microwave has introduced a new signal generation product solution, the HMC-T2000 (Figure 1). Built on a foundation of high performance, high quality Hittite MMICs, the HMC-T2000 is a synthesized signal generator that combines essential capabilities with the benefits of a low acquisition cost of $3,998. The HMC-T2000 operates over a broad frequency range from 700 to 8000MHz and delivers a high output power capability of +17dBm. The unit may also be controlled remotely via a USB port and graphical user interface (GUI) on a personal computer.

With an operating frequency range of 700 to 8000 MHz, the HMC-T2000 covers all major communication bands with a frequency resolution of 1MHz and a fast switching speed of 200us at 100MHz steps. The HMC-T2000 is especially suited for CW frequency testing but can easily be programmed for swept frequency screening.

The high output power of +17dBm (0.5dB step resolution) allows the user the luxury of simplifying their test configurations, particularly in cases where interstage buffer amplifiers are required. The output power is conveniently leveled across certain frequency bands to ensure a consistent amplitude as one navigates through frequency bands of interest. However, the user may access the total maximum output, approximately +20dBm, if desired. Figure 2 displays the unleveled output power capability of the HMC-T2000 over the entire frequency range.

One important measure of spectral purity is the generator’s ability to limit harmonic generation. Self generated harmonic and spurious products typically manifest themselves over the entire frequency range outside the frequency of interest. Left unchecked, they can play a significant role in reducing the overall dynamic range of the entire measurement system and hence, limit the measurement of the device under test. Expensive filter products are sometimes required to attenuate unwanted products, but ultimately low generation at the source is the preferred option.

The harmonic rejection of the HMC-T2000 is -32dBc and -37dBc at 1GHz and 8GHz, respectively, and the spurious products are less than -42 dBc across the entire band. A chart of harmonic and spurious performance for the HMC-T2000 over the entire frequency range is shown in Figure 3. Typical phase noise performance is -83dBc/Hz @ 100kHz offset from a 4GHz center frequency with insignificant deviation over the temperature range 0 to +35°C.

This versatile signal generator also features a USB interface and innovative control software, ensuring a carefree integration within multiple test environments. An installation disk that accompanies each unit includes all the drivers required to remotely control the device as well as a user friendly, lab-windows based, GUI that is compatible with a Windows XP and Vista operating systems.

An example of the GUI is shown in Figure 4. User control is facilitated via pull down menus that allow programming of single or swept modes in frequency or power. Manual control can be accessed via a dual function rotary dial, located on the front panel, that provides the user a push function for menu selection and a turn dial to set the desired value.

Integration of multiple units within a production test environment is easy, affordable and repeatable due to the incorporation of integer mode architecture and the synthesizer’s ability to maintain phase coherence between frequency steps.

The HMC-T2000 redefines value by offering essential functionality and solid performance for the lowest cost. This lightweight compact unit has been carefully designed with mobility and functionality in mind by providing the user the necessary attributes and seamless integration features that suit today’s test environment. Weighing only 3.5lbs, and on average 8 times smaller than similar units, this generator shrinks RF test stands and is priced to justify dedicated assignment.

This signal generator incorporates over 23 years of Hittite’s market leading MMIC technology and innovative design. Built on this foundation of high quality MMICs and scalable platform architecture, Hittite has the ability to offer new features and performance to suit the user’s measurement needs. Our expert design team is ready to discuss your requirements and help you achieve your testing goals.

Hittite is continually expanding its product portfolio and designers can choose from more than 660 standard integrated circuit, module and instrumentation products across 18 product lines: amplifiers, attenuators, data converters, frequency dividers and detectors, frequency multipliers, high speed logic, interface ICs, mixers and converters, modulators and demodulators, oscillators, passives, phase shifters, PLLs, power detectors, sensors, switches, synthesizers and VGAs. Released datasheets for all Hittite products, including the HMC-T2000 synthesizer, can be found at our website.

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978-250-3343, ext. 1117
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Hittite Microwave Corporation
www.hittite.com
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