USG3045V 4.5 GHz Vector RF Signal Generator

Overview

The USG3045V is a 4.5 GHz vector 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 USG3045V supports full vector modulation with a 150 MHz real-time baseband bandwidth.

As a vector signal generator, the USG3045V adds a full real-time digital modulation engine to the analog signal-source foundation. With 150 MHz of baseband bandwidth, real-time QAM/PSK/FSK/ASK generation, ARB waveform-file playback, multi-carrier and multi-tone modes, and AWGN noise injection for receiver testing, the USG3045V addresses protocol-aware wireless R&D and commercial production test for 5G NR, WLAN, LTE, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Z-Wave devices. Typical QPSK EVM is 0.4% at a 1 GHz carrier; 5G NR ACPR is typically < −55 dBc at a 3.8 GHz carrier. The USG3045V is suited to wireless-device R&D, calibration labs running spec verification, and commercial production-test stations.

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

× QPSK EVM 0.4% at 1 GHz, 5G NR ACPR <-55 dBc at 3.8 GHz (Typ.)

Real-Time Vector Modulation with 150 MHz Baseband Bandwidth

The internal vector engine provides 150 MHz of real-time baseband bandwidth and generates real-time QAM, PSK, FSK, and ASK modulation with user-configurable filter shapes (RRC, Gaussian, custom). User-defined custom modulation types with adjustable filling settings extend coverage across all critical communication formats. With QPSK at a 1 GHz carrier, measured EVM is 0.4% typical — calibration-grade. For 5G NR at 3.8 GHz, ACPR is < −55 dBc typical, so the instrument's own spectral regrowth doesn't dominate measurements on 5G receiver and transmitter validation work.

× 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.

× ARB playback with multi-carrier and multi-tone modes

ARB Playback, Multi-Carrier, and Multi-Tone Modes

ARB playback mode plays back user-defined arbitrary waveform data at variable sampling rates, with baseband preview that displays the waveform in both time and frequency domains before transmission. ARB multi-carrier mode splits wideband signals into multiple narrowband subcarriers, each independently modulated — simplifying construction of carrier-aggregated LTE/5G NR signals and multi-channel interference environments without external signal combiners. Multi-tone mode generates multiple frequency components simultaneously for intermodulation distortion testing, multi-channel receiver characterization, and spectrum-density emulation.

Real-Time AWGN Injection for Receiver Sensitivity Testing

The instrument provides both pure-noise output and real-time additive white Gaussian noise injection, with precise signal-to-noise power control — no separate noise measurement step required before each test. For receiver sensitivity verification, blocking and selectivity testing, and dynamic-range characterization, AWGN injection is the workhorse stimulus. Controlling SNR digitally inside the same instrument that generates the modulated signal removes a measurement-uncertainty drift source on long-running production sequences.

× Real-time AWGN injection with precise SNR control

× Native ZigBee, Z-Wave + 5G NR/WLAN/LTE/Bluetooth via SignalStudio

IoT and Mobile Communication Protocol Generation

Native ZigBee and Z-Wave signal generation is built into the instrument's vector engine with flexible modulation parameter settings per protocol — eliminating third-party IoT signal source dependencies for incoming inspection, R&D prototyping, and production-line stimulus. For 5G NR, WLAN, LTE, and Bluetooth waveforms, the instrument pairs with UNI-T's SignalStudio software (sold separately) for protocol-compliant signal simulation across commercial wireless-device R&D and compliance pre-screen.

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 40 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

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, multiple digital protocols, ARB and multi-carrier work, 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

Protocol-Aware Wireless Device Development

• 5G NR Sub-6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6 R&D — Full vector modulation with 0.4% QPSK EVM and < −55 dBc 5G NR ACPR through 4.5 GHz — suited to 5G NR sub-6 GHz device R&D, Wi-Fi 6 transmitter and receiver test, and Bluetooth 5.x development.
• QAM, PSK, FSK, ASK Real-Time Digital Modulation — Custom filter shapes (RRC, Gaussian, user-defined) for protocol-specific test signal generation.
• ARB Multi-Carrier Mode — Carrier-aggregated LTE / 5G NR test signals without external combiners.
• AWGN Injection — Real-time noise injection for receiver sensitivity and dynamic-range characterization.

Commercial Production Test and Calibration Labs

• Production Test for 5G NR and Wi-Fi 6 Modules — Fast frequency switching, SCPI automation, and 0.4% QPSK EVM vector accuracy for high-volume commercial production lines.
• Calibration-Grade Vector Modulation Accuracy — QPSK EVM 0.4% typical at 1 GHz supports commercial cal-lab spec verification.
• USB Power Sensor Integration — Optional USG3000-PK license activates flatness correction at the DUT plane with a user-supplied USB power sensor.
• OCXO Clock Source Standard — ≤±0.2 ppm/year aging suits calibration-cycle scheduling.

IoT Device R&D and Compliance Pre-Screen

• ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth IoT Test — Native protocol generation at 2.4 GHz eliminates third-party IoT signal source dependencies for receiver test.
• Native ZigBee and Z-Wave Generation — Flexible modulation parameter control (modulation count, modulation method) per protocol.
• SignalStudio Protocol Simulation — 5G NR / WLAN / LTE / Bluetooth waveform support via UNI-T SignalStudio software (sold separately).
• Multi-Tone Mode — IoT mesh-network coexistence and interference testing.

Accessories & In the Box

Included

• USG3045V 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; 40 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).
• SignalStudio + waveform licenses — UNI-T SignalStudio software (sold separately) with optional waveform-playback license packages: BT (Bluetooth), OFDM (custom OFDM), DM (custom digital modulation), VIOT (extended IoT).
• 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.

Family Members

• USG3045M — 4.5 GHz analog, electronic attenuator.
• USG3045M-P — 4.5 GHz analog, mechanical attenuator.
• USG3065M — 6.5 GHz analog, electronic attenuator.
• USG3065M-P — 6.5 GHz analog, mechanical attenuator.
• USG3045V-P — 4.5 GHz vector, mechanical attenuator.
• USG3065V — 6.5 GHz vector, electronic attenuator.
• USG3065V-P — 6.5 GHz vector, mechanical attenuator.

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.