PicoSource AS108 Agile Synthesizer

Professional and portable performance at low cost

The PicoSource™ AS108 Agile Synthesizer is designed to meet the needs of both benchtop and integrated module applications. Its broad 300 kHz to 8 GHz frequency range, fast settling and programmable phase, frequency and amplitude match it to a wide range of applications, with the added advantages of low cost, small footprint and 12 to 15 V power requirement. 

The AS108 has professional-grade performance that is effective in both static and parameter-agile applications, making it a bench or field instrument for developers, scientists, educators, students, and service and installation technicians. Its speed, external clock referencing, trigger capabilities and user programmable power-up mode all suit it to system integrations such as automated test, unmanned installations and multi-signal stimulus.

The AS108 is a full-function USB-controlled vector (IQ) modulating signal synthesizer. It is supplied with a clean, easy and efficient user interface for controlling its amplitude, frequency and phase agility; including modulations, sweeps, hopping and list modes from Microsoft Windows. Multiple synthesizers can be controlled from multiple instances of the software running on a single controlling PC or device. Remote control is also possible using the API included.

Key Features:

• 300 kHz to 8 GHz operation
• –15 dBm to +15 dBm dynamic range
• Fast 55 μs frequency settling time to 10 ppm
• Fast amplitude settling: < 25 μs to 1 dB and < 200 μs to 0.1 dB
• Sweep, hop and list of frequency and level or phase and level
• −100 dBc/Hz phase noise typical at 1 GHz and 10 kHz offset

Powerful and capable

• FM, ØM and AM modulation, internal sine or external input
• Configurable stand-alone operation mode
• External reference clock I/O and trigger I/O
• Use sweep lists to emulate schemes such as QPSK, QAM, ASK, FSK
• Adjustable dwell and trigger sweep or trigger next point modes
• Work in and convert units of measure to suit application
• Programming examples for LabVIEW, C, C#, Python, MATLAB
• Suited to bench, field and system integration applications
• USB-controlled from Windows PC and display or tablet
• Touch, mouse, keyboard or remote interface software (API included)
• Multi-unit operation with synchronized modulation, sweeps, hops and lists

Remote control operation

The PicoSource AS108 is supplied with a DLL that allows you to control the device from C and C-compatible languages and applications such as C++, C#, Python, Keysight VEE, National Instruments LabVIEW and MathWorks MATLAB. See the PicoSource AS108 Programmer’s Guide for details.

Multiple device operation

You can control multiple AS108 signal synthesizers from a single PC by running multiple instances of the PicoSynth 2 software. Each time you start a new instance of PicoSynth 2, it will list all compatible connected devices that are not yet being controlled. You can then select any device in the list for connection. 

Demonstration mode

The “User Interface Demo” device is always available in this list and allows PicoSynth 2 to run for demonstration purposes without a connected device. You can use this mode to try out the software before buying a device.