FAQs from Rohde & Schwarz

Spurious signals during RF level sweep

Description:

The IQ modulator of SMBV100B and SMW200A has different optimization modes, one is the “High Quality” mode which does a frequency response correction by using an internal signal source. Every time the RF power level gets changed across a certain range, the instrument internally switches to another signal path which triggers a new frequency response measurement.

Why could this matter ? For example, if GNSS mode is turned on it automatically switches to “High Quality” optimization mode and spurious signals temporary appear across the entire instrument bandwidth every time the RF output level gets changed across a certain range.

Spurious signals during RF level sweep

Resolution:

The solution would be to select optimization mode “Fast” which doesn’t perform a correction. Due to this, a manual level adjustment could be required to compensate the uncorrected frequency response, depending on how far the signal is away from center frequency.

Article related to SMBV100B firmware 4.70.006.33SP1 (March 2020)