Figure 1 PureWave Photonic Microwave Oscillator.
QuSine, a spin-off from the Heinz Nixdorf Institute at the Univerity of Paderborn, Germany, introduces the QuSine PureWave Photonic Microwave Oscillator (PMO) product family. Designed to redefine precision in RF signal generation, the PureWave PMO series offers excellent phase noise performance, critical for today’s advanced applications in telecommunications, radar systems, quantum computing, aerospace and beyond. With specifications that surpass conventional electronic signal generators, the QuSine PureWave PMO, with an example shown in Figure 1, sets new benchmarks for signal clarity, stability and precision across a broad frequency range.
The QuSine PureWave PMO offers performance metrics designed to address the most demanding requirements in RF and microwave applications:
- Phase noise: At 10 GHz, the PureWave PMO achieves a measured value of -154 dBc/Hz at a 100 kHz offset.
- Jitter: The oscillator boasts a jitter of just 6.3 femtoseconds over a 1 kHz to 100 MHz frequency range for excellent timing precision.
- Frequency range: The product family covers a range from 3 to 60 GHz, with 250 MHz intervals, offering flexibility for a variety of applications.
- Output power range: The output power range is selectable from -20 to +13 dBm.
- Operating temperature range: Optimized for laboratory and high-precision environments, the PureWave functions best in the temperature range of 18°C to 23°C.
This combination of specifications makes the QuSine PureWave PMO a best-in-class solution for high performance RF signal generation where phase noise and signal stability are paramount requirements.
The PureWave PMO leverages a photonic-based architecture for signal generation. In a conventional RF signal generator, a microwave oscillator phase locks to a low noise electronic reference oscillator, typically an oven-controlled quartz oscillator. By phase-locking, the microwave oscillator inherits the phase noise characteristic of the low frequency electronic reference. Optical oscillators such as mode-locked lasers or optical frequency combs generate optical pulse trains, which offer significantly better phase noise than any electronic oscillator technology. In QuSine’s PMO, the microwave oscillator phase locks to an optical reference oscillator, inheriting the superior phase stability of the optical oscillator. This new concept ensures outstanding phase noise and jitter.
The oscillator phase noise is much better than most conventional RF signal generators. With its exceptional jitter performance, the QuSine PureWave PMO series ensures that even demanding applications like high speed data converters and precise timing systems can rely on its stability and performance.
By offering different frequencies, the QuSine PureWave PMO family addresses various applications. These include next-generation telecommunications technologies to precise laboratory measurements and aerospace communication systems. Table 1 shows the phase noise for different frequency options available from the PureWave PMO family.
Users can select from the available frequency ranges for their specific requirements. The oscillator output power, ranging from -20 to +13 dBm, can be chosen to customize signal strength for particular application needs. The adaptability of the PureWave PMO family ensures that it can meet the exacting demands of any project, whether it be in a research environment or an industrial setting.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR PHASE NOISE
Figure 2 10 GHz phase noise performance comparisons.
Achieving ultra-low phase noise is the cornerstone of the PureWave PMO design. The product’s phase noise at 10 GHz is over 10 dB better than the best laboratory-grade RF signal generators, allowing for highly accurate and trustworthy measurements. Figure 2 shows phase noise comparisons at 10 GHz for QuSine products versus an industry benchmark.
Phase noise is a critical factor in many applications that prioritize signal purity. In radar systems, low phase noise improves range and resolution by enhancing the radar’s ability to distinguish between nearby objects and reducing clutter. Using Doppler measurements to distinguish slow-moving targets from the environment is easier with superior phase noise performance. In wireless communications, low phase noise generally improves the receiver’s signal to noise ratio and error vector magnitude, reduces reciprocal mixing with interferers and improves signal integrity in multi-carrier modulation schemes. Broadband digital-to-analog converter digital-to-analog converter and analog-to-digital converter precision degrades with clock jitter, so reducing clock jitter can improve the effective resolution of these devices.
APPLICATIONS
The QuSine PureWave PMO addresses a wide range of applications that require high-precision signal generation:
- Radar systems: The phase noise and jitter performance improve signal resolution and target detection capabilities in radar applications.
- Telecommunications: The broad frequency range and stable signal generation enhance the performance of next-generation communication systems, ensuring high-quality, low-error data transmission.
- Quantum computing: Quantum systems require precise timing and low noise environments to operate effectively. The jitter and phase noise performance aids in controlling qubits and maintaining system coherence.
- Aerospace and satellite communication: The wide frequency range and robust output power ensure stable and reliable data links, even in challenging environments, for high frequency communication systems in aerospace applications.
- Test and measurement: The PureWave PMO offers the precision and flexibility needed for accurate testing and measurements in RF and microwave technology research and development.
CONCLUSION
The QuSine PureWave PMO is a high performance addition to the RF signal generator market. With its ultra-low phase noise, minimal jitter and wide range of frequency options, the PureWave PMO series offers high precision and flexibility for various applications. By leveraging photonic technology, QuSine has been able to push the boundaries of what is possible in microwave signal generation, making the PureWave family the best-in-class choice for advanced research, telecommunications, radar, quantum computing and more.
For engineers, researchers and developers looking for a high performance, reliable signal generator, the QuSine PureWave PMO provides the ultimate solution. As technologies continue to evolve and demand even greater precision, the PureWave series allows users to stay ahead of the curve. It offers the low noise, high frequency performance needed to drive innovation in a wide range of industries.
QuSine
Potsdam, Germany
qusine.com
