AS108 PICO | Alldatasheet
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Technical content
8 GHz Agile Synthesizer
300 kHz to 8 GHz operation −15 dBm to +15 dBm dynamic range Fast 55 μs frequency settling time to 10 ppm Fast amplitude settling: < 25 μs to 1 dB and < 200 μs to 0.1 dB Sweep, hop and list frequency and level or list phase and level −100 dBc/Hz phase noise typical at 1 GHz and 10 kHz offset FM, PM and AM modulation, internal sine or external input Configurable stand-alone operation mode External reference clock I/O and trigger I/O Compact, portable and 12 to 15 V DC powered Use sweep lists to emulate schemes such as QPSK, QAM, ASK, FSK Adjustable dwell and trigger sweep or trigger next point modes Work in and convert units of measure to suit application Programming examples for LabVIEW, C, C#, Python, MATLAB Suited to bench, field and system integration applications USB-controlled from Windows PC and display or tablet Touch, mouse, keyboard or remote interface software (API included) Multi-unit operation with synchronized modulation, sweeps, hops and lists Professional and portable performance at low cost www.picotech.com
The PicoSource™ AS108 Agile Synthesizer generates signals to meet the needs of both benchtop and integrated module applications. Its broad 300 kHz to
8 GHz frequency range, fast settling and
programmable phase, frequency and amplitude match it to a wide range of applications, with the added advantages of low cost, small footprint and 12 to 15 V power requirement. The AS108 has professional-grade performance that is effective in both static and parameter- agile applications, making it a bench or field instrument for developers, scientists, educators, students, and service and installation technicians. Its speed, external clock referencing, trigger capabilities and user programmable power-up mode all suit it to system integrations such as automated test, unmanned installations and multi-signal stimulus. The AS108 is a full-function USB controlled vector (IQ) modulating signal synthesizer. It is supplied with a clean, easy and efficient user interface for controlling its amplitude, frequency and phase agility; including modulations, sweeps, hopping and list modes from Microsoft Windows. Multiple synthesizers can be controlled from multiple instances of the software running on a single controlling PC or device. Remote control is also possible using the API included. The PicoSynth 2 software presents a clean, efficient, touchscreen-compatible user interface for direct and convenient access to synthesis parameters. These can be typed, scrolled or stepped by a configurable increment value, in a selectable unit of measure such as dBm, mW, V RMS, V pk-pk or degrees & radians. Its flexibility matches or exceeds that of the traditional control panel of a benchtop synthesizer. The controls are presented in three independent parameter tabs, each of which holds separate settings for convenient switching of functionality:
- Carrier wave and basic modulations
- Sweep or hopping of parameters
- Arbitrary list of parameters Product overview – PicoSource AS108 Agile Synthesizer PicoSynth 2 software
Set carrier wave frequency, level and phase using typed values or scrolled digits, or by stepping by an increment of your choice, and then enable the output. When required add frequency (FM), phase (ØM or PM) or amplitude (AM) modulation using internal sine modulation synthesis or an external DC-coupled source connected to the front-panel BNC interface. Modulations are derived from digital IQ modulation and the external trigger output (rear-panel BNC) is synchronous with the internal modulation source. Carrier wave and basic modulations Three independent parameter tabs Fast and convenient switching between CW, sweep/hop and list modes. Internal modulation source parameters Frequency and depth Typed entry of parameters With relevant standard multipliers Selectable units of measure Work in or convert to your chosen units of measure Carrier wave control parameters Type values, scroll digits or step by selected amount Modulation controls Type, source and enable
Set up sweeps and hops between two parameter values: start of sweep and end of sweep (stop). Either can be the higher value. Set the number of points in a sweep (between 2 and 10,001 points). The dwell time then defines a duration for which each point in the sweep will be output. PicoSynth calculates and displays the duration of the whole sweep and the linear step size between each point. A bidirectional sweep will sweep from the start to stop and back to start in completing a single sweep of the parameter. A hop is a limited case of sweep in which there are only two parameter values that are alternately output. The AS108 can sweep or hop the frequency, level or phase parameter. It can also sweep or hop two parameters at the same time: frequency and level, or phase and level. This allows, for instance, a simple linear flatness or loss-compensating profile to be applied to a sweep or hop, perhaps increasing output level as frequency increases. The example shown applies a 5 dBm increase in level as the frequency sweeps from 1 GHz to 2 GHz. Sweeps and hops can be synchronized to external events and instruments using the external trigger input and output (rear panel BNCs) or software trigger. Trigger occurs at, or initiates, a sweep start or next point in sweep. This synchronization flexibility can be of particular value to high-speed system sequencing in, for example, high-speed test. Sweep or hop parameters Select sweep or hop mode and type Single and dual parameter Frequency start and stop values Level start and stop values Set number of sweep points and the dwell period between them Resulting step sizes and sweep duration Synchronize the sweep to a trigger Internal clock, external input or software trigger sources. Trigger a sweep or trigger next point in sweep.
Parameter step increment values and the saving and recall of user settings are addressed under the Settings tab. You can also save to the device a modified or custom power-up setting, allowing the signal source to power up in a known state without further connection or control over USB. Save, recall and other settingsArbitrary parameter list Import a parameter list file to generate an arbitrary sequence of frequency/ level or phase/level points. The file is in a straightforward comma-separated values (CSV) format that you can create using any text editor or export from a spreadsheet program. PicoSynth 2 shows a summary of the file contents to help you verify that you have selected the correct file. You can program the dwell time (time between points) and trigger mode. Trigger mode Internal: run continuously with the specified dwell time. External Start: run the whole file, with the specified dwell time, after each trigger event. External Step: generate one point for each trigger event (ignoring dwell time setting). Frequency step size Used by frequency up/down controls Level step size Used by level up/down controls Phase step size Used by phase up/down controls
The PicoSource AS108 is supplied with a DLL that allows you to control the device from C and C-compatible languages and applications such as C++, C#, Python, Keysight VEE, National Instruments LabVIEW and MathWorks MATLAB. See the PicoSource AS108 Programmer’s Guide for details. The “User Interface Demo” device is always available in this list and allows PicoSynth 2 to run for demonstration purposes without a connected device. You can use this mode to try out the software before buying a device. The software is available for download and trial at www.picotech.com. You can control multiple AS108 signal synthesizers from a single PC by running multiple instances of the PicoSynth 2 software. Each time you start a new instance of PicoSynth 2, it will list all compatible connected devices that are not yet being controlled. You can then select any device in the list for connection. Remote control operation Demonstration mode Multiple device operation Pack contents Your PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer pack contains the following items: PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer Quick start guide Inter-series adaptor 18 GHz 50 Ω SMA(f)–N(m) PicoWrench RF combination wrench
12 V power supply, universal input
USB cable, 1.8 m Carry case
Standard conditions are ambient temperature of between 15°C and 30°C, 20 minutes after power-up. Carrier wave Frequency range 300 kHz to 8.192 GHz Frequency resolution 300 kHz to 125 MHz 1 Hz > 125 MHz to 4 GHz 10 Hz > 4 GHz 20 Hz Frequency settling time to ±10 ppm 55 μs maximum 50 μs typical Frequency accuracy (internal reference) ±5 ppm Output power range −15 dBm to +15 dBm Output power resolution 0.1 dBm Output power setting accuracy ±1.5 dB Output match (VSWR) 1.8:1 maximum 1.4:1 typical Output amplitude settling time to ±1 dB 25 μs maximum to ±0.1 dB 200 μs maximum Output protection 25 V DC peak and 20 dBm Phase noise at 10 kHz offset
1 GHz −98 dBc/Hz maximum −100 dBc/Hz typical
2 GHz −94 dBc/Hz maximum −96 dBc/Hz typical
4 GHz −88 dBc/Hz maximum −90 dBc/Hz typical
8 GHz −83 dBc/Hz maximum −85 dBc/Hz typical
Measured phase noise at 1 GHz
Harmonics −20 dBc maximum −26 dBc typical Output power set to +10 dBm Sub-harmonics −40 dBc maximum −46 dBc typical Output power set to +10 dBm Spurious −50 dBc maximum −60 dBc typical Output power set to +10 dBm Sweep, hop and list modes Sweep, hop or list parameters Frequency, level, phase, frequency and level, phase and level Discrete sweep or list points 2 to 10 001 (or 2 to 1750 points when saving power-up settings to device) Hop is a special case of sweep with only two points. Frequency stepping dwell time 27 µs to 65 500 µs (or 27 µs to 1750 µs when saving power-up settings to device) Excepting any step exceeding ±2.2 GHz to or from the frequency band 7.0 GHz to 8.0 GHz, minimum dwell 100 µs. Modulation Frequency range internal sine source 10 Hz to 5 kHz Internal modulation sample rate 37 kS/s Sampled sideband spurs are generated at 37 kHz offset. At 1 kHz modulation typically < –30 dB relative to sidebands. Frequency resolution and accuracy 1 Hz resolution ± 0.1% accuracy AM depth range For carrier at 0 dBm 5% minimum 90% maximum 0 dBm to 9 dBm 5% minimum 50% maximum FM deviation 2% carrier frequency or 200 kHz maximum PM deviation ±180° External modulation input bandwidth DC coupled to 10 kHz External modulation input sampling AM: 125 kS/s. FM / PM: 89 kS/s at 12-bit resolution. Sampled sideband spurs are generated at 125 / 89 kHz offset. At 1 kHz modulation typically < –50 dB relative to sidebands. External modulation input sensitivity BNC(f) 600 Ω ±1 Vpk typical for selected depth or deviation External modulation input protection ±5 V DC + AC peak
Internal 10 MHz reference output BNC(f) 50 Ω −3 dBm minimum 0 dBm typical Into 50 Ω External reference input BNC(f) 50 Ω −6 dBm sensitivity 6 dBm maximum External reference lock range ±5 ppm Trigger input threshold voltage BNC(f) 1 kΩ 0.5 V minimum 2.6 V maximum Trigger output logic levels BNC(f) Low 0.5 V maximum High 3.6 V minimum Into 1 kΩ Low 0.2 V maximum High 1.2 V minimum Into 50 Ω Trigger output rise and fall times 40 ns maximum Into 50 Ω Trigger in to trigger out delay 0.5 ± 0.1 µs Gives a lead of 17.5 µs to frequency / phase step, 37.5 µs to a level step. Trigger out to triggered event delay 17.5 µs typical Frequency or phase step 37.5 µs typical Level step Note that dwell period holds off (prevents receipt of) a further trigger Miscellaneous and environmental specifications Power requirements +12 V to +15 V DC, 12 W, 2.1 mm jack, centre pin positive Control interface USB 2.0 Dimensions W 173 mm x L 232 mm x H 56 mm Excluding connectors Weight 1.78 kg Operating environment +5 °C to +40 °C, 80% RH non-condensing, Pollution Degree 2 Storage environment −20 °C to +50 °C, 80% RH non-condensing, Pollution Degree 2 Vibration 0.5 g, 5 Hz to 300 Hz Safety Declared conforming to: EN 61010-1:2010 and EN 61010-2-030:2010 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use, general requirements and for testing and measuring circuits. EMC Declared conforming to: EN 61326-1:2013 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - EMC requirements. Group 1, Class B. (Emissions) EN 61326-1:2013 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - EMC requirements. Basic Environment. (Immunity) EN 61326-2-1:2013 Part 2-1: Test configurations, operational conditions and performance criteria for sensitive test and measurement equipment for unprotected applications. CFR 47 Code of Federal Regulations FCC: part 15 Subpart B – Frequency devices – unintentional radiators. Radiated emissions standard. Class A. Warranty 3 years ECCN coding EAR99
Pico Technology is a registered trademark of Pico Technology Ltd. PicoSource is a trademark of Pico Technology Ltd. LabVIEW is a trademark of National Instruments Corporation. MATLAB is a registered trademark of The MathWorks, Inc. Windows and Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. MM072.en-6. Copyright © 2018–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. www.picotech.com @picotechnologyltd Pico Technology Pico Technology@LifeAtPico @picotech * Prices are correct at the time of publication. Sales taxes not included. Please contact Pico for the latest prices before ordering. More RF products from Pico... PicoVNA 100 Series 6 and 8.5 GHz vector network analyzers PicoConnect
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Ordering information
Order code Description USD* EUR* GBP* PQ163 PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer 6 465 5 495 4 535 TA314 Inter-series adaptor 50 Ω SMA(f)–N(m) 125 105 85 TA181 Attenuator 3 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f) 85 71 59 TA261 Attenuator 6 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f) 85 71 59 TA262 Attenuator 10 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f) 85 71 59 TA173 Attenuator 20 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f) 85 71 59 TA265 Precision sleeved coaxial cable 30 cm 1.3 dB at 13 GHz 73 62 51 TA312 Precision sleeved coaxial cable 60 cm 2.2 dB at 13 GHz 73 62 51 TA358 Dual-break torque wrench N-type 1 N·m / 8.85 in·lb 215 179 149 TA356 Dual-break torque wrench SMA / PC3.5 / K-type, 1 N·m / 8.85 in·lb 215 179 149 PicoScope 9000 Series
25 GHz
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