Instrument Function > RF Block > Phase > Phase Continuous Frequency > Phase Continuous Frequency Settings
Phase Continuous Frequency Settings

To access the settings for configuring the phase continuous mode, perform one of the following:

  1. Select "RF > config... > RF Frequency > Frequency/Phase".

  2. Press the MENU key and select "RF > RF Frequency > Frequency/Phase".

    The "Phase Continuous Frequency Settings" section in the combined "RF Frequency / Phase..." contains the parameters required for configuring the phase settings.

The remote commands required to define the phase settings are described in "SOURce:FREQuency Subsystem".

Phase Continuous Active

Activates phase continuous frequency settings. For a given RF frequency setting, phase continuous frequency changes are possible in a limited frequency range.

See "Frequency Range - RF Signal" for an overview.

For instrument without option R&S SMA-B22:

The range is typically +/-0.5 MHz in the main synthesizer octave of 750 MHz to 1.5 GHz.

Note: If "Phase Continuous" is "Active" a setting of the "RF Frequency" outside the available "Frequency Range" causes an error. A settings conflict is displayed.
Before you activate the phase continuous mode, select the required main PLL bandwidth, provided your instrument supports this feature, see "The Configurable Main PLL Bandwidth" and "Main Pll Bandwidth". If you change the main PLL bandwidth while phase continuous is active, the bandwidth setting is not considered.

For instrument with option R&S SMA-B22:

The frequency range is indicated in the table in section "Frequency Range - RF Signal". The range indication is active even if phase continuous frequency setting is not yet activated. Thus, the desired range can be determined before activating the function. Two modes are available.

Note: If "Phase Continuous" is "Active" a setting of the "RF Frequency" outside the indicated "Frequency Range" is only possible for mode Wide. A settings conflict is displayed.

Remote command: 
 
Frequency Range - RF Signal

(instruments with R&S SMA-B22 option only)

Selects the mode for determining the frequency range for the phase continuous signal.

The frequency range depends on the selected mode.

RF frequency

[MHZ]

Typ . range without R&S SMA-B22

Range with R&S SMA-B22 Narrow mode

Range with R&S SMA-B22 Wide mode

f <= 6.6

125 kHz

625 kHz

2.5 MHz

6.6 < f <= 11.71875

7.813 kHz

39.625 kHz

156.25 kHz

11.71875 < f <= 23.4375

15.625 kHz

78.125 kHz

312.5 kHz

23.4375 < f <= 46.875

31.25 kHz

156.25 kHz

625 kHz

46.875 < f <= 93.75

62.5 kHz

312.5 kHz

1250 kHz

93.75 < f <= 187.5

125 kHz

625 kHz

2.5 MHz

187.5 < f <= 375

250 kHz

1250 kHz

5 MHz

375 < f <= 750

500 kHz

2.5 MHz

10 MHz

750 < f <= 1500

1 MHz

5 MHz

20 MHz

1500 < f <= 3000

2 MHz

10 MHz

40 MHz

3000< f <= 6000

4 MHz

20 MHz

80 MHz

"Narrow"

The available frequency range is smaller than with setting wide. It is asymmetrical around the RF frequency set at the point of activating the phase continuous settings (see table above).

In the narrow mode, a DDS frequency of 15 MHz to 20 MHz is used as reference signal to the phase detector. This provides a tuning range of 5 MHz in the main synthesizer octave from 750 MHz to 1.5 GHz. When activating the phase continuous settings, the current setting of the DDS is anywhere between 15 and 20 MHz, e.g. 17 MHz. Thus, the distribution around the center frequency most likely is asymmetrical, e.g. - 2 MHz and + 3 MHz for the 17 MHz. Signal quality is high because the larger mixing products are filtered by the low-pass filter (IF max. 20 MHz).

The narrow mode is recommended whenever possible due to the better signal quality (spectral purity).

It is not possible to set frequencies outside the available frequency range.

"Wide"

The wide mode provides a larger frequency range. The frequency range is symmetrical around the RF frequency set at the point of activating the phase continuous settings (see table above).

Due to an additional divider by 8 in the PLL the signal quality is reduced in this mode. At some frequencies non -harmonics will be present.

Setting frequencies outside the available frequency range is possible, however, a settings conflict is indicated. The usable overrange depends on the currently set RF frequency, e.g. at 1 GHz it reaches from 850 MHz to 1030 MHZ.

Remote command: 
 
Frequency Range in [Hz] - RF Signal

(instruments with R&S SMA-B22 option only)

Displays the frequency range for phase continuous settings. The available frequency range depends on the mode selection ("Narrow" or "Wide").

The range indication is active even if phase continuous frequency settings are not yet activated. Thus, the desired range can be determined before activating the function.

Remote command: 
 

 


Imprint | Statement of Privacy | Terms & Conditions© 2016 ROHDE & SCHWARZ