Keysight Technologies

Signal Source Solutions for Coherent

and Phase Stable Multi-Channel Systems

Application Note
Table of Contents

Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3
Definition and Explanation of Coherency.............................................................. 4
What are coherent and phase stable signals?..................................................................... 4

Why Coherent Multi-Channel Systems?................................................................ 5

Multi-channel applications..................................................................................................... 5
Spatial diversity systems ....................................................................................................... 5
MIMO systems.................................................................................................................... 6
Beam forming..................................................................................................................... 7
Direction finding................................................................................................................. 8
Test challenges........................................................................................................................ 9
Phase matching................................................................................................................ 10
Providing low-noise LOs.................................................................................................. 11
Nonlinear effects in coherent multi-channel system.................................................... 12
Simulation......................................................................................................................... 12

Multi-Channel Coherent Signal Generators...................................................... 13

Issues with common multi-source approaches ................................................................ 13
Locking 10 MHz references............................................................................................ 13
Triggering the baseband AWG........................................................................................ 17
Approaches to coherency problems.................................................................................... 17
Phase-stable solutions.................................................................................................... 17
Phase-coherent solutions .............................................................................................. 18

Available Solutions from Keysight........................................................................... 19

MXG and PSG with locked 10 MHz reference.................................................................... 19
Phase Stable PSG with 1 GHz locked reference
(Options H1S and H1G)......................................................................................................20
Coherent MXGs with shared LO (Option 012) .................................................................. 22
Coherent PSGs with shared LO (Options HCC).................................................................. 25
Coherent PSG with shared LO (Options HCC, 016) and
synchronized external wideband AWG (N8241A).......................................................... 27
Z2090B-3xx single or multi-channel coherent signal simulator..................................... 28

Modifying the Baseband Arbitrary Generator

Waveform File to Add a Phase Shift............................................................ 29
Which System Do I Need?............................................................................................. 30
Conclusion............................................................................................................................... 31
Introduction
Coherent multi-channel systems have unique properties that enable beam
forming, direction finding and improved reception in a dispersive channel. As
enabling technology matures and demands for these capabilities increase, the
ability to efficiently test and exercise these systems is of growing importance.

When performing characterization, special signal simulation capabilities are

required to accurately recreate the operational environment. Namely, signals
must be created in a way that they will coherently combine to simulate their
real-world behavior. This application note will discuss test signal requirements
for the evaluation of multi channel RF systems, including example test configu-
rations with varying degrees of coherence, example test requirements, and an
examination of errors and uncertainty that limit coherence.

3
Definition and Explanation of Coherency

What are coherent and phase stable signals?

Two signals are said to be coherent if they have a constant relative phase at all
instances in time. They are of interest because when present together they will
combine either constructively (add) or destructively (subtract) from one another
depending on their relative phase.

Having the same frequency does not qualify signals as being phase coherent,
even if precisely frequency matched. This is because uncorrelated phase noise
and phase drift between the signals will cause their relative phase relationship
to vary over time. If these random phase variations are of any significance, the
signals will not add or subtract.

It should be noted that coherency does not imply that the signals are free from
phase impairments. To the contrary, two coherent signals may have even large
amounts phase noise and phase drift as long as it is common between them
and their phase varies in precisely the same manner. The difference between
coherent signals and noncoherent signals is not black and white. Signals can
be marginally coherent if the relative phase instabilities are small enough such
that the signals still exhibit some constructive or destructive combining when
present together. Coherence is then a statistical property between signals that
can be calculated using the following formula:

E{( X − µ X )(Y − µ Y )} σ XY
ρ XY = =
σ Xσ Y σ Xσ Y
Where:
ρ = coherence
E = expected value operator
µ = average value
σ = std deviation
σXY = covariance of signal X and signal Y
X = signal X
Y = signal Y

The result is a number between zero and one. Signals with a coherence of one are
fully coherent and signals with a coherence of zero are completely noncoherent. For
clarity, the term “phase stable” will be used in this application note to refer to signals
and systems that are partially coherent to draw distinction from fully coherent signals.

In addition to having the ability to generate coherent and phase stable signals,
it is often necessary to modify the phase relationship between signals. Systems
with this capability will be described as coherent systems with phase control.

In summary, the following terms and definitions will be used for the purposes of
this application note:

Phase-stable signals: Have coherence better than 0 but less than 1 over a
given observation period
Phase-coherent signals: Have coherence nearing 1 over a given observation period
Phase control: The ability to modify the relative phase relation between each
of multiple signals

4
Why Coherent Multi-Channel Systems?

Multi-channel systems use multiple antennas that are spatially separated to

provide added capabilities. These include the means to combat multi-path and
dispersive channel fading, direct energy using beam forming, improve data
throughput using inverse channel property estimation techniques, or determine
the direction of signal origination. Important to employing many of these capa-
bilities is the ability to coherently establish and manage phase relationships
between signals. Below is a closer look at some multi-channel technologies.

Multi-channel applications

Spatial diversity systems

Spatial diversity antennas provide a solution to the signal multi-path problem.
A signal transmitted from an antenna radiates outward toward the receiver.
Some of that signal will travel in a direct line-of-sight to a receiver antenna.
Unfortunately, some of that signal may be reflected from nearby objects or
atmospheric ducting and take a less direct path to the receiver antenna.
Depending on the arrival phase of each electromagnetic wave from the direct
or reflected rays, the electromagnetic waves may combine destructively or
constructively. If the waves combine destructively, there will be no energy
available at the main receiver to use for data detection (Figure 1a). However,
if a second spatial diversity antenna is used, placed at the appropriate physical
separation from the main antenna, it will enable the signals to combine
constructively and much more energy will be available for data detection in
its receiver. With proper antenna separation distances, the diversity antenna
will have maximum signal power when the main antenna is at a signal null.
Conversely, when the diversity antenna is at a spatial signal null, the main
antenna will be at a signal maximum.

Diversity systems may vary in their approach. Some may simply select and
switch to the antenna with the greatest signal power. However, switching
may be difficult in highly mobile applications where multi-path effects change
rapidly. Other systems take advantage of the additional energy and coherently
combine or sum the signal energy coming from each antenna.

The switching or combining of signals may take place either at RF, IF or digital
baseband. Performing these functions at digital baseband is attractive because
DSP can be employed efficiently, typically by using a digital automatic delay
equalizer (DADE) to seamlessly align the signals with large delays and
constructively combine. This requires multiple RF and IF paths that are
phase-stable relative to each other if not fully coherent.

5
 RSL (dBm)
Spatial diversity Main
Destructive receiver
addiction
Transmitter

Direct ray

Diversity
Reflect
ray

Constructive Diversity
addiction receiver

Offset
180º phase shift

Figure 1a. The coherent nature of multi-path signals causes them to combine constructively
or destructively. A spatial-diversity antenna ensures good reception in a multi-path
environment by using spatially separated antennas.

MIMO systems
Multiple-input/multiple/output (MIMO) systems go a step further than spatial
diversity systems. Rather than switch or combine signals from spatially diverse
paths to combat the effects of multi-path, a MIMO system uses multi-path
effects to its advantage. It does this through the use of space-time coding.
Essentially, a MIMO system encodes data onto the transmit signals in such a
way that the receiver is able to process and break multi-path channels into
multiple spatial channels that can uniquely transmit data.1 To do this, MIMO
systems typically employ computationally rigorous inverse channel property
estimation algorithms performed in DSP (Figure 1b), thus requiring systems
with multiple phase-stable or phase-coherent transmit and receive RF and IF
paths in both the transmitter and receiver. To avoid symbol interference from
multipath, MIMO systems usually use long symbol duration modulations such
as OFDM. Theoretically, a MIMO system may multiply its data bandwidth capacity
by the number of transmit and receive antenna pairs used. Modern MIMO
systems also offer some advantages in data security because they can take
advantage of spatially diverse transmitter sources.

2 x 2 MIMO
h 11

h 12
x1 Tx 1 Rx 1 x1

h 21
H-1
h 22
(DSP)

Linear
x2 Tx 2 Rx 2 x2
channel

1. Durgin, Gregory D., Space-Time Wireless Figure 1b. MIMO systems use multiple antennas, space-time coding and channel-
Channels, pg 15, Pearson Education Inc., estimation algorithms to create multiple spatial data channels capable of uniquely
2003 transmitting data.
6
Beam forming
Another important capability that comes with the use of multiple antenna
apertures is the forming of a narrow antenna beam or flat-plate radiator.
Coherently driven antennas with the appropriate phase delay between antenna
elements can form signal beams (Figure 1c). Phased array antennas use delays
created in the beam forming network (BFN) to produce a uniform wavefront
traveling in a specific direction. The uniform wavefront allows a group of low
directivity antennas to act like a highly directional antenna in aggregate for
either transmit or receive applications.

Beam forming

Wave front

Delay

τ1 τ2 τ3 τ4 τ5 τ6 τ7 τ8

Figure 1c. A phased array of antennas forms a beam by adjusting the phase between
coherent antennas such that the signals constructively combine in the desired direction
and destructively combine in other directions.

A key advantage of using multiple antenna apertures instead of a single larger

aperture that is mechanically adjustable, such as a big parabolic dish, is that
phased arrays can have electronically adjustable delays, enabling the antenna
beam to move from one point in space to another very rapidly—a key capability
for radar applications.

The electronically adjustable beam of a phased array antenna is controlled with

a steering matrix—a set of weighting coefficients that control the delays in the
BFN. Changing the delay or phase-shift weighting between antenna elements
allows the beam to sweep through space rapidly or aim at a specific location.
However, phase control of each element of the phased array requires strong
coherency between each signal path.

7
 In addition to radar, phased arrays are also used in spatial division multiple
Keysight N6841A RF access (SDMA) systems. In these systems a beam is directed only at the
Sensor with N6854A RF desired receiver for communications (Figure 1d). Thus, all receivers may
Geolocation Software share the same frequency data link, but only the receiver at which the beam
is directed can receive the signal. SDMA systems are of particular interest to
those trying to create systems in which the probability of signal intercept is low.

Spatial division multiple access

(SDMA)

Rx 1
Geolocation provides an alternate Rx 1
method to locating signals that is
different to traditional direction Rx 1
finding techniques. The Keysight N6854A
geolocation software extends the
capabilities of the N6841A RF sen-
sors to include estimated position
based on time difference of arrival
(TDOA) techniques. For more τ1 τ2 τ3 τ4 τ5 τ6 τ7 τ8
information, please refer to Keysight
Application Note Techniques
and Trends in Signal Monitoring,
Frequency Management and
Geolocation of Wireless Emitters, Tx
publication number 5990-3861EN or
www.keysight.com/find/surveillance. Figure 1d. An SDMA system uses beam forming to direct or
receive energy only to or from a specific transmitter or receiver.

Direction finding
Multi-channel coherent systems are also useful in determining the location of
a signal emitter. With multi-channel and coherent systems, it is possible to find
the direction from which the signal is originating.

There are several methods for determining the location of a signal emitter using
different types of direction finding (DF) radio equipment. The simplest method is
to use a steerable narrow-beam antenna. This beam can be formed by using an
electronically steered phased array antenna as discussed above. The angle of
arrival (AoA) can then be determined by scanning the antenna and detecting the
direction from which the greatest energy is received. Enhanced precision may
be gained with these systems by adding the ability to make multiple measure-
ments from different positions or from multiple antennas and triangulating.

8
 A phase interferometer is another approach to measuring AoA. Interferometers
Keysight 89601A Vector
can provide very high angular resolution but require multi-channel receivers
Signal Analysis Software that have low phase noise and are fully coherent. The phase interferometer
compares the phase shift observed between antennas created by the wave-front
arriving from different directions (Figure 1e). This phase shift, φ, is related to the
AoA of the signal. Because the phase shift becomes ambiguous after 360° it is
often necessary to have additional antennas and coherent receivers to provide a
complete 360° of directional coverage.

Phase interferometer
angle of arrival (AoA) measurement
Delay
The Keysight 89601A vector signal
analysis software is a flexible tool
that includes analysis options φ
for a wide range of common
modulations. The VSA software AoA
Wave front
is supported on a number of
platforms including multi-channel
oscilloscopes, multi-channel vector
signal analyzers, and most Keysight
spectrum analyzers. The software
can make a variety of multi-channel Figure 1e. A direction-finding system can determine the angle of arrival of a transmitted
measurements including built-in signal by measuring the phase delay at two spatially separated receivers.
measurements for cross correlation,
coherence and cross spectrum.
Test challenges
– High-resolution spectrum analysis
– Advanced general-purpose
modulation analysis: AM/FM/PM, The applications discussed above require multiple channels with static phase
2FSK to 1024QAM relationships between them. Because operation of these systems requires
– Extensive standards-based analysis management or detection of the phase relationship between signals, testing
coverage, including LTE (MIMO), their operation also requires at least phase-stable if not fully coherent test
WiMAX™ (MIMO), WLAN (MIMO),
signals. In many cases, these signals must be coherent and must also have a
3GPP, RFID, and UWB
specific or definable phase relationship and therefore require coherent test-
– Compatible with more than 30
signal generators with phase-control capability. This section will take a closer
Keysight signal analyzers, scopes
and logic analyzers look at some specific test challenges and the reason that phase-stable or
coherent test signals are required.

9
Keysight 90000 Series Phase matching
Four-Channel Oscilloscope The systems discussed above require defined phase relationships between
with 89601A Vector channels. However, even small differences between cable lengths, amplifier
Signal Analysis Software devices and filters can create delays or phase shifts that destroy the desired
phase relationships. In addition, phase often varies as a function of frequency and
temperature. For example, group delay is common in components such as filters.

These delay effects can make it very difficult to achieve precision delay
matching between channels of a multi-channel coherent system. Components
must be tuned not only for the passband shape but also for the group-delay
response relative to the other components in the system. To make this even
more challenging, the group delay and amplitude matching must track over
– A high bandwidth, high frequency temperature. Even small delay differences at intermediate frequencies can
oscilloscope is a useful tool for appear as large phase errors relative to the RF signal (see Figure 2).
analyzing RF signals in the time
domain and frequency domain
simultaneously with Keysight’s Phase matching problems
89601A VSA software. Further,
the four coherent measurement ∆φ2
channels make it a very useful
tool for measurements of coherent Wave front
signals in multi-channel systems.
Delay φ
– 13 GHz bandwidth
– 40 GSa/s on each of four

Wave front
analog channels
τ1 τ2 τ3 τ4 τ5 τ6 τ7 τ8
– Standard 10 Mpts memory ∆φ1
∆φ2
per channel, upgradeable to
∆φ1
industry-leading 1 Gpts ∆φ1 = ∆φ2 = ... ∆φ8 ∆φ1 = ∆φ2

Keysight PNA Vector Figure 2. Coherent multi-channel systems often require phase matching between channels.
Network Analyzer with
U3022A Multi-Port Test Set A multiport vector network analyzer (VNA) is likely the best solution for measur-
ing delay or phase differences between components or between channels with
the highest degree of accuracy. However, for scenarios that require a complex
stimulus, a vector signal generator (VSG) may be the tool of choice. A single
VSG and a signal splitter may be sufficient to stimulate multiple coherent signal
ports. The phase difference in the responses can then be measured directly
using a coherent multi-channel analyzer such as a high frequency oscilloscope
or multichannel vector signal analyzer (VSA).

The advantage, however, of using multiple coherent sources with phase

control is that they have the capability to readily change the phase relationship
The Keysight U3022AE10 multiport between the stimulus signals.
test set, combined with two-port
PNA, PNA-L or PNA-X network
analyzer and Option 551, offers full
crossbar and calibrated measure-
ments up to 12-port.

– Coupler based test set for highest

accuracy and stability
– No external PC or software required
– Full 12-port calibration

10
Keysight E8267D PSG Providing low-noise LOs
Vector Signal Generator Another challenge with coherent systems is the complexity of generating a
test local oscillator (LO). Frequently in the development process, one desires
to use a test LO source to drive an upconverting or downconverting mixer. In
a single-channel noncoherent system, there are many commercially available
signal sources such as the Keysight PSG vector signal generator suitable for
LO signal test purposes. Coherent multi-channel systems require at least two
phase-coherent LOs to drive each channel. A simple power splitter and a
high-output-power signal generator such as the PSG can easily accomplish
Keysight’s E8267D PSG vector
signal generator is the industry’s
this for a single-frequency-conversion multi-channel system.
first integrated microwave VSG
with I/Q modulation up to 44 GHz. However, for multiple-frequency-conversion systems it is necessary to maintain
It features an advanced wideband a phase-stable relationship between each conversion synthesizer along with low
internal baseband generator capable phase noise. Lower-frequency LOs must have a fixed mathematical frequency
of flexible arbitrary waveform relationship to the higher-frequency LOs and test-signal generators must be
playback or sophisticated real-time phase-stable to each other from a common reference source. A single master
signal generation. The E8267D PSG reference is essential.
also has a built-in wideband I/Q
modulator that delivers up to 2 GHz This may seem easy, but in practice locking two general purpose signal sources
RF modulation bandwidth and is a
together to obtain higher-frequency phase-stable LOs can be difficult. Though
perfect complement to Keysight’s
N6030A standalone wideband AWG
most signal sources offer the familiar 10 MHz reference input to facilitate
for I/Q waveform simulations up to phase-stable LO generation, for many modern systems the results range from
1 GHz RF bandwidth. poor to unusable. Since most test-signal generators offer very small step size,
the 10 MHz signal is frequently divided to lower clock rates before being
– Vector signal generation to 44 GHz multiplied to higher frequencies. This typically results in large multiplication
and up to 2 GHz modulation BW factors to get to microwave frequencies in the gigahertz range. The result is the
– +22 dBm @ 20 GHz and +18 dBm phase noise increases by the familiar 20 Log(N) ratio (where N is the multiplica-
@ 40 GHz output power (typ) tion factor). The larger the multiplication factors the higher the phase noise. The
– Supports coherent multi-channel higher the phase noise of the phase-stable LOs, the lower the coherency factor
configuration with options possible between the channels. This effect can badly limit the performance
– Compatible with Keysight capability of multi-channel coherent systems that rely on coherent cancellation
Signal Studio waveform- of noise at the system detectors. This problem is worsened by drift or Allen
creation software
variance problems created by the comparatively long update period from a
comparatively low-frequency reference (possibly divided to an even lower
frequency internally).

Phase-stable or low-phase-noise LO requirements greatly complicate frequency

synthesizers. What’ more, most commercially available signal generators that
have external references often fall short of providing the necessary phase stability
for test LOs at different frequencies in multi-channel systems. As will be shown
below, signal analyzers such as the PSG have special options to improve phase
stability between multiple sources.

11
Nonlinear effects in coherent multi-channel system
Another challenge for the coherent system designer is the unusual behavior of
coherent signals to nonlinear effects. To illustrate, imagine placing a single
sinusoidal frequency into an amplifier and saturating the amplifier with that
signal. The amplitude of that signal would stop further amplification at the
saturation power level of the device.

Now imagine placing a coherent frequency comb signal into the same amplifier.
The output of the comb wouldn’t simply be clipped off. Instead, harmonic
energy that is coherently related to the lower frequency tones would combine
constructively and destructively. The comb pickets become seemingly random in
their amplitude (Figure 3).

Coherent nonlinear effects

|A| P out |A|

f P in f

Figure 3. Nonlinear products can combine in unpredictable ways in coherent systems.

Because signals in coherent systems can result in coherently related distortion

products, nonlinear effects have the potential to produce a variety of confusing
results that are difficult to diagnose. Tests with noncoherent signal conditions
may be inadequate at predicting the nonlinear behavior when coherent signals are
present. This is particularly true if cross-channel nonlinear effects are present.

Comprehensive nonlinear analysis of coherent systems therefore demands some

means of testing under coherently related conditions.

Simulation
Finally, a significant challenge for the multi-channel and coherent system
designer is providing test stimulus to ensure the system is functioning properly.
It may be possible to field test; however, using the actual platforms and emitters
the system is designed to operate with is often cost-prohibitive or not easily
available. For instance, flying several airplanes for days or weeks of testing,
each at a cost of a few thousand dollars per hour, can quickly exceed the cost of
even elaborate test setups. Providing the types of stimuli necessary to emulate
real-world operating conditions requires signal generators that can produce
phase-stable and coherently related stimuli. In addition, to simulate real-world
conditions it may be necessary to control and adjust the phase relationship
between signals to mimic an approaching wavefront to multiple antenna ports.

Fortunately, as we will see in the next sections, Keysight offers a variety of

solutions that can meet these demanding requirements.
12
Multi-Channel Coherent Signal Generators

Issues with common multi-source approaches

There are some common issues to be aware of with popular approaches that
attempt to make signal sources phase coherent. These issues greatly limit the
utility of most signal sources for coherent multi-channel applications.

Locking 10 MHz references

As alluded to earlier, the simplest way to achieve a degree of phase stability
between instruments is to lock the 10 MHz references of multiple signal
sources. However, though this solution provides frequency coherency, the phase
coherency (or phase stability as defined previously) will be limited. We can
understand this by looking closely at the signal source block diagram in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Locking the 10 MHz references of multiple sources provides only limited phase
stability between instruments.

13
 First, although the signal generator’s synthesizers are tracking against the same
time base, they have separate internal oscillators, each with its own phase
noise, and they have separate hardware phase-locked loops that will have drift
error signals independent of each other. Of course, more or less of this error
will track out within the constraints of the loop bandwidth and tracking ability
of the of the generator’s synthesizer (Figures 5 and 6). Typically, at frequencies
well within the loop bandwidth, the gain of the open-loop response is high, so
tracking is good. However, it is not perfect and may not completely track out
higher-order effects (Figure 5). Moreover, the achievable residual phase errors
tend to degrade substantially around the tracking loop bandwidth and allow
noncoherent phase variations (Figure 6). These phase variations multiply as the
10 MHz reference is converted to higher frequencies and therefore can result in
significant errors.

Phase variations
Source channel #2
Power
Tip #1: Use
common LO
Source channel #1 sources!
Power
Correlated noise
ime
(cancels)
v er t
Tip #1: Use to
if

phase stable e
dr

as
references! Ph

Un-correlated noise
noise

Tip #3: Use

VCO pha se

low phase noise

sources!
ise
no
P has e

ise
no
P has e Frequency
e Sources VCO
ois
en phase noise
ha s
Reference p (outside loop)
Frequency
Tracks
reference
phase & noise
(inside loop)

Figure 5. Phase variations between reference-locked signal sources track within the
limits of loop bandwidth of their PLLs. Performance is improved by using high quality
stable references and instruments with low phase noise, or by locking higher-frequency
references or LOs.

14
 Phase tracking
Time

Time Loop will not

track ‘high order’
responses

Loop will not

10 MHz Phase track outside
reference detector Amplifier LPF VCO loop bandwidth

Maximum

drift over time

rateof phase
Divider change with time
(frequency)
÷N or loop bandwidth
(inside loop)
P h a se
Phase

Phase

Figure 6. Phase tracking of signal source PLLs is generally good but not perfect and may
not be able to track higher-order phase variations.

The uncorrelated noise component of the signal source’s synthesizers will

contribute additional errors. Inside the loop bandwidth the phase noise is
dominated by the reference; however, outside the loop bandwidth the phase
noise is determined by the synthesizer’s oscillator (Figure 5). This uncorrelated
phase noise will contribute to the phase error between the reference-locked
signal sources.

To illustrate, the level of phase stability of two reference-locked sources can be

observed by measuring the close-in drift over time (Allan variances) and integrating
the phase noise. For example, Figure 7 shows phase-drift measurement results
for two Keysight MXG signal generators with locked 10 MHz references, measured
with a two-channel high frequency oscilloscope. Over a one-hour period more
than 20 degrees of drift is observed compared to less than 200 mdeg for a
correctly generated coherent solution.

15
 Phase coherent vs. reference locked configurations
MXG- Two source 10 MHz reference
locked configuration

Relative phase offset Most of the phase drift in the

(degrees) coherent case can be attributed
to the measuring receiver
(2 channel scope)

Time (minutes)
MXG- Two source phase coherent
configuration
Note the difference in the time and
phase offset scales

Relative phase offset

(degrees) Time (minutes)

Figure 7. Measured phase drift of two 10 MHz-locked MXG signal generators compared
to two coherently-locked MXGs (sharing a common LO).

The amount of phase error due to the noncoherent phase noise is determined
by integrating the phase noise of the synthesizer with integration limits set
equal to the bandwidth of the applicable signals used in the system. Figure 8
shows an example of a phase-noise measurement taken with the Keysight
PSA spectrum analyzer. Built-in integration-bandwidth markers facilitate the
measurement and can report the total phase error in degrees.

Integrated phase noise measurement

Figure 8. The total phase error due to phase noise between signal sources can be
determined by integrating the uncorrelated phase noise with integration limits set
equal to the bandwidth of the applicable signals used in the system.

16
Triggering the baseband AWG
A common approach to aligning the baseband generators (BBG) of multiple
VSGs is to use a common trigger to start the waveform playback (Figure 4).
However, if the two AWG sample clocks are not aligned, an error as large as the
time spacing between samples may occur even when triggered simultaneously.
This is because the starting sample will latch at the first rising edge of the sample
clock after the trigger. For example, an AWG with a sample clock of 50 MHz would
have 20 ns (1/50 MHz) between samples and therefore an alignment error could
result in up to 20 ns of error between signal waveforms from the two AWGs
when not synchronized correctly.

Further complications arise from the AWG’s use of oversampling. If, for instance,
an AWG with 50 MHz sampling clock is oversampling by a factor of four, the
oversample clock rate is 200 MHz. Every 50 MHz sample is interpolated onto four
oversampled points. It is therefore necessary to synchronize the oversampling
such that there is consistency between instruments in how each sample is
interpolated. To overcome these instrumentation problems, the following
sections will outline configuration options available from Keysight. These special
instrument features are designed to maximize phase stability, minimize phase
noise, and properly align BBGs to avoid common limitations encountered in
coherent signal generation.

Approaches to coherency problems

Available solutions can be grouped into two categories: phase-stable solutions

(or solutions with coherence greater than zero but less than 1 as defined
previously), and phase-coherent solutions. In general, phase-stable solutions
involve features and options that minimize the phase drift and phase-noise
errors. Phase-coherent solutions make it possible to share a common LO so
that phase instabilities become common between multiple signal generators.

Phase-stable solutions
The phase stability of reference-locked instruments is dependent on the
performance of the instrument used. In general, the phase stability between
high end instruments will be better than that of mid- or lower-performance
instruments due to superior phase noise, lower residual FM and better drift
specifications. Instrument selection is therefore a critical decision in achieving
the best performance. That said, within a class of instruments there may be
performance-enhancement options or features that can be selected to improve
the phase stability. For instance, instruments often provide options to improve
phase-noise performance, or improve the reference stability or enable the use
of a higher-quality external reference.

17
Phase-coherent solutions
Another approach to minimizing the sources of coherency error introduced
by imperfect synthesizers and PLLs is to use a phase-coherent solution that
effectively eliminates the relative phase errors by configuring the instruments
to use a common LO (Figure 9). The synthesizer still has drift and phase noise,
but because the drift and phase noise are common to both signals, the relative
phase instabilities are essentially removed. The LO signals are then multiplied
up separately to the desired frequency and used to drive separate in-phase and
quadrature-phase (I/Q) modulators. The phase instabilities contributed by the
multipliers and I/Q modulators are generally negligible. Having separate BBGs
and separate I/Q modulators driven with a coherent LO provides a very flexible
solution. This is because, in addition to being able to create multiple coherent
complex waveforms, the BBG can modify the phase of each signal. However,
the BBGs must be synchronized.

In Figure 9, the LO of the top signal generator is taken out, split and input as the
LO for both instruments. Alternatively, a separate synthesizer can be used as a
common LO for all instruments. This block diagram also shows how the BBGs
can be synchronized by connecting a common trigger used to start both AWGs
simultaneously. The BBGs also share a common external clock to ensure
alignment of the waveform samples.

Figure 9. Sharing a common LO between signal generators effectively eliminates the

relative phase errors between signals and provides full phase coherency. The LO may
be provided by using an external source or by distributing the “master LO” of one
instrument with other instruments.

18
Available Solutions from Keysight

In this section we will take at look at specific solutions available from

Keysight that address the special needs of coherent multi-channel test.

MXG and PSG with locked 10 MHz reference

Although phase coherence is not achieved with a simple 10 MHz reference-

locked configuration, there are options, features, and best practices available
to improve the stability of the phase between instruments. There are also some
advantages to a reference-locked system. In addition to simplicity, the system
will retain the flexibility to tune multiple sources to different frequencies.
Test systems that are locked at higher frequencies can lose this flexibility.

One of the first items to consider is the instrument’s performance. The residual
phase noise and phase drift of the generator’s synthesizer will have a direct
effect on the phase stability between reference-locked instruments.

The PSG signal generator offers an Option UNX, “ultra-low phase noise,” that
improves both phase noise and phase drift and is strongly recommended for
improving phase stability in a reference-locked configuration. Option UNX
provides the best phase-noise performance in a commercially available
microwave signal generator.

Another consideration is the performance of the frequency reference. Like

most signal generators, the MXG and PSG can use either an internal or external
reference. Using the highest quality reference available as the master refer-
ence will improve the relative phase stability in two ways: first, a high quality
reference will have less drift; second, the close-in phase noise for offsets less
than 1 kHz is dominated by the reference and therefore an improvement in the
reference phase noise directly improves the close-in phase noise and stability
(within the loop bandwidth of the loops that follow).

Typically, 10 MHz is used as the reference. However, the Keysight MXG has an
available Option 1ER that enables it to accept a reference from 1 MHz to 50 MHz,
allowing for a wider potential selection of available external references. This
is particularly helpful for locking to signals internal to products other than test
and measurement equipment, which are usually equipped with a non-10 MHz
reference port.

19
 With Option UNX, the PSG also provides an additional reference oscillator
bandwidth setting that can be used to optimize the phase noise at different
offsets. This setting includes the ability to make the adjustment for both internal
and external references.1 The reference bandwidth defaults to 125 Hz for the
internal reference and 650 Hz for an external reference. Increasing the reference
bandwidth (or loop bandwidth) causes the phase-noise performance to be
more dependent on the reference and narrowing causes more dependence on
the synthesizer hardware. Performance can therefore be optimized depending
on your confidence in the stability and phase noise of the reference versus the
synthesizer hardware for various frequency offsets from the carrier. For the
multi-channel scenario it is usually desirable to increase the loop bandwidth to the
widest setting because this increases the dependence of phase stability performance
on the reference, which is common to all signal generators (Figure 10). Another
advantage to widening the reference loop bandwidth is an increase in overall loop
gain, providing better close-in tracking of the reference, further improving short-
term phase stability.

Figure 10. The reference bandwidth setting on the PSG with Option UNX should be set to
the widest setting for best phase stability between reference-locked instruments.

Phase Stable PSG with 1 GHz locked reference

(Options H1S and H1G)

PSG Options H1S and H1G further improve the phase stability between sources
in a phase-stable system. An explanation requires some description of the
PSG’s reference hardware. The PSG’s synthesizer does not use the 10 MHz
reference directly; rather it includes an assembly that derives a 1 GHz reference
from the 10 MHz reference. This 1 GHz reference is then used to drive the
PSG’s YIG oscillator-based synthesizer. Options H1S and H1G provide a means
to bypass the entire internal reference and provide an external 1 GHz reference,
thereby eliminating the relative phase instabilities between the internal 1 GHz
reference boards of each PSG. Because different paths are used inside the PSG
for different frequencies, Option H1S is necessary for frequencies above 250 MHz
1. Found under the Utility > Instrument and Option H1G for frequencies below 250 MHz (Figure 16).
Adjustments > Reference Oscillator
Adjustment keys on the front panel.
20
With Options H1S and H1G it is also possible to improve the instrument’s
overall phase-noise performance. However, since the PSG’s internal 1 GHz
reference already provides outstanding overall phase-noise performance, the
external reference would need to have very high performance. The relative
phase instabilities (namely drift), however, are largely improved by sharing a
common 1 GHz reference (Figure 12). This is most conveniently done by using
one of the PSG’s internal 1 GHz reference as the master reference. Figures 11a
and 11b show two alternative configurations for sharing a common 1 GHz
reference. In Figure 11a, one PSG has Option UNX and the other has Option H1S.
Since an instrument with Option UNX includes a 1 GHz reference output, this
output can be connected to the 1 GHz reference input of the second unit with
Option H1S. Alternatively, if both instruments have Option H1S as in Figure 11b,
the 1 GHz reference of the master PSG can be divided and shared amongst
multiple PSGs. Although these options will improve the phase stability between
instruments, it does not provide full phase coherency.

Frequency reference configurations for phase stability
PSG with UNX and H1S PSG with UNX

RF out to CH 1
1 GHz in 1 GHz out RF out to CH 1
(H1S) (H1S) 10 MHz out
1 GHz out (UNX)

1 GHz in (H1S connector) 10 MHz in 1 GHz in (H1S connector)

(Terminate the H1S 1 GHz out

with 50 ohms)
10 MHz in
RF out to CH 2 RF out to CH2

PSG with H1S

PSG with UNX and H1S

Improved phase stability using two PSGs Improved phase stability using a PSG with
with Option H1S low phase noise Option UNX and
a PSG with Option H1S
1

Figure 11. PSGs Options H1S, H1G and UNX provide the ability to improve phase stability
between instruments by locking the 1 GHz reference.

Figure 12. Phase drift comparison of PSGs with 10 MHz reference locked versus 1 GHz
references locked (Option H1S).

21
 Coherent MXGs with shared LO (Option 012)
Keysight N5182A MXG RF
Vector Signal Generator The MXG with Option 012 provides a means to coherently lock multiple MXGs
together by sharing a common LO through jumpers provided on the back of the
instrument. Figure 13a shows a two-unit configuration. The master MXG LO out
of one instrument is connected to a two-way splitter. The outputs of the splitter
are then connected to the LO inputs of each instrument. Splitting the LO output to
more than two instruments, however, would cause too much loss to drive the LO
Features fast frequency, amplitude, inputs. Three or more MXGs will require an external master LO to provide
and waveform switching, high power sufficient amplitude of between 0 to 7 dBm (Figure 13b). In this scenario the
with an electronic attenuator, and signal generator used to generate the master LO must be manually controlled
high reliability – all in two rack units with its frequency set equivalent to the desired output frequency of the system.
(2RU). Keysight MXG vector provides Because the MXGs now share a common LO, the RF paths of the signal generators
better value for your investment by
are now fully coherent. However, it is also necessary to synchronize the MXG’s
increasing throughput, improving test
yield, maximizing uptime, and saving
baseband generators. The first step is to trigger the baseband generators of each
rack space. With scalable RF and MXG to start simultaneously using the Pattern Trigger input. A convenient trigger
baseband performance, the Keysight source is the Event 1 trigger (Figure 13). In its default state the MXG sends a
MXG vector is easily configured to rising-edge trigger out Event 1 at the start of the waveform when played. One
meet your specific test needs. MXG should be selected as master and the others designated as slaves. When
the master MXG begins to play its waveform it will then trigger the other
– 100 kHz to 3 or 6 GHz MXGs to play their waveforms. There will be some trigger delay but this will
– ≤ 1.2 ms switching speed in be compensated for by using the Multi BBG Sync feature of the MXG. For this
SCPI mode; ≤ 900 μs simultaneous feature to work, however, the BNC cables connecting the Event 1 trigger output
frequency, amplitude and to the Pattern Trigger in should be no more than 30 cm long (the recommended
waveform switching in list mode cable length is 23 cm). The 10 MHz references must also be connected.
– Internal baseband generator
(100 MHz RF BW; up to N5182A MXG phase coherency (Option 012)
125 Msa/s sample rate): Two unit configuration
arbitrary waveform only Master MXG
N5182A-012
– Supports coherent multi-channel Event 1 out

configurations with option RF out

LO out LO in
10 MHz out
GPIB/LAN 2 way splitter

Ref in

LO in
Patt trig in

RF out
Slave MXG
N5182A-012 Figure 13a

Phase coherency on N5182A MXG (Option 012)

3 to 16 unit configuration
N5181A Master MXG
Master LO LO in

4 way LAN RF output

splitter Event 1 10 MHz out
RF output
PATT TRIG Ref in Slave MXG(s)
LO in 1
RF output
LAN Event 1 10 MHz out

PATT TRIG Ref in

LO In 2
LAN RF output
LAN
Event 1 10 MHz out
PATT TRIG Ref in
LO in 3
RF output
LAN Figure 13b

Figure 13. These coherent multi-MXG configurations use shared LOs (Option 012).
2

22
 When a BBG receives a trigger, it will latch and start the waveform playback
on the next baseband clock cycle after the trigger. Because each BBG has its
own clock, the start time of each MXG will therefore be slightly different even
if precisely triggered. This difference, as well as any difference due to trigger
delay, is corrected using the N5182A MXG’s baseband timing-alignment feature.1
A setup screen will allow you to configure each instrument as either master or
slave (Figure 14). The automatic alignment feature will support up to 16 MXGs,
one master and 15 slaves. When you designate an instrument as a slave, the
arb trigger will automatically set to “external” and the trigger type set to “trigger
and run” to await the trigger input from the Event 1 output of the Master MXG.
You may receive an error message notifying you of this change when you first
designate the MXG as a slave; this is normal.

Figure 14. MXG with Option 012 includes the Multi-BBG Synchronization feature,
which is used to align the BBGs. One instrument should be designated as master
and the others as slaves.

With the BBG synchronization feature the alignment error will be within a
characteristic value of ±8 ns. If necessary, this minor delay can be reduced
further to picosecond resolution by manually measuring and adjusting the I/Q
delay. Figure 15 shows an example of measuring and making fine-alignment
adjustments by using a two-channel oscilloscope to capture the start of two
complex signals generated from two coherent MXGs.2

1. The alignment feature is turned on by

selecting [Mode], Dual Arb > Arb Setup >
More 1 of 2 > Multi-BBG sync setup > On.
2. The timing is adjusted by selecting [I/Q]
I/Q Adjustments > Internal Baseband
Adjustments > More > I/Q delay. For more
information on adjusting the delay, see “I/Q
Adjustments” in the Keysight MXG Signal
Generator User’s Guide.

23
 Now that the multi-MXG configuration is fully aligned and coherent, it may be
necessary or desirable to shift the phase of each signal relative to the other.
For example, you may wish to set the relative phase of each signal generator
to simulate an arriving wavefront. With a VSG this can be done using the BBG
by modifying the phase of the AWG waveform. Details on how to adjust the
phasing using the AWG waveform can be found in a section below. However,
with the MXG the built in I/Q phase shift feature can also be used to adjust
the phase without the need to modify the waveform file.1 Using this feature
allows independent control of the phase of each instrument relative to the other
instruments in the system. (This feature should not be confused with the analog
phase adjustment feature found under Freq > Mode > Adjust phase, which is
designed to shift the phase of an MXG signal in standalone operation and will
have no effect on the relative phase between instruments.)

Additional base-band delay

Figure 15. MXG with Option 012 includes Multi-BBG Synchronization feature used to align
the BBGs. Each instrument should be designated as master or slave.

1. This feature is found under the [I/Q] I/Q

adjustments > Internal Baseband
Adjustments > I/Q phase. Make sure I/Q
adjustment is turned on.

24
Coherent PSGs with shared LO (Options HCC)

A Keysight PSG with Option HCC provides the means to lock multiple PSG
signal generators coherently by sharing LOs similar to Option 012 on the MXG.
Option HCC works for signals above 250 MHz and is available on both the
analog (E8257D) and vector (E8267D) PSGs. Option HCC loops the LO paths out
the rear panel of the PSG using two pairs of connectors: one pair (LO input and
LO output) for the low-band path (250 MHz to 3.2 GHz), and another pair for the
high-band path (> 3.2 GHz) (Figure 16).

Figure 16. Option HCC provides access to PSGs LO from the rear panel for both low-band
and high-band paths. Option H1S and H1G provide the ability to use a 1 GHz reference.

The system is configured by connecting the LO outputs from a master PSG to a

distribution amplifier and then distributing the LOs back to the LO inputs of all
the PSGs, including the master (Figure 17). The distribution amplifier, referred
to as the “lock box,” is required to coherently split and amplify the LO signals
to supply adequate LO power to the LO inputs and is available from Keysight
as part number Z5623A. The lock box can be custom configured to support the
required number of instruments and LO paths.

25
 Figure 17. Simplified block diagram of coherently locked and synchronized PSG vector
signal generators.

With this configuration the PSGs are now coherent. For the analog PSG (or
vector PSG used in analog mode), the signals will be coherent with a static
phase shift or delay between signals due the differences in the delay paths of
each instrument. There is no built-in means to adjust the fixed delay or phase
shift between analog instruments. With the vector PSG the BBG can be used
to control the phase and time delay between instruments as well as generate
coherent complex signals. However, the BBGs must first be aligned and
synchronized. The vector PSGs are synchronized by simultaneously triggering
the baseband generators using the Pattern Trigger in, as explained for the MXGs.
The baseband triggers for all the slave instruments (and master if using a
separate master trigger source) should be set to “trigger and run” and “ext” so
that they will all start to play the waveform on the trigger event.1

For convenience, the Event 1 trigger of the master PSG can be used as the
master trigger for all of the slaves. In the factory default state, the Event 1
trigger output will send a trigger at the start of the waveform. Hence, when the
master PSG starts to play a waveform the Event 1 trigger occurs and starts the
slave PSGs simultaneously. However, due to the trigger delay of the Event 1 trigger
(typically around 50 ns), the waveforms won’t be fully aligned without other
adjustments. The PSG does not have an automatic multi-BBG sync setup feature
like the MXG; it is therefore generally recommended to use a separate external
trigger source with equal length cables to trigger all the PSGs simultaneously.

1. This can be set by selecting [Mode]Dual

Arb > Trigger Type > Continuous > Trigger
and Run; [Mode]Dual Arb > Trigger
Source > Ext.
26
 Although the instruments are simultaneously triggered, there will still be some
alignment error between the BBGs if the baseband clocks are not synchronized,
as explained previously in the Approaches to Coherency Problems section and
the MXG Option 012 section. Unlike the MXG solution, however, the PSG does
not have a built-in BBG synchronization function. However, the PSG’s BBG does
allow for an external BBG clock source to ensure the BB clock samples are
aligned. The external clock input must be a continuous wave (CW) signal with
frequency of 200 to 400 MHz and should have an amplitude of approximately
0 to 6 dBm. The PSG will use the baseband clock to oversample by a factor of four.
As an example, an input of 400 MHz will result in a sample rate of 100 MSa/s.

Because the PSGs are now sharing a common baseband clock, the latch time
of all BBGs will occur simultaneously on trigger input and will be fully synchro-
nized and aligned with one exception. The exception has to do with how the
waveform sample points are interpolated onto the oversampled points. Because
the PSG uses four-times oversampling, each sample point is converted into
multiple oversampled points. This may or may not occur consistently between
each PSG and may result in small alignment errors at four discreet time offsets
of 2.5 ns at the full sample rate of 100 MSa/s. These will vary each time the
waveforms are started. Currently, the only way to correct for this offset is by trial
Keysight N8241A Arbitrary and error, repeatedly restarting the waveform or using the “Align DACs” function
Waveform Generator until the waveforms align.

Now that the multi-PSG configuration is fully aligned and coherent, it may be
necessary or desirable to shift the phase of each signal relative to each other.
This can be done by modifying the BBG waveform files. A description of how to
do this is included below.

The Keysight N8241A arbitrary Coherent PSG with shared LO (Options HCC, 016)
waveform generator combines the
unprecedented performance of
and synchronized external wideband AWG (N8241A)
Keysight’s AWGs with the unsurpassed
flexibility of scalable modules. High The vector PSG (E8267D) with internal AWG BBG provides up to 80 MHz of
sampling rates of either 1.25 GSa/s bandwidth. If wider bandwidths are required the PSG can be configured with
or 625 MSa/s, and high bit resolution Option 016 to work with the N6030A or N8241A wideband AWG to provide
enable designers to create ideal up to 1 GHz of bandwidth for frequencies from 3.2 GHz to 44 GHz. For this
waveforms for accurate test of radar,
case, the PSG’s LOs should be distributed and configured as described above.
satellite, digital-radio and frequency-
agile systems.
The wideband AWGs should also be aligned and synchronized. This is done
by using the Marker Out 2 trigger output of one of the AWGs as the master
– LXI class-A compliant to simultaneously trigger each AWG waveform playback and by sharing the
– Simultaneously delivers 1.25 GSa/s baseband clocks. Since the N6030A and N8241A each have two channels—
and 15 bits of vertical resolution one for I and one for Q—the clocks for each channel should be shared. The
– Optional dynamic sequencing rest of the system should be configured in the same way a standard PSG with
direct digital synthesis (DDS) engine external wideband AWG is configured—by connecting the differential outputs of
– Dual-channel, single-ended and channels one and two of the AWG to the differential I and Q inputs provided on
differential outputs with 500 or the rear of a vector PSG with Option 016. A complete connection block diagram
250 MHz of instantaneous analog
bandwidth per channel
with configuration for two PSGs and two wideband AWGs is shown in Figure 18.
– Compatible with the E8267D
PSG vector signal generator
for generating 1 GHz bandwidth
to 44 GHz

27
 For 1 GHz bandwidth signals below 3.2 GHz, Option H18 is required and works
by adding an additional downconverter to the PSG to reconvert the wideband
signals to frequencies below 3.2 GHz. However, because the Option H18 down-
converter uses a separate LO the system would not be fully coherent. However,
it would be phase-stable.

10 MHz out E8267D

N8241A
Master
Master

Wideband
differential IQ in
Marker 3 Marker 4
Coherent
RF out
ALC hold Pulse in

N8241A N8241A 0.25 - 3.2 - 0.25 - 3.2 -

3.2 GHz 10 GHz 3.2 GHz 10 GHz
IN
LAN
OUT
Master Slave
Z5623AKxx
Controller

Ext ref In E8267D

Slave
N8241A
Slave

Wideband
Marker 3 Marker 4 differential IQ in Coherent
RF out
ALC hold Pulse in

Figure 18. These are the connections for two coherent wideband VSGs using an E8267D
PSG and an N8241A external AWG.

Z2090B-3xx single or multi-channel coherent signal simulator

The Z2090B multi-channel coherent signal simulator system is available from

Keysight as a turnkey solution. The Z2090B is built to order based on customer
requirements and can be configured with two or more PSG signal generators
and wideband AWGs.

28
Modifying the Baseband Arbitrary Generator Waveform File
to Add a Phase Shift
A VSG is a very flexible tool for waveform creation. In a coherent multi-channel
system the flexibility of the AWG can be used to create a desired phase delay
between signals. This section will discuss how to modify a waveform file to
create a phase delay between two waveform files.

The waveform file consists of I/Q pairs of data that describe the voltage level
of a waveform in the real and imaginary coordinates for points in time. The
waveform can therefore be described in complex terms:

A = I + jQ

I and Q are arrays of voltage levels.

The magnitude of the waveform is then >A>

  = (I2 + Q2)

AThe phase is θ += jtan

=>A>(cos I/Q
-1
sinθ)

The waveform can be described in polar coordinates as A =>A>(cos θ + j sinθ)

A phase offset of Φ can be added by modifying the above to

A =>A>(cos (θ + ϕ) + j(sin θ + ϕ))

Mathematically, this can be done for all I/Q points by multiplying

 
>A>(cos θ + jsin θ) by (cosϕ + jsinϕ)

The resulting waveform file can then be converted back to the A' = I' + jQ'
form using the formulas

I' = |A'|cosθ'
Q' = A |'|sinθ'

Scaling the amplitude |A’| may be necessary if it must remain equal to the
original amplitude |A|.

The resulting I’ and Q’ pairs can then be loaded back into the BBG or AWG.
This computation can be easily performed using a tool such as MATLAB. The
waveform can be readily downloaded into the MXG or PSG using the Keysight-
provided download assistant available at www.keysight.com/find/psg.

29
Which System Do I Need?

At this point it is common to ask, “Which system is sufficient for my needs?”

Do you need a coherent system, phase-adjustable system or a simple phase-
stable system? Do you need a PSG configuration, or will a more economical
MXG system suffice?

Many variables will affect the answer to these questions, not the least of which
is the performance requirements of the system you are designing or testing.
Other factors include the technology you are working with and the type of
tests or simulations you are performing. While it is impossible to provide a full
answer, some common use cases and suggested configurations are offered.

Use case Suggested instrument configuration

Simple MIMO receiver stimulus 10 MHz-locked MXGs

MIMO receiver channel estimation Coherent MXGs with Option 012

algorithm verification

Simulations for direction-finding equipment Coherent PSGs with Option HCC UNX

Providing test LOs for multi-stage coherent PSG with Option H1S and UNX
converters in high end military equipment

Beam forming for radar application Coherent PSGs with Option HCC and UNX

Beam forming for commercial Coherent MXGs with Option 012 or

SDMA application phase-stable PSGs with Option H1S

Simulation for commercial switched- 10 MHz-locked MXGs

diversity system

Simulation for military switched- PSG with Option H1S and UNX
diversity system

DADE algorithm development for MXGs with Option 012

diversity system

30
Conclusion

With multi-channel technologies becoming more common, the need to

accurately and efficiently create test signals to exercise these systems is
of growing importance.

In this application note we have discussed the test challenges for multi-channel
systems and the reasons that coherent systems are needed; we have outlined
key differences between phase-stable sources, phase-coherent systems and
phase-adjustable coherent systems.

We’ve presented a number of solutions available from Keysight including

10 MHz reference-locked signal generators, 1 GHz reference-locked signal
generators, signal generators that share common LOs, and vector signal
generators that use synchronized BBGs to control the phase.

We have also offered some suggested test configurations to be used for

different applications

Whatever your needs may be, Keysight offers leading products to suit your
product or mission requirements.

Contact your local Keysight representative for more information on the right
products for your needs.

31
32 | Keysight | Signal Source Solutions for Coherent and Phase Stable Multi-Channel Systems - Application Note

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© Keysight Technologies, 2010 - 2014
Published in USA, July 31, 2014
5990-5442EN
www.keysight.com