The Rohde & Schwarz SME03/3E is a high-performance RF signal generator with a frequency range from 5 kHz to 3.0 GHz. This variant features digital modulation capabilities (including the SME-B3 Digital Modulation Coder option, hence the '3E' designation), making it ideally suited for testing digital mobile radio receivers. It combines traditional analog modulation (AM, FM, φM, pulse) with digital formats such as GMSK, GFSK, QPSK, π/4-DQPSK, and FSK, and is known for its excellent spectral purity, fast frequency settling times, and highly precise level control.
Specifications
Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Frequency | 5 kHz |
| Maximum Frequency | 3.0 GHz |
| Frequency Resolution | 0.1 Hz |
Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Output Power | +13 dBm (up to +19 dBm with overrange) |
| Output Power Range | -144 dBm to +13 dBm |
| Phase Noise | <-116 dBc/Hz (at 20 kHz offset, 1 GHz carrier) |
Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Modulation | AM, FM, Phase Modulation (φM), Pulse Modulation, Digital Modulation (I/Q, GMSK, GFSK, QPSK, π/4-DQPSK, OQPSK, FSK, MSK) |
| Sweep Modes | RF Sweep, LF Sweep, Level Sweep |
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reference Oscillator | 10 MHz (standard crystal oscillator; high-stability oven-controlled crystal oscillator available as option SME-B1) |
| Interfaces | GPIB (IEEE-488.2) |
| Display | LCD backlit graphic screen |
| Instrument Setup Memory | 50 complete instrument configurations |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V AC (nominal), 47 Hz to 440 Hz |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 427 mm × 177 mm × 525 mm (without handles/feet) |
| Weight | 18 kg |
Frequency & Reference Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Settling Time | < 10 ms |
| Reference Frequency Temperature Stability | < 2 × 10^-6 (0 °C to 55 °C) |
| Reference Frequency Aging Rate | < 1 × 10^-6 / year |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 10 MHz (or 1 MHz to 16 MHz in 1 MHz steps) |
| External Reference Input Level | 0.1 V to 2 V RMS |
| External Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
Amplitude & Level Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Level Resolution | 0.1 dB |
| Level Uncertainty | < 0.5 dB (for levels > -127 dBm, f < 1.5 GHz) |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) | < 1.5 (for f <= 1.5 GHz), < 1.8 (for f > 1.5 GHz) |
| Overload Protection Level | 50 W (RF), 35 V (DC) |
| Level Settling Time | < 25 ms |
Spectral Purity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Harmonics | < -30 dBc (at levels <= +10 dBm) |
| Non-harmonics | < -76 dBc (at >10 kHz carrier offset, f < 1.5 GHz) |
| Residual FM | < 1 Hz (RMS, f = 1 GHz, 0.3 kHz to 3 kHz bandwidth) |
| Residual AM | < 0.02% (RMS, 0.03 kHz to 20 kHz bandwidth) |
| Wideband Noise | <-140 dBc/Hz (at >10 MHz carrier offset) |
Analog Modulation Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AM Depth Range | 0 to 100% |
| AM Resolution | 0.1% |
| AM Distortion | < 1% (at 30% depth, f = 1 kHz) |
| AM Frequency Response | DC to 50 kHz (DC-coupled, 3 dB bandwidth) |
| FM Resolution | 10 Hz to 100 Hz (deviation-dependent) |
| FM Distortion | < 0.1% (at 1 kHz, 40 kHz deviation) |
| Phase Modulation Deviation Range | 80 rad (for f < 1.5 GHz), 160 rad (for f >= 1.5 GHz) |
| Phase Modulation Distortion | < 1% (at 1 kHz, 10 rad deviation) |
| Phase Modulation Frequency Response | DC to 100 kHz (DC-coupled, 3 dB bandwidth) |
| Pulse Modulation On/Off Ratio | > 80 dB |
| Pulse Modulation Rise/Fall Time | < 20 ns |
| Pulse Repetition Frequency Range | DC to 10 MHz |
| Internal Modulation Source Frequencies | 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz |
Digital & Vector Modulation Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Digital Modulation Symbol Rate Range | 200 Hz to 1.5 MHz (with Option SME-B3) |
| I/Q Modulator Bandwidth | DC to 5 MHz (3 dB bandwidth) |
| I/Q Input Connectors | BNC female, 50 Ω (front panel) |
Rear & Front Panel Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Output Connector | N-type female, 50 Ω (front panel) |
Physical, Power & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C to +55 °C |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
Internal Modulation Source
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LF Generator Frequency Range | 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz |
| LF Generator Frequency Resolution | 0.1 Hz |
| LF Generator Waveforms | Sine, square, triangular |
| LF Generator Output Voltage Range | 1 mV to 1 V |
| LF Generator Distortion | < 0.1% (0.1 Hz to 100 kHz) |
| LF Generator Output Connector | BNC female |
Interfaces & Software
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Command Set | SCPI |
Power Supply
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply Voltage Range | 90 V to 260 V (AC) |
| Power Supply Frequency Range | 47 Hz to 440 Hz |
LF Generator
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LF Generator Output Impedance | < 10 Ω |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface Standard | IEEE 488.2 |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Reference Input Impedance | 50 Ω |
Technology
RF Analog and Vector Signal Generation
Applications
Receiver testing for digital and analog mobile radio networks