R&S FSWP and FSPN upgraded phase noise analysers

Rohde & Schwarz introduces improved performance for its phase noise analysis and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) measurement instruments. Both the high-end R&S FSWP phase noise analyser and VCO tester plus signal and spectrum analyser and the R&S FSPN dedicated phase noise analyser and VCO tester are now upgraded. Simultaneous hardware and software upgrades improve the products’ performance, reducing noise levels and measurement times while increasing accuracy. Both analysers include test sequence recording functions (SCPI recorder), which are rare in this class of instrument.

The new hardware basis common to both phase noise analysers includes upgraded DC sources with reduced noise levels, enhancing sensitivity. Users should appreciate the improved capacitive screen featuring higher colour intensity and better antiglare properties, making the display brighter and clearer in all working conditions. In addition, multi-touch features like zoom are supported by the updated user interface.

For very low noise oscillators with the inherent noise largely thermal at wider offsets, any potential cross-spectral collapse is now suppressed. In particular for production use, higher measurement speed for VCO measurements should help reduce the cost of test. With the newly introduced SCPI command recorder, Rohde & Schwarz implements a function to record sequences of manual settings. Using the command recorder, engineers can create easily repeatable test sequences, including the necessary synchronisation, to operate correctly.