Septmber
2005, Issue 182
Signal
Generation Solution
Build
an Inexpensive RF Signal Generator
GOOD
OUTPUT?
A
table showing an output comparison between the RF signal
generator and a commercially available generator is
posted on the FTP site. Both generators were set to
deliver a 200-MHz, 5-dBm signal.
All
unwanted spurs of any consequence are pushed out of
the 10- to 600-MHz range of the generator except for
the pesky second harmonic of the desired output signal.
As I predicted with the Hittite tool, this component
is down approximately 36 dB relative to the wanted fundamental.
The
expensive spread is better, but I didn’t do too badly
with respect to harmonic levels and total harmonic distortion.
Furthermore, the RF generator’s output levels were well
maintained across the frequency range to 5 dBm (±0.5
dBm). A sample plot of the output spectrum is available
on the FTP site.
