USG3045M-P 4.5 GHz Analog RF Signal Generator with Mechanical Attenuator

Overview

The USG3045M-P is a 4.5 GHz analog signal generator covering 9 kHz to 4.5 GHz with 0.001 Hz frequency resolution and a level range of −135 dBm to +25 dBm. Single-sideband phase noise typically < −122 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz / 20 kHz offset, amplitude accuracy ≤0.7 dB (Typ.), and frequency switching ≤40 ms make it suitable for both bench R&D and automated test workflows. The USG3045M-P delivers AM, FM, and ΦM analog modulation with optional pulse and narrow-pulse generation.

As an analog RF signal source, the USG3045M-P is positioned for stimulus work that depends on spectral purity and level accuracy rather than baseband modulation: component characterization, amplifier and filter testing, mixer and LNA evaluation, calibration of receivers and spectrum analyzers, and production-line stimulus for RF subassemblies. Optional pulse and narrow-pulse modulation extends the instrument into pulsed RF test for radar component validation and time-gated stimulus work, with a minimum pulse width of 20 ns and 10 ns resolution.

Key Features

Detailed Features

High Spectral Purity for Sensitive Receiver and Component Test

Single-sideband phase noise typically below −122 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz with a 20 kHz offset is the headline spectral-purity figure that determines whether a generator can stimulate the device under test without contaminating the measurement. Low close-in phase noise matters for adjacent-channel rejection testing on receivers, image-rejection on mixers, and any narrowband filter characterization where the stimulus must be cleaner than the device's own passband behavior.

The clock-source architecture supports ≤±0.2 ppm/year aging rate, ≤±10 ppb temperature effects, and ≤±10 ppb line-voltage sensitivity — frequency reference stable enough for calibration-cycle use without external 10 MHz lock, though both 10 MHz reference input and 10 MHz output are available on the rear panel for multi-instrument synchronization.

× Single-sideband phase noise typical < -122 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz

× AM, FM, and ΦM with internal, external, and combined modulation sources

Analog Modulation — AM, FM, and ΦM

Amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation are all standard. Each mode supports three modulation-source paths: internal (from the built-in 50 MHz function/arbitrary waveform generator), external (via the rear-panel analog modulation input), or internal + external combined for layered modulation. Internal modulation eliminates the second-instrument dependency for most R&D and component-test workflows, simplifying both bench setup and automated test fixturing.

Modulation parameters — depth, rate, and waveform shape — are accessible through the touch UI's signal-flow-guided interface, which keeps the modulation source, modulation type, and RF carrier visible together on one screen rather than buried in separate menus.

× 160 dB output range with three ALC modes

Wide Output Range — +25 dBm Maximum, −135 dBm Minimum

Output settable range is −135 dBm to +25 dBm with 0.01 dB resolution. Maximum output power varies by frequency band and attenuator type: in the 250 MHz to 1.2 GHz band, the electronic attenuator delivers +20 dBm typical, while the mechanical attenuator option reaches +24 dBm. Above 1.2 GHz and through 3.6 GHz, electronic output is +18 dBm; mechanical-attenuator output is +22 dBm.

Three ALC (Automatic Level Control) modes are available: ALC Auto selects the optimum mode for the current operating state; ALC On runs closed-loop level control for CW, FM, and ΦM operation; ALC S&H (Off) freezes the closed-loop value on frequency or amplitude transitions, useful for AM and pulse modulation work where ALC interaction with the modulation envelope is undesirable.

Optional Pulse and Narrow-Pulse Generation

The optional pulse modulation package adds an on-off ratio of up to 80 dB with customizable pulse-train definitions, enabling single-instrument pulsed RF for radar component test, time-gated stimulus, and EMC pulsed-emission work. The narrow-pulse generator option extends capability to a 20 ns minimum width with 10 ns resolution, addressing test requirements of millimeter-wave radar components used in commercial automotive ADAS suppliers and short-range industrial radar systems.

× Pulse modulation with 80 dB on-off ratio and narrow-pulse generation

× Step and list sweep on frequency and amplitude with bus triggering

Frequency and Amplitude Sweep, Built-in 50 MHz AWG

Step sweep and list sweep are both standard on frequency and amplitude. Step sweep supports 2 to 65535 points; list sweep supports up to 500 user-defined points with per-point dwell times from 100 μs to 100 s. Sweep change is selectable linear or logarithmic. Trigger sources include free-running, external trigger, front-panel key, and bus (LAN, USB, GPIB) — full automated-test compatibility without manual intervention.

A built-in 50 MHz function/arbitrary waveform generator provides standard waveforms, sweep, and modulation in the same chassis. The LF output sits on the front panel alongside the RF output, so dual-output stimulus work doesn't require a second instrument on the bench.

USB Power Sensor Support — Flatness Correction at the DUT Plane (Option USG3000-PK)

The optional USG3000-PK software license enables the instrument to read and display power measurements from a user-supplied USB power sensor connected to the front-panel USB Host port. The license is delivered as a file that installs from a USB stick via the instrument's Option Install menu, following the same activation workflow as the Pulse Modulation and GPIB options. A USB power sensor is not included; the user supplies a compatible sensor.

Once activated, the Power Sensor menu provides measurement frequency entry, frequency coupling to the current RF carrier (with multiplier and offset for harmonic and IF-shifted measurements), measurement averaging, and amplitude offset entry — the standard tools for flatness correction and cable-loss compensation at the DUT plane. The amplitude offset entry is particularly useful when the signal path between the generator and the device under test includes cables, attenuators, or amplifiers: the displayed power reflects what the DUT actually sees, not what leaves the generator's output connector.

× License-activated USB power sensor support — user supplies sensor

5-Inch Touch UI with Signal-Flow Interface

A 5.0-inch high-resolution touch screen provides full touch control over every function except the power switch. The interface is built around a signal-flow diagram — the user sees modulation source, modulation type, sweep mode, and RF carrier as a connected chain rather than as scattered menu items. For an instrument with this much configurable surface area (multiple modulation paths, multiple sweep modes, optional pulse and power-meter kits), the signal-flow paradigm meaningfully cuts setup time on R&D benches where the test configuration changes hour-to-hour.

× 5-inch touch screen with signal-flow-guided interface

× LAN, USB, optional GPIB with SCPI, Web Control, and Device Manager

Full Automation — SCPI, Web Control, Device Manager

LAN, USB Host, and USB Device are standard rear-panel interfaces; GPIB is optional. All ports speak the standard SCPI command set, enabling remote operation from any automation-capable host. Test engineers commonly drive the instrument from LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or even Excel macros for batch command execution.

Web Control provides browser-based remote access — point a PC or mobile browser at the instrument's IP address and the full front-panel UI is available remotely, with no client install. Device Manager (UNI-T's free PC software, V2.5.0 and higher) manages the instrument via LAN (VXI-11, Socket), USB Device (USB-TMC), or GPIB, and handles batch instrument inventories on a multi-station test floor.

Detailed Specifications

Specifications subject to change without notice. "Typ." values represent typical performance and are not warranted.

Applications

Wireless and RF Component Development

• Higher-Power Sub-6 GHz Bench R&D — Mechanical attenuator delivers +24 dBm at 1.2 GHz for amplifier compression-point and 1 dB-CP measurements on receiver front-ends and high-side LNAs.
• Filter and Amplifier Sweeps — Built-in step and list sweep on frequency and amplitude with external trigger sync for automated test fixturing.
• Mixer Characterization — Dual-output (RF + LF) on a single chassis — mixer LO, RF input, and IF measurement without a second instrument.
• Receiver Pre-selector Testing — High spectral purity (phase noise < −122 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz) for image-rejection and adjacent-channel testing.

Commercial Production Test and Calibration

• Production-Line Stimulus for RF Modules — Mechanical attenuator's higher absolute output supports compression-class spec verification on commercial RF module production lines.
• USB Power Sensor Integration — Optional USG3000-PK license activates flatness correction at the DUT plane with a user-supplied USB power sensor.
• Frequency Coupling — Sensor automatically tracks carrier sweeps for cable-loss verification across the full output range.
• Full SCPI Automation — LAN, USB, or optional GPIB — drop-in for existing automated test stations running LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or Excel.

Pulsed-RF Stimulus for Commercial Radar Components

• Higher-Power Pulsed-RF for Radar TR Modules — Mechanical attenuator combined with narrow-pulse generator option supports high-fidelity radar front-end and TR-module test.
• 80 dB On-Off Ratio Pulse Modulation — Dynamic-range testing on radar TR modules and pulsed-RF receivers.
• Customizable Pulse Trains — User-defined PRI emulation for radar timing characterization.
• External Pulse Trigger I/O — Synchronization with radar receiver test fixtures and external trigger sources.

Accessories & In the Box

Included

• USG3045M-P RF signal generator
• AC power cord (region-specific)
• USB data cable
• Quick start guide and certificate of conformity

Recommended Accessories

• USG3000-PM — Pulse modulation option (license-activated; 80 dB on-off ratio, customizable pulse trains).
• USG3000-PG — Narrow-pulse generator option (license-activated; 20 ns minimum width, 10 ns resolution).
• USG3000-PK — USB power sensor support option (license-activated; user supplies a compatible USB power sensor).
• USG3000-GPIB — GPIB interface option (license-activated; activates the rear-panel GPIB port for legacy automation systems).
• SMA cables and adapters — UT-W01-6GHz NJ-NJ DC-6 GHz cable, UT-W02-6GHz SMAJ-NJ DC-6 GHz cable, UT-C01-6GHz SMA-N adapter, UT-C02-4GHz N-BNC adapter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Warranty

This instrument is backed by UNI-T's 3+2 Year Warranty — 3 years of standard coverage, plus 2 additional years free when you register your product. That's 5 years of total protection at no extra cost.

The warranty covers manufacturing defects and component failures under normal use conditions. UNI-T instruments are built for professional daily use, and our warranty reflects that commitment to long-term reliability.