8 GHz Agile Synthesizer

Professional and portable performance at low cost
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

www.picotech.com

Product overview – PicoSource AS108 Agile Synthesizer
The PicoSource™ AS108 Agile Synthesizer
generates signals to meet the needs ofboth benchtop and integrated module
applications. Its broad 300 kHz to
8 GHz frequency range, fast settling andprogrammable phase, frequency andamplitude match it to a wide range ofapplications, with the added advantagesof low cost, small footprint and 12 to
15 V power requirement. The AS108 has
professional-grade performance that iseffective in both static and parameteragile applications, making it a bench or
field instrument for developers, scientists,educators, students, and service andinstallation 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 andefficient user interface for controlling its
amplitude, frequency and phase agility;
including modulations, sweeps, hopping
and list modes from Microsoft Windows.
Multiple synthesizers can be controlledfrom multiple instances of the software
running on a single controlling PC ordevice. Remote control is also possibleusing the API included.

PicoSynth 2 software
The PicoSynth 2 software presents aclean, efficient, touchscreen-compatibleuser interface for direct and convenient
access to synthesis parameters. Thesecan be typed, scrolled or stepped bya 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, eachof which holds separate settings forconvenient switching of functionality:•Carrier wave and basic modulations•Sweep or hopping of parameters•

Arbitrary list of parameters

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Carrier wave and basic modulations
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 thefront-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 control parameters
Type values, scroll digits or step byselected amountTyped entry of parameters
With relevant standard multipliers
Modulation controls
Type, source and enable

Internal modulation source parameters
Frequency and depth

Selectable units of measure
Work in or convert to your chosen unitsof measure

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Sweep or hop parameters
Set up sweeps and hops between two parameter values: start of sweep and end ofsweep (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 eachpoint 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 parametervalues 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 theexternal 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 beof particular value to high-speed system sequencing in, for example, high-speed test.

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 thedwell period between themResulting step sizes and sweep duration

Synchronize the sweep to a trigger
Internal clock, external input or software trigger sources.

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Save, recall and other settings

Arbitrary parameter list
Import a parameter list file to generate
an arbitrary sequence of frequency/
level or phase/level points. The file is in astraightforward 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 filecontents to help you verify that you haveselected the correct file. You can program
the dwell time (time between points) andtrigger mode.

Parameter step increment values andthe 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 thesignal source to power up in a known state
without further connection or control overUSB.

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

Trigger mode
Internal: run continuously with thespecified 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 (ignoringdwell time setting).

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Remote control operation

Pack contents

The PicoSource AS108 is supplied with a DLL that allows you to control the device fromC and C-compatible languages and applications such as C++, C#, Python, Keysight VEE,
National Instruments LabVIEW and MathWorks MATLAB.

Your PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer pack contains the following items:

See the PicoSource AS108 Programmer’s Guide for details.
PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer

Multiple device operation
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 ofPicoSynth 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.

Quick start guide

Demonstration mode

Inter-series adaptor 18 GHz 50 Ω SMA(f)–N(m)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.
PicoWrench RF combination wrench

12 V power supply, universal input

USB cable, 1.8 m

Carry case

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Specifications
GeneralStandard 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> 125 MHz to 4 GHz> 4 GHz

1 Hz
10 Hz
20 Hz

Frequency settling timeto ±10 ppm

55 μs maximum

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 timeto ±1 dB
to ±0.1 dB

25 μs maximum
200 μs maximum

Output protection

25 V DC peak and 20 dBm

Phase noise at 10 kHz offset

1 GHz
2 GHz
4 GHz
8 GHz

−98 dBc/Hz maximum−94 dBc/Hz maximum−88 dBc/Hz maximum−83 dBc/Hz maximum

50 μs typical−100 dBc/Hz typical−96 dBc/Hz typical−90 dBc/Hz typical−85 dBc/Hz typical

Measured phase noise at 1 GHz

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Harmonics
Sub-harmonics
Spurious−20 dBc maximum−40 dBc maximum−50 dBc maximum−26 dBc typical−46 dBc typical−60 dBc typical

Output power set to +10 dBm
Output power set to +10 dBm
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.

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.

Frequency stepping dwell time
Modulation
Frequency range internal sine source

10 Hz to 5 kHz

Internal modulation sample rate

37 kS/sFrequency resolution and accuracy

1 Hz resolution ± 0.1% accuracy
For carrier at 0 dBm
5% minimum
0 dBm to 9 dBm
5% minimum
2% carrier frequency or 200 kHz maximum±180°
DC coupled to 10 kHz

AM depth range
FM deviation
PM deviation
External modulation input bandwidth

Sampled sideband spurs are
generated at 37 kHz offset.
At 1 kHz modulation typically< –30 dB relative to sidebands.
90% maximum
50% maximum

External modulation input sampling

AM: 125 kS/s. FM / PM: 89 kS/s at 12-bit resolution.

External modulation input sensitivity
External modulation input protection

BNC(f) 600 Ω ±1 Vpk typical±5 V DC + AC peakSampled sideband spurs aregenerated at 125 / 89 kHz offset.
At 1 kHz modulation typically< –50 dB relative to sidebands.
for selected depth or deviation

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Synchronization I/OInternal 10 MHz reference output
External reference input
External reference lock range
Trigger input threshold voltage
Trigger output logic levels

BNC(f) 50 Ω
BNC(f) 50 Ω
±5 ppmBNC(f) 1 kΩBNC(f)−3 dBm minimum−6 dBm sensitivity

0 dBm typical
6 dBm maximum

0.5 V minimum
Low 0.5 V maximum
Low 0.2 V maximum

2.6 V maximum
High 3.6 V minimumHigh 1.2 V minimum

Trigger output rise and fall times

40 ns maximum

Trigger in to trigger out delay

0.5 ± 0.1 µs

Trigger out to triggered event delay

17.5 µs typical
37.5 µs typical
Note that dwell period holds off (prevents receipt of) a further trigger

Into 50 ΩInto 1 kΩ
Into 50 ΩInto 50 Ω
Gives a lead of 17.5 µs tofrequency / phase step, 37.5 µs toa level step.
Frequency or phase step
Level step

Miscellaneous and environmental specifications
Power requirements
Control interface
Dimensions
WeightOperating environment
Storage environment
Vibration
SafetyEMC

Warranty
ECCN coding+12 V to +15 V DC, 12 W, 2.1 mm jack, centre pin positive
USB 2.0W 173 mm x L 232 mm x H 56 mm
Excluding connectors
1.78 kg+5 °C to +40 °C, 80% RH non-condensing, Pollution Degree 2−20 °C to +50 °C, 80% RH non-condensing, Pollution Degree 20.5 g, 5 Hz to 300 Hz
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 andmeasuring circuits.
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.
3 years
EAR99

PicoSource® AS108 Agile Synthesizer

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Ordering information
Order code

Description

PQ163

PicoSource AS108 8 GHz Agile Synthesizer

TA314Inter-series adaptor 50 Ω SMA(f)–N(m)TA181

Attenuator 3 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f)

TA261

Attenuator 6 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f)

TA262

Attenuator 10 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f)

TA173

Attenuator 20 dB 10 GHz 50 Ω SMA(m–f)

TA265

Precision sleeved coaxial cable 30 cm 1.3 dB at 13 GHz

TA312

Precision sleeved coaxial cable 60 cm 2.2 dB at 13 GHz

TA358

Dual-break torque wrench N-type 1 N·m / 8.85 in·lb

TA356

Dual-break torque wrench SMA / PC3.5 / K-type, 1 N·m / 8.85 in·lb

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sales@picotech.com
+1 800 591 2796
sales@picotech.com

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pico.asia-pacific@picotech.com* Prices correct at the time of publication. Sales tax not included. Please check www.picotech.com for the latest prices before ordering.Errors and omissions excepted.
Pico Technology is a registered trademark of Pico Technology Ltd. PicoSource is a trademark of Pico Technology Ltd.
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