# Rohde & Schwarz SMF100A Microwave Signal Generator (Pre-Owned)

# Rohde & Schwarz SMF100A Microwave Signal Generator (Pre-Owned)

## Key Features At A Glance

-   Frequency coverage from 100 kHz to 43.5 GHz depending on the installed frequency option (SMF-B122/B144 with SMF-B2)
-   0.001 Hz frequency setting resolution with phase offset adjustable in 0.1° steps
-   Output level from −130 dBm to +30 dBm with the SMF-B26/-B27 step attenuator option, 0.01 dB resolution
-   Analog and digital modulation (AM, FM, φM, pulse, ASK, FSK, PSK) via the SMF-B20 modulator option
-   Optional narrow pulse modulation (SMF-K3): <10 ns rise/fall above 1 GHz, >80 dB ON/OFF ratio
-   SSB phase noise <−115 dBc at 10 GHz, 10 kHz offset with the SMF-B1 OCXO reference (1 Hz bandwidth)
-   Standard 10/100BaseT Ethernet (LAN); removable GPIB (IEEE 488) and USB available as options
-   SCPI command set with optional internal pulse generator, pulse train, ramp sweep, and power analysis

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S®SMF100A is a microwave signal generator built around a single base platform that is ordered with one of two frequency options: the SMF-B122 covering 1 GHz to 22 GHz or the SMF-B144 covering 1 GHz to 43.5 GHz, with the SMF-B2 frequency extension option lowering the start frequency to 100 kHz. Frequency can be set with 0.001 Hz resolution across the range, and phase offset is adjustable in 0.1° steps.

A microwave signal generator produces a precise, controllable RF carrier that serves as a known stimulus for testing and characterizing components, receivers, and systems. The quality of that source — its frequency accuracy, output level control, spectral purity, and modulation flexibility — directly governs the confidence an engineer can place in the resulting measurement.

ValueTronics supports the R&S®SMF100A from our own 20,000-square-foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois, where we stock and hold our inventory. Every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received from the manufacturer. Holding our own stock since 1992 lets us match the right frequency option and condition to your application.

## Brand Heritage

Rohde & Schwarz was founded in 1933 in Munich by Lothar Rohde and Hermann Schwarz. It remains a privately held, independent company that has operated continuously under the same name since its founding, with no major corporate rebranding or acquisition of the brand.

## Accessories Supplied

-   Power cable
-   Quick start guide
-   CD-ROM (with operating and service manual)

## Product Core & Specifications

Specification

Value

Frequency

Range (R&S SMF-B122)

1 GHz to 22 GHz

Range (R&S SMF-B122 with R&S SMF-B2 frequency extension option)

100 kHz to 22 GHz

Range (R&S SMF-B144)

1 GHz to 43.5 GHz

Range (R&S SMF-B144 with R&S SMF-B2 frequency extension option)

100 kHz to 43.5 GHz

Resolution of setting

0.001 Hz

Setting time (to within <1 × 10–7 for f ≥ 375 MHz or <150 Hz for f < 375 MHz, after IEC/IEEE bus delimiter)

<4 ms, typ. 2 ms

Phase offset

adjustable in 0.1° steps

Frequency Step Sweep

Operating modes

digital sweep in discrete steps; automatic, step, single sweep, external single, external step, external start/stop, manual or external trigger, linear or logarithmic spacing

Sweep range

full frequency range

Step width (linear)

full frequency range

Step width (logarithmic)

0.01 % to 100 % per step

Step time range

2 ms to 10 s

Step time resolution

0.1 ms

Ramp Sweep (R&S SMF-K4 option)

Operating modes

analog frequency sweep; automatic, step, single sweep, external single, external step, external start/stop, manual or external trigger

Sweep span range

zero to full frequency range

Maximum sweep rate, 100 kHz ≤ f < 375 MHz

175 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 375 MHz ≤ f < 750 MHz

87.5 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 750 MHz ≤ f < 1.5 GHz

175 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 1.5 GHz ≤ f < 3 GHz

350 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 3 GHz ≤ f < 11 GHz

700 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 11 GHz ≤ f < 21 GHz

1400 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 21 GHz ≤ f ≤ 22 GHz (with R&S SMF-B122)

1400 MHz/ms

Maximum sweep rate, 21 GHz ≤ f ≤ 43.5 GHz (with R&S SMF-B144)

2800 MHz/ms

Frequency accuracy

(0.005 % of span)/(sweep time/s)

Sweep time range

10 ms to 10 s

Sweep time resolution

0.1 ms

Number of frequency markers

10

MARKER output (BNC)

TTL signal, selectable polarity

X-AXIS output (BNC)

sawtooth signal 0 V to 10 V, output can drive ≥1 kΩ

Reference Frequency

Aging (after 30 days of uninterrupted operation)

<1 × 10–8/day, <1 × 10–6/year

Aging (with R&S SMF-B1 option)

<5 × 10–10/day, <3 × 10–8/year

Temperature effect (0 °C to +55 °C)

±1 × 10–6

Temperature effect (with R&S SMF-B1 option)

±6 × 10–9

Warm-up time to nominal thermostat temperature

≤10 min

Output for internal reference signal, frequency

10 MHz or external input frequency

Output for internal reference signal, level

typ. 5 dBm

Output for internal reference signal, source impedance

50 Ω

Input for external reference, frequency

1 MHz to 20 MHz (in steps of 1 MHz)

Input for external reference, maximum deviation

3 × 10–6

Input for external reference, input level limits

≥−6 dBm, ≤19 dBm

Input for external reference, recommended input level

0 dBm to 19 dBm

Input for external reference, input impedance

50 Ω

Electronic tuning from input (EFC), sensitivity

typ. 4 × 10–9/V to 3 × 10–8/V

Electronic tuning from input (EFC), input voltage

−10 V to +10 V

Electronic tuning from input (EFC), input impedance

typ. 10 kΩ

Level

Setting range without attenuator (R&S SMF-B26/-B27 option)

–20 dBm to +30 dBm

Setting range with attenuator (R&S SMF-B26/-B27 option)

–130 dBm to +30 dBm

Minimum specified level (PEP), without attenuator

–20 dBm

Minimum specified level (PEP), with attenuator

–130 dBm

Resolution

0.01 dB

Output impedance VSWR (ALC ON), 100 kHz ≤ f ≤ 2 GHz

typ. <1.4

Output impedance VSWR (ALC ON), 2 GHz < f ≤ 22 GHz

typ. <1.6

Output impedance VSWR (ALC ON), 22 GHz < f ≤ 43.5 GHz

typ. <1.8

Setting time without attenuator (after IEC/IEEE bus delimiter)

<3 ms

Setting time with attenuator (attenuator mode AUTO)

<25 ms

Back-feed, maximum permissible RF power in output (1 GHz ≤ f ≤ 43.5 GHz)

0.5 W

Back-feed, maximum permissible DC voltage

0 V

Maximum Specified Level, R&S SMF-B122 frequency option (PEP)

1 GHz ≤ f < 11 GHz

without B32: +16 dBm (without attenuator) / +14 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +25 dBm (without attenuator) / +23 dBm (with attenuator)

11 GHz ≤ f < 21 GHz

without B32: +14 dBm (without attenuator) / +12 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +23 dBm (without attenuator) / +21 dBm (with attenuator)

21 GHz ≤ f ≤ 22 GHz

without B32: +12 dBm (without attenuator) / +10 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +22 dBm (without attenuator) / +20 dBm (with attenuator)

Maximum Specified Level, R&S SMF-B122 and R&S SMF-B2 options (PEP)

1 GHz ≤ f < 11 GHz

without B34: +16 dBm (without attenuator) / +14 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: +24 dBm (without attenuator) / +22 dBm (with attenuator)

11 GHz ≤ f < 16 GHz

without B34: +14 dBm (without attenuator) / +12 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: +23 dBm (without attenuator) / +21 dBm (with attenuator)

16 GHz ≤ f < 21 GHz

without B34: +12 dBm (without attenuator) / +10 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: +21 dBm (without attenuator) / +19 dBm (with attenuator)

21 GHz ≤ f ≤ 22 GHz

without B34: typ. +12 dBm (without attenuator) / typ. +10 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: +20 dBm (without attenuator) / +18 dBm (with attenuator)

Maximum Specified Level, R&S SMF-B144 frequency option (PEP)

1 GHz ≤ f < 11 GHz

without B32: +14 dBm (without attenuator) / +12 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +25 dBm (without attenuator) / +23 dBm (with attenuator)

11 GHz ≤ f < 16 GHz

without B32: +11 dBm (without attenuator) / +9 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +22 dBm (without attenuator) / +20 dBm (with attenuator)

16 GHz ≤ f < 21 GHz

without B32: +10 dBm (without attenuator) / +8 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +19 dBm (without attenuator) / +17 dBm (with attenuator)

21 GHz ≤ f < 36 GHz

without B32: +11 dBm (without attenuator) / +9 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +16 dBm (without attenuator) / +14 dBm (with attenuator)

36 GHz ≤ f ≤ 40 GHz

without B32: +11 dBm (without attenuator) / +9 dBm (with attenuator); with B32: +14 dBm (without attenuator) / +12 dBm (with attenuator)

100 kHz ≤ f < 300 kHz

without B34: typ. +13 dBm (without attenuator) / typ. +13 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: typ. +13 dBm (without attenuator) / typ. +13 dBm (with attenuator)

300 kHz ≤ f < 1 GHz

without B34: +16 dBm (without attenuator) / +15 dBm (with attenuator); with B34: +16 dBm (without attenuator) / +15 dBm (with attenuator)

> **Important:** Back-feed (from a ≥50 Ω source): maximum permissible RF power in the output 0.5 W; maximum permissible DC voltage 0 V.

> **Important:** The base unit (R&S SMF100A) can only be ordered together with an R&S SMF-B122 or R&S SMF-B144 frequency option — a frequency option is required for operation.

> **Important:** Only two of the three R&S SMF-B83/-B84/-B85 options can be installed simultaneously.

> **Important:** The R&S SMF-B1 OCXO reference oscillator option cannot be installed together with the R&S SMF-B22 enhanced phase noise performance option (not required).

> **Important:** The R&S SMF-K27 Pulse Train option requires the R&S SMF-K23 pulse generator option.

> **Important:** The maximum specified level applies in the temperature range from +15 °C to +35 °C; outside this range, the maximum specified level is typical from 0 °C to +15 °C and typically degrades by less than 2 dB from +35 °C to +55 °C.

> **Important:** The instrument complies with class A emission requirements (EN 55011) and is suitable for use in industrial environments; it may not be operated in residential, commercial and business areas or in small-size companies unless additional measures are taken to ensure EN 61000-6-3 compliance.

> Recommended pairing: use the R&S®NRP-Z81 wideband power sensor with the SMF-K28 power analysis option to run power-vs-frequency, power-vs-power, and power-vs-time measurements.

## About this Pre-Owned unit

This pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships and is backed by our pre-owned warranty. To confirm its exact condition, firmware revision, installed options, or included accessories for your application before ordering, contact our Test Architects.

-   Warranty included
-   Functional verification included
-   Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
-   Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

ValueTronics supplies both new and used test and measurement equipment. New units ship factory-sealed, exactly as received from the manufacturer; every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house at our 20,000 sq ft secure facility in Elgin, Illinois before it ships. Our Test Architects can help you select the condition, calibration, and configuration that fit your application.

**Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.**

## Details

- **Price:** 0.0 USD - 630.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Rohde & Schwarz
- **Type:** Rf Gen
- **Tags:** Manufacturers, product_manual_group_1, Product_used, RF, Rohde & Schwarz, Signal Generators

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| None | 0.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable | 490.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable with Full Data | 525.00 USD | In stock |
| ISO IEC 17025 Accredited | 630.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Rohde & Schwarz SMF100A Microwave Signal Generator (Pre-Owned)

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> Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/smf100a-rohde-schwarz-rf-generator-used)
> Updated: 2026-07-06
