Skip to content

The Anritsu 69A and 68B Series — known as the El Toro family of synthesized microwave generators — comprises 120 models spanning CW, sweep, signal, and combined sweep/signal generator configurations. The series covers 10 MHz to 65 GHz in a single coaxial output, with waveguide extensions reaching 110 GHz. The product family is organized into four functional tiers (68000B/69000A CW generators, 68100B/69100A sweep generators, 68200B/69200A signal generators, and 68300B/69300A sweep/signal generators), with the 69A family providing ultra-low single-sideband phase noise performance and the 68B family providing the same capabilities at moderate cost.
The El Toro generators are designed for local oscillator replacement, component analysis, signal simulation, and automated test equipment (ATE) applications. The 69000A and 68000B CW generators serve LO replacement duty with CW or step sweep operation. The 69100A and 68100B sweep generators support network analysis and swept ATE source applications with analog, step, and manual sweep capability. The 69200A and 68200B signal generators provide AM, FM, and pulse modulation via external signals or internal arbitrary waveform generators for signal simulation work — including doublet, triplet, and quadruplet pulses for radar blind spot testing.
ValueTronics International has supported microwave test and measurement labs since 1992 from our 20,000 square foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Each El Toro generator that passes through our facility is inspected and performance-verified by our in-house technicians before shipment, and condition reports document what was found rather than what the previous owner claimed. Unlike pass-through brokers and drop-shippers, we hold physical inventory, manage our own testing process, and stand behind every unit we ship — which is the difference between a documented professional measurement instrument and a marketplace listing.
Wiltron Company, a respected US RF and microwave instrument manufacturer, was acquired by Anritsu Corporation of Japan in 1990. The El Toro synthesizer family was originally developed under the Wiltron brand and the product literature in this era carried the combined 'Anritsu Wiltron' identification. Subsequent generations of these instruments were sold under the Anritsu name alone following the brand consolidation. Used 69A and 68B series units may bear either Anritsu or Anritsu Wiltron front-panel branding depending on manufacture date — both reference the same product family with the same model numbering and the same calibration and service path through Anritsu.
The El Toro 69A and 68B family is structured around four functional configurations — CW Generator, Sweep Generator, Signal Generator, and Sweep/Signal Generator — each available in two performance tiers. The 69A models provide ultra-low SSB phase noise for applications where carrier purity is the governing specification. The 68B models provide the same architectural features at moderate cost where the phase noise floor of the 68B series is sufficient for the measurement.
Within each functional configuration, model numbers indicate frequency coverage: the last two digits encode the maximum frequency (37 = 20 GHz, 45 = 500 MHz to 20 GHz, 47 = 10 MHz to 20 GHz, 53 = 26.5 GHz with 2 GHz lower limit, 59 = 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz, 63/69 = 40 GHz variants, 77 = 50 GHz, 87 = 60 GHz, 97 = 65 GHz). The first two digits indicate the functional tier (680 or 690 = CW, 681 or 691 = Sweep, 682 or 692 = Signal, 683 or 693 = Sweep/Signal).
Each pre-owned El Toro model below is its own product page with condition-matched pricing. The configurations differ in frequency range, modulation capability, sweep architecture, and SSB phase noise tier — select the specific model and frequency coverage that matches your measurement application before reviewing pricing.
The four functional tiers differ in modulation and sweep capability. CW generators (68000B/69000A) provide step sweep and power sweep but lack analog sweep and internal modulation generators. Sweep generators (68100B/69100A) add analog sweep capability and external AM, FM, and pulse modulation inputs. Signal generators (68200B/69200A) add internal AM, FM, and pulse generators with seven waveform types but omit analog sweep.
The 69A and 68B tiers differ primarily in phase noise performance. At 10 kHz offset from a 10 GHz carrier, 69A models specify −100 dBc/Hz versus −83 dBc/Hz for 68B models. The difference is visible in close-in spurious measurement, adjacent-channel rejection testing, and any application where carrier purity directly affects measurement accuracy. The comparison table below shows the headline specifications across the available frequency configurations.
| Model | Frequency Range | Type | Max Output Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68245B | 0.5 to 20 GHz | Signal Generator | +13 dBm |
| 68037B | 2 to 20 GHz | CW Generator | +13 dBm |
| 68045B | 0.5 to 20 GHz | CW Generator | +13 dBm |
| 68047B | 0.01 to 20 GHz | CW Generator | +13 dBm |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Category | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| CW Mode | Output | Twenty independent, presettable CW frequencies (F0 to F9 and M0 to M9) |
| CW Mode | Accuracy | Same as internal or external 10 MHz time base |
| CW Mode | Internal Time Base Stability | With aging: <2 x 10⁻⁸/day (<5 x 10⁻¹⁰/day with Option 16); With temperature: <2 x 10⁻⁸/°C over 0°C (<2 x 10⁻¹⁰/°C with Option 16) |
| CW Mode | Resolution | 1 kHz (0.1 Hz with Option 11) |
| CW Mode | Switching Time | <40 ms to be within 1 kHz of final frequency (typical maximum) |
| Analog Sweep (69100A, 69300A) | Sweep Width | Independently selected from 1 MHz to full range continuous sweep |
| Analog Sweep | Accuracy | The lesser of ±30 MHz or (±2 MHz widths) for sweep speeds of ≤50 MHz/ms |
| Analog Sweep | Sweep Time Range | 30 ms to 99 seconds |
| Phase-Locked Step Sweep | Sweep Width | Independently selected, 1 kHz (0.1 Hz with Option 11) to full range. Every frequency step in sweep range is phase-locked. |
| Phase-Locked Step Sweep | Resolution | 1 kHz (0.1 Hz with Option 11) |
| Phase-Locked Step Sweep | Steps | Number of steps: Variable from 1 to 10000 |
| Phase-Locked Step Sweep | Dwell Time Per Step | Variable from 1 ms to 99 seconds |
| Phase-Locked Step Sweep | Switching Time | <15 ms + 1 ms/GHz step size or <40 ms, whichever is less (typical max.) |
| Markers | Setting | Up to 20 independent, settable markers (F0 to F9 and M0 to M9) |
| Markers | Video Markers | +5 V or -5 V marker output, selectable. AUX I/O connector, rear panel |
| RF Output | Levelled Output (without attenuator) | Maximum levelled power to -15 dBm (-20 dBm typical). With Option 15: minimum settable power is -5 dBm (-10 dBm typical). |
| RF Output | Levelled Output (with attenuator) | Maximum levelled power to -115 dBm (-120 dBm typical). For ≥50 GHz and Option 15 units: minimum -105 dBm (-110 dBm typical). |
| RF Output | Unleveled Output (without attenuator) | >40 dB below max power |
| RF Output | Unleveled Output (with attenuator) | >130 dB below max power |
| RF Output | Power Level Switching Time (no atten change) | <1 ms typical |
| RF Output | Power Level Switching Time (with atten change) | <20 ms typical |
| RF Output | Output Power Resolution | 0.01 dB |
| RF Output | CW Power Sweep Resolution | 0.01 dB/step |
| Remote Operation | GPIB Interface Function Subset | SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP1, DC1, DT1, C0, C1, C2, C3, C28, E2 |
| General | Warm-up Time (standard time base) | From standby: 30 minutes; From cold start (0°): 120 hours to achieve <2 x 10⁻⁸/day frequency stability |
| General | Warm-up Time (Option 16 time base) | From standby: 30 minutes; From cold start (0°): 72 hours to achieve <5 x 10⁻¹⁰/day frequency stability |
| General | Power | 90 to 132 Vac or 180 to 264 Vac, 49 to 440 Hz, ≤400 VA |
| General | Dimensions | 429 (W) x 133 (H) x 597 (D) mm [16.875 (W) x 5.25 (H) x 23.5 (D) in.] |
| General | Mass | ≤23 kg (50 lb) |
| General | RF Output Connector | Type K female (≤40 GHz models), Type V female (>40 GHz models) |
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.
Model No
Anritsu
Condition
Used
Manufacturer
Anritsu
Frequency
20 GHz
Request A Quote