Microchip announces a new generation of phase noise analyzers

     Microchip Technology has announced a new generation of phase noise analyzers, model 53100A. This phase noise tester enables researchers and manufacturing engineers to more accurately measure frequency signals, including those generated by atomic clocks, as well as those generated by other high-frequency reference modules and subsystems.

     The new 53100A phase noise analyzer is designed for engineers and researchers. Their work relies on accurate measurement of frequency signals from 5G networks, data centers, commercial and military aircraft, space vehicles, communications satellites and metrology test applications. Capable of detecting RF signals up to 200 MHz, this new test instrument captures frequency signals quickly and provides fast and accurate characterization of phase noise, frequency jitter, Allen deviation (ADEV) and time deviation. All the features of the frequency of interest can be characterized with just one analyzer and a few minutes.

     The Model 53100A phase noise analyzer supports multiple configurations and can simultaneously detect three different signals under test with one reference signal for improved test capability and stability. With a compact size of just 344 x 215 x 91 mm (13.5 x 8.5 x 3.6 inches), the device is easily integrated into a variety of automated test equipment (ATE) systems, while being powerful enough to perform laboratory-level metrological testing. The Model 53100A analyzer's interface is backward compatible and shares the same command and data streams with Microchip's 51xxA series test suite, greatly reducing the need for a redesign of existing ATE infrastructure.

     The Type 53100A phase noise analyzer is very flexible in use, the reference device can be accessed through the front panel, and the frequency scale can be different from the device under test, so that different oscillators can be characterized with the same reference. Devices that can be used as reference include rubidium atomic frequency markers (such as Microchip's 8040C-LN) or quartz oscillators (such as Microchip's Model 1000C constant Temperature Crystal Oscillator (OCXO)), and precision oscillators from other manufacturers are also supported.