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Saelig Company, Inc., has introduced the Boonton SGX1000 RF Signal Generators: a new series of instruments that combine high performance RF signal generation capabilities with an intuitive user interface. They cover a frequency range from 10 MHz to 18 GHz to provide superior operational performance such as extremely fast frequency switching, phase noise figures as low as -123 dBc/Hz (3G Hz with 10 kHz offset), and ultra-low 55fs jitter.
Boonton’s proprietary design (combining direct digital and direct analog synthesis) has resulted in an RF source with ultra-fine frequency resolution, extremely fast frequency switching, ultra-low phase noise and jitter, and superior reliability.
The SGX1003 (3 GHz), the SGX1006 (6.7 GHz), and the SGX1018 (18 GHz) all utilize a unique non-PLL (phase locked loop) design with a digital front-end, and a direct proprietary back-end that provides superior CW and sweep capabilities.
The SGX1000 series is built on the latest Boonton instrument platform which offers an easy-to-use modern interface in a compact form factor (3.5” x 8.3” x 11.2”; 7 lb) and is optionally rack-mountable.
The intuitive, multi-touch display enables easy parameter access and configuration for performing frequency and/or power sweeps, as well as adjustments to amplitude, frequency, phase, and pulse modulation settings. These all help the instrument to address a wide variety of RF test requirements.
Features include:
The SGX1000 series represents the first product example that combines the technology of Boonton and its recently acquired RF manufacturer Holzworth Instrumentation to deliver advanced RF products.
Saelig has also recently introduced the NanoRanger® NR-01: an affordable, highly accurate 3.5 digit DC ammeter designed for accurately measuring very low currents. With automatic dynamic ranging (nine ranges across 8.5 decades), the NanoRanger measures currents from 1 nA up to 800 mA with a maximum resolution of 10 pA.
Each instrument is supplied factory calibrated, eliminating the requirement for high-cost precision components in the design, and thus keeping the purchase price low. The current is measured with a 12-bit ADC which is oversampled and automatically averaged to produce a 16-bit result. Samples are taken every 170 uS. Readings are shown every 300 mS, built up from 180 averaged samples to eliminate line noise (both 50 Hz and 60 Hz). An alternative ‘Fast Sample’ mode can sample at 150 measurements per second.
The backlit 11-digit 128x64 LCD display provides a wealth of information for current readings; for instance, mA, uA, nA, and pA are all on one line. A Running Average reading (current and time elapsed) allows the user to measure power consumption of specific events, such as radio transmissions.
The Range Coverage Bar shows the ranges covered during the measurement; it can be ‘bracketed’ or limited to just one range. A signal-to-noise ratio display shows how much noise, or AC, is present on the current signal. Minimum and maximum ranges can be adjusted to limit the auto-ranging, or fixed at a single range.
Challenges arise when trying to measure the power consumption of low power circuits operating in offline or standby mode. Typically, current consumption falls into the nA or pA ranges that are beyond the capability of most DMMs, but the NanoRanger measures accurately into these ranges. A 6.5 digit DMM with 1nA resolution may only have a lowest range of 2.000000 mA, and the absolute accuracy may only be ± 500 nA. The NanoRanger has selectable ranges for every decade of measurement.
NanoRanger is designed with a fully isolated USB interface for device control and data export. Being fully isolated means that a USB connection will not adversely affect the measurements. Features include:
As engineers strive for more efficiency from new and existing products, the measurement of current consumption of devices is becoming more critical.
One of the challenges in working with low power analog and digital circuits is the problem of burden voltage; the voltage drop caused by current flowing through a current measuring device that uses an internal shunt resistor network, common in most DMMs. The NanoRanger has been designed specifically to minimize burden voltage to less than 50 mV when taking low power current measurements
A large burden voltage can affect the circuit being measured, corrupting the measurement. For this reason, it’s desirable for burden voltage to be kept as low as possible.
For more information, contact:
Saelig Company
www.saelig.com
B&K Precision announces the addition of their latest entry-level oscilloscope. The 2194 provides the advantage of a high bandwidth oscilloscope bundled with the latest features at a low price point.
This model delivers 100 MHz bandwidth in a four-channel configuration with a maximum sampling rate of 1GSa/s and a maximum memory depth of 14 Mpts. In addition, the 2194 includes features that users have come to expect from today’s oscilloscopes such as segmented acquisition, FFT operation, and serial bus decoding support for I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and LIN protocols.
The front panel houses a 7” widescreen display with 800 x 480 resolution and a waveform update rate of 100,000 waveforms per second for capturing infrequent glitches with excellent signal fidelity. On the back, LAN and USBTMC-compliant device ports are provided for remote PC connectivity.
Available for $659, the 2194 DSO is the ideal tool for educational settings and hobbyists.
For more information, contact:
B&K Precision
www.bkprecision.com
