Marconi IFR Aeroflex FS1000 Fast Switching Synthesizer

The Marconi IFR Aeroflex FS1000 Fast Switching Synthesizer is a RF signal generator engineered for rapid frequency switching and exceptional signal purity in demanding automated test environments. Spanning 4.5 MHz to 6.01 GHz with 2 Hz resolution and sub-100-microsecond switching times, the FS1000 delivers phase noise as low as -145 dBc/Hz across optimized frequency bands. Built for wireless communications, mobile device testing, Bluetooth characterization, radar simulation, and electronic warfare applications, it combines laboratory-grade signal integrity with production-line reliability.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 4.5 MHz to 6.01 GHz


• Frequency Resolution: 2 Hz


• Step Size: 2 Hz (4.5 MHz to 4000 MHz), 4 Hz (4000 MHz to 6010 MHz)


• Switching Time: Less than 100 microseconds to within 1.0 radian of final phase


• Switching Time Between Ports: Less than 5 microseconds Signal Purity


• Phase Noise: -130 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (1.0 GHz); -145 dBc/Hz at 50 kHz offset (4.5 to 180 MHz)


• Spurious Levels: Greater than -65 dBc


• Harmonics: -25 dBc maximum


• Residual FM: Less than 7 Hz (4 to 2000 MHz), less than 16 Hz (2000 to 4000 MHz), less than 32 Hz (4000 to 6010 MHz) Output Characteristics


• Output Power: +7 dBm


• Power Flatness: ±1.5 dB


• Output Isolation: 25 dB minimum between ports


• VSWR: 1.8:1


• On/Off Ratio: Greater than 25 dBc External Reference


• Reference Frequency: 10 MHz


• Reference Input Level: +3 dBm ±4 dB


• Reference Output Level: +3 dBm ±2 dB, 50 Ω

Key Features

• Dual-port configuration with independent RF output switching


• Parallel BCD frequency control with strobe and trigger architecture


• Remote RF on/off control and output fault monitoring


• Full 3U rack-mount chassis design


• Mean Time Between Failures exceeding 8,500 hours

Typical Applications Wireless communications systems, mobile network device testing, Bluetooth-enabled product validation, radar simulation, electronic warfare systems, and RF component characterization.

Compatibility & Integration Designed for integration into automated test equipment (ATE) systems requiring deterministic frequency switching and phase-coherent signal generation.