FS2000B-4 Frontgrade Fast Switching Frequency Synthesizer

The Frontgrade / Aeroflex FS2000 Series Fast Switching Frequency Synthesizers are a family of frequency synthesizers operate in the frequency of 1 MHz to 18.4 GHz and offer submicrosecond frequency switching speed, and submicrosecond level correction, coupled with superb spectral purity. With an installed base supporting hundreds of sub-microsecond switching and high spectral purity applications, the FS2000 family are proven performers for a diverse range of stringent applications. Introduced in 1986, FS2000 frequency synthesizers incorporate the most significant advances in frequency synthesizer technology and are based on Aeroflex's patented wideband direct analog synthesis techniques. The technology has been constantly refined and enhanced so that today the family comprises more than thirty models and a host of options which assure that your application has a reliable, proven, signal source.

Aeroflex's FS2000 Series is the most significant advance in Frequency Synthesizer technology in over 10 years. It is the first synthesizer to combine ultra fast switching, low phase noise, and low spurious over a wide frequency range. Aeroflex's patented method achieves direct analog synthesis over an octave range. This combined with extensive hybridization enables the FS2000 to be packaged in 1/3 the size of previous synthesizers. In addition, built-in fault isolation and modular construction reduce MTTR (Mean Time to Repair). Interchangeability and commonality of boards and modules minimize spare parts requirements. FS2000 frequency synthesizers have uncompromising performance. Switching speed is specified simply; less than 1 µsecond between any two frequencies with any resolution- no ifs, ands, or buts. Close-in spectral purity is virtually that of the frequency reference, multiplied to the output frequency, while far-out noise decreases monotonically to the floor. No phase-locked loops, no complicated schemes.

Just simple, direct and reliable. The FS2000 is based on an iterative, modular direct analog architecture with a central reference generator that synthesizes 50, 100, 150, 200 and 800 MHz signals from a 100 MHz reference derived by multiplying a 5 or 10 MHz reference oscillator appropriately and improving far-out noise by judicious filtering. All frequencies are derived in an iterative frequency generation architecture. Frequencies are generated as a decade of frequency steps over an octave from 500 MHz inputs to the next stage.

Final outputs are produced by a scaling module which provides for doubling, dividing, or heterodyning to achieve a range of 10 MHz to 2.3 GHz. Units which have extended frequency ranges use an additional scaling module which doubles to 4.6 GHz, and again to 9.2 and 18.4 GHz. The architecture also provides the additional benefit of simplifying the user interface programming in Binary Coded Decimal (BCD). Naturally, a variety of interfaces are optionally provided, including IEEE-488 and a user friendly keyboard.