The Rohde & Schwarz FSWP8 is an 8 GHz phase noise analyzer and VCO tester designed for precise characterization of oscillators, synthesizers, and frequency sources in R&D, quality assurance, and production environments. It delivers SSB phase noise measurements below –166 dBc (1 Hz) at 1 GHz with 10 kHz offset, coupled with simultaneous amplitude noise analysis and automated VCO characterization. The instrument measures phase noise across offset frequencies from 1 µHz to beyond the standard range, supports cross-correlation analysis, and includes pulsed-signal measurement capability. With an optional internal signal and spectrum analyzer module, it extends measurement versatility to 10 Hz and achieves DANL below –165 dBm (1 Hz) with preamplifier integration.
Technical Specifications
• Frequency Range: 1 MHz to 8 GHz (standard); DC coupled 10 Hz to 8 GHz; up to 500 GHz with external harmonic mixers
• Phase Noise (SSB): <–166 dBc (1 Hz) at 1 GHz, 10 kHz offset; typical –172 dBc (1 Hz) at 1 GHz and –158 dBc (1 Hz) at 10 GHz, both at 10 kHz offset
• Minimum Offset Frequency: 1 µHz from carrier
• Cross-Correlation Noise Floor: –165 dBc (1 Hz) at 10 GHz with R&S FSWP-B60 option (10 dBm signal, gating on)
• Amplitude Noise Suppression: 40 dB nominal (10 mHz to 1 MHz offset); 30 dB nominal (1 MHz to 30 MHz offset)
• Signal Analyzer DANL (optional R&S FSWP-B1): –156 dBm (1 Hz) standard; below –165 dBm (1 Hz) with preamplifier; near –174 dBm (1 Hz) with noise cancellation
• Analyzer TOI: Typ. 25 dBm
• Analysis Bandwidth: 320 MHz or 80 MHz (optional)
– Key Features
• Automatic VCO characterization: frequency, output power, tuning slope, current consumption, and harmonic power measurement versus tuning voltage
• Phase noise display across tuning voltage range
• Low-noise internal DC sources for VCO supply and control
• Pulsed-signal phase noise measurement
• Internal reference source for additive phase noise testing
• Intuitive touchscreen interface
– Typical Applications
• VCO development and characterization
• Oscillator spectral purity assessment
• Frequency synthesizer validation
• Production phase noise acceptance testing
– Compatibility & Integration
External harmonic mixers enable frequency coverage to 500 GHz. Optional modules include signal/spectrum analyzer (R&S FSWP-B1) and cross-correlation enhancement (R&S FSWP-B60).
