R&S®SMM100A vector signal generator Redefining midrange

Key facts

• Frequency range from 100 kHz to 44 GHz
• Internal RF modulation bandwidth of up to 1 GHz
• Excellent modulation frequency response, EVM and ACPR
• 5G NR signal generation for FR1 and FR2
• Ready for future WLAN frequency and bandwidth requirements  

Midrange vector signal generator with mmWave testing capabilities

The R&S®SMM100A vector signal generator provides remarkably good RF characteristics across the entire frequency range from 100 kHz to 44 GHz. The instrument covers the bands below 6 GHz used by existing wireless
standards as well as the newly defined bands for 5G NR FR1 and Wi-Fi 6E up to 7.125 GHz and the 5G NR FR2 bands up to 44 GHz.
The internal baseband generator in the R&S®SMM100A supports a maximum RF modulation bandwidth of 1 GHz. Digitally modulated broadband signals can thus be generated as required by the prevalent wireless standards. The R&S®SMM100A is well prepared for future bandwidth requirements.

Excellent SSB phase noise and EVM performance

SSB phase noise of < –129 dBc is specified for an RF frequency of 1 GHz with a 20 kHz offset for the R&S®SMM100A vector signal generator. The typical value of –134 dBc is even 5 dB lower. In addition to excellent RF performance, it also has outstanding modulation characteristics at higher frequencies.

The impressive R&S®SMM100A EVM performance of < –42 dB (0.8 %) at an RF frequency of 28 GHz for a 100 MHz 5G NR signal is in line with 3GPP test model 3.1.

Extremely flat frequency response

The signal frequency response within the modulation bandwidth also has a major influence on achievable EVM performance.  Minimizing this parameter in magnitude and phase across the entire RF frequency range of the generator is essential. 

Intelligent compensation is available for the internal influences of the R&S®SMM100A on the frequency response. The R&S®SMM100A attains a measured magnitude frequency response of < 0.4 dB over the entire RF modulation bandwidth of 1 GHz.

Discover scalability

The basic configuration of the R&S®SMM100A supports a maximum RF modulation bandwidth of 120 MHz. Depending on requirements, bandwidth can be extended up to 1 GHz with a license key. With similar flexibility, the ARB memory can be extended from 64 Msample up to a maximum of 2 Gsample. 

The R&S®SMM100A also comes with various frequency options up to a maximum of 44 GHz. Users can precisely configure the R&S®SMM100A to meet actual requirements.

Discover usability

• Convenient operation with 8.4" touchscreen
• Structured and intuitive user interface presented in a block diagram
• Graphical signal monitoring in real time at different points within the overall signal flow path
• Automation made easy with context-sensitive help system and built-in SCPI macro recorder with code generator

Mobile communications standards

The R&S®SMM100A is well suited for generating signals that comply with the most important wireless communications standards and is an ideal signal generator for 5G NR base station conformance testing.

With the R&S®SMM-B1044 frequency option, it can cover 5G NR frequency ranges FR1 up to 7.125 GHz and FR2 up to 44 GHz. Together with the bandwidth extension to 1 GHz, it can handle the increased signal bandwidth requirements for 5G applications.

Ready for the next Wi-Fi generations

WLAN is also part of the trend towards higher frequencies and larger bandwidths. Wi-Fi 6E uses the frequency range between 5.8 GHz and 7.125 GHz. IEEE 802.11be already specifies a signal bandwidth of 320 MHz for future WLAN standards.

The R&S®SMM-B1007 frequency option up to 7.5 GHz and the R&S®SMM-K524 bandwidth extension to 500 MHz make the R&S®SMM100A an ideal signal  generator for WLAN testing of components, modules and devices.

High rate pulse (HRP) ultrawideband (UWB)

The R&S®SMM100A is ideal for HRP UWB receiver testing. The instrument covers the frequency range up to 10.6 GHz and with an RF modulation bandwidth of 500 MHz, signals can be generated on the most important channels.

The R&S®SMM-K149 HRP UWB baseband option supports signal generation for three specified modes: HRP UWB from IEEE 802.15.4a-2015 as well as the BPRF mode and the HPRF mode for enhanced ranging devices (ERDEF) from IEEE 802.15.4z.