7 USB Signal Generators You Should Know About

100 MHz to 2.5 GHz Vector Signal Generator

The VSG25A is a 100 MHz to 2.5 GHz computer controlled vector signal generator, with a 12-bit I/Q baseband arbitrary waveform generator which can be clocked at virtually any frequency from 54 kHz to 180 MHz, and includes a 4096×16 bit pattern buffer for built-in or custom modulation.click here to see products specs

Continuous wave USB Signal Generator from 25 MHz to 6 GHz

The RSS-6000 is a continuous wave USB Signal Generator from Spartant that operates from 25 MHz to 6 GHz. It can generate a signal with power that ranges from -27 to 10 dBm that has a phase noise of -106 dBc/Hz @100 kHz @ 250-1000 MHz. This signal generator is extremely compact, about the size of a deck of cards, measuring 0.90” H x 2.82” W x 4.04” D. Click here to see products specs.

RF Field Strength Generator from 30 MHz to 3 GHz

The OFG 30300 from Aaronia AG is an RF Field Strength Generator that operates from 30 MHz to 3 GHz. This is the ideal RF test station or test transmitter for EMC measurements or the assessment of shielding effects (eg shielded rooms or Screen chambers). The generator has a dynamic range up to 63 dB with a power level up to +18 dBm and has on-board CPU and memory for intelligent self-running profiles. It can be operated from 12V Car and Truck power system and measures 350 x 160 x 140 mm. The generator is available with easy to use software for Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems. Click here to see products specs.

USB Controlled RF Signal Source from 1 Hz to 100 MHz

The TDDS100-48 from Telemakus is a USB-stick-sized direct digital synthesized RF signal source that operates from 1 Hz to 100 MHz. It has a 0 dBm output and can be swept in steps as low as 1 Hz between any two frequencies in its specified range. It has a phase noise of -140 dBc at 100 kHz and second and third harmonics under -60 dBc at 10 MHz. The USB-controlled source has a 0.5 GB of flash memory which stores its installation files, test data and supporting documentation. It is available with SMA female connectors. Click here to see products specs.

54 MHz to 13.6 GHz USB Signal Generator (Dual Channel)

The SynthHD from Windfreak Technologies is a dual channel software tunable RF Signal Generator and frequency sweeper that operates from 54 MHz to 13.6 GHz. It is controlled and powered by a device running Windows or Android via USB port. The generator has two independent channels can be configured to run as two different frequencies, or the same frequency with different phases. It can generate signals with an output power from -50 to 18 dBm. The SynthHD has non-volatile on board memory and can be programmed to fire up by itself on any frequency, power, sweep and modulation setting to run stand alone in the field. Click here to see products specs.

USB/Ethernet Controlled Miniature Signal Generators

The ASG Series of Miniature Signal Generators from AtlanTecRF operate from 25 MHz to 6 GHz. They are tuneable in 1 kHz steps and can generate an output power of up to 13 dBm, controllable in 0.1 dB steps. The output signal from these modules have excellent spectral purity with a phase noise better than -106 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz with a 100 kHz offset from the carrier. Spurious are typically lower than -70dBc and harmonics less than -25dBc.

The versatile ASG digital interface provides control options which include direct USB with convenient and clearly functional GUI plus input power derivation but each unit also has the capability of being driven by RS232. Additionally, for both the 6GHz version of the ASG Miniature Signal Generator and its 3 GHz sibling there is an option of Ethernet control thereby allowing totally remote and unattended operation in the field and picking up all the logistics and cost advantages.

The ASG series of Miniature Signal Generators suitable for use in most RF application including test and measurement, communications systems and covert interception and countermeasures. The generators available in a compact module that measure just 21 x 72 x 100 mm and weigh less than 300 grams. Click here to see products specs.

20 MHz to 6 GHz Programmable Signal Generators

The Lab Brick LSG Series from Vaunix is a range of USB-compatible signal generators that operate from 20 MHz to 6 GHz. They can be used in Automated Test Equipment (ATE), portable LO source and engineering/production test lab applications. The generators have high output levels and excellent spectral purity. They are powered and controlled via USB and require no additional DC supply voltage. They offer several operating modes, including continuous-wave (CW) and swept-frequency. Each device comes with a USB flash drive containing the GUI software and digital version of the programming guide, along with a 6-ft. USB cable. All Lab Brick LSG signal generators are ROHS compliant and can be used with any PC or laptop computer with USB 2.0 port (or powered USB hub) and Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating system. They measures 4.90 x 3.14 x 1.59 in. (124 x 80 x 40 mm) and weigh less than 1 lb. (0.45 kg). Click here to see products specs.