1Introduction
The Berkeley Nucleonics VSG-Mini-6 is a compact, USB-powered vector signal generator covering 9 kHz to 6 GHz. It is the second vector signal generator in the BNC RF and microwave line. The instrument generates continuous-wave, swept, and vector-modulated signals, and it takes both power and data over a single USB Type-C connection.
A 16-bit DAC and an FPGA-based interpolator produce clean output with 100 MHz of modulation bandwidth and 125 MB of IQ memory. Standard functions include single-tone output, frequency sweep, power sweep, stored IQ playback, and real-time IQ streaming. An optional built-in GNSS receiver provides timing, positioning, and frequency calibration.
This manual describes the instrument's features, its control software, and its complete specifications. The VSG-Mini-6 operates on Windows and Linux hosts, on both x86 and ARM processors, which makes it suitable for benchtop, automated, and embedded use.
Definitions
- Guaranteed: warranted performance, verified by design and production test under the stated specification conditions.
- Typical: expected mean performance, not a warranted limit.
Note. Power and data both run over USB Type-C. The power input accepts the PD protocol at 12 V / 3 A as standard, with a working voltage range of 9 to 12 V. The data link is USB 3.0, and runs at USB 2.0 bandwidth when the host supplies only 5 V / 1 A.
2Key Features
- Frequency: 9 kHz to 6 GHz continuous coverage.
- Modulation bandwidth: 100 MHz RAM playback, 50 MHz continuous streaming.
- Memory depth: 125 MB (32 M samples) of built-in IQ memory.
- SSB phase noise: -124 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset on a 1 GHz carrier.
- Output power: up to 14 dBm maximum; minimum to -100 dBm or below across the range.
- Converter: 16-bit DAC with an FPGA-based high-performance interpolator.
- Interface: USB 3.0 / 2.0 over Type-C, with PD power on the same connector.
- Timing: optional built-in GNSS for timing, positioning, and frequency calibration.
- Hosts: Windows and Linux, on x86 and ARM processors.
3Control Software
The VSG-Mini-6 is driven from a host application, a Vector Signal Studio. The interface gathers the controls into named panels: a menu bar, an RF parameter area, mode selection, mode parameters, and a status line. Critical settings and real-time feedback share one window, so an operator can move from setup to result without leaving the screen. A documented API exposes the same control to C/C++, C#, Python, and MATLAB, and integrates with Qt, LabVIEW, and GNU Radio.
User interface and amplitude modulation
The main window exposes frequency, level, and mode in a single view. The amplitude modulation panel sets the modulation rate, depth, and shape, and the right-hand rail switches between AM, FM, Pulse, AWGN, digital modulation, DSSS, OFDM, playback, and streaming modes.
RF frequency and power sweep
The software supports single-point, frequency-sweep, and power-sweep modes. Start, stop, step, center, span, and amplitude are set directly, which lets the instrument run an automated frequency response or a compression-point test under host control.
Real-time IQ playback
The playback panel loads a stored IQ file and streams it continuously, either from host memory or from the buffer on the instrument. Buffered playback uses higher signal bandwidth and offloads the host, while real-time playback streams from the host without first writing to memory. Replay mode holds the maximum waveform length at the limit of the internal memory.
Digital modulation output and analysis
The instrument generates a broad set of digital modulation schemes, including ASK, FSK, PSK, and higher-order QAM up to 1024 QAM, with DSSS and OFDM for advanced waveforms. The analysis view returns the constellation, eye diagram, and modulation metrics so a generated signal can be checked in place.
Analog AM and FM output and analysis
For classic analog work the software covers AM and FM generation with control over modulation frequency, depth, and frequency deviation. The analysis panel measures modulation depth, rate, distortion, SINAD, and carrier power, which supports receiver test and analog system verification.
Pulse signal output and analysis
Integrated pulse generation gives precise control over timing-sensitive signals. Period, duty cycle, and pulse width are configured directly, and the pulse-versus-time view with its per-pulse table supports the accurate simulation of pulsed RF and radar scenarios.
4Frequency
| Parameter | Specification | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 9 kHz to 6 GHz | ||
| Frequency resolution | 0.1 Hz analog tuning, ≤1 uHz digital tuning | ||
| LO switching time | ≤100 us pre-programmed; ≤50 ms software controlled | ||
| Reference clock | Internal or external, manual correction or GNSS calibration is available | ||
| Frequency accuracy | |||
| TCXO (std.) | <0.5 ppm, manual correction is available | ||
| OCXO (opt.01) | <0.2 ppm, manual correction is available | ||
| OCXO frequency correction via GNSS | ≤0.05 ppm, when GNSS is locked | ||
| Aging and temperature stability | |||
| TCXO (std.) | ≤1 ppm/year, ≤1 ppm | ||
| OCXO (opt.01) | ≤1 ppm/year, ≤0.15 ppm | ||
| Built-in GNSS 1PPS accuracy | ±100 ns | ||
5Spectrum Purity
SSB phase noise (dBc/Hz)
| Carrier frequency | 1 GHz | 3 GHz | 6 GHz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kHz | -115 | -105 | -98 |
| 10 kHz | -124 | -114 | -108 |
| 100 kHz | -126 | -116 | -110 |
| 1 MHz | -138 | -128 | -122 |
Harmonics, spurious and EVM
| Parameter | Condition | Specification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmonics (CW, 0 dBm) | |||
| 100 MHz | ≤-45 dBc | ||
| 1 GHz | ≤-50 dBc | ||
| 3 GHz | ≤-60 dBc | ||
| 6 GHz | ≤-75 dBc | ||
| Non-harmonic spurious | 1 MHz steps size and 20 MHz observation bandwidth | ||
| Spurious levels are ≤-80 dBc for approximately 98% of frequency points | |||
| Worst-case spurious ≤-55 dBc | |||
| EVM (Typical) | |||
| 1 GHz | ≤0.3% 1MSPS QAM 16, Alpha = 0.35; ≤0.5% 10MSPS QAM 64, Alpha = 0.35 | ||
| 6 GHz | ≤0.5% 1MSPS QAM 16, Alpha = 0.35; ≤1.0% 10MSPS QAM 64, Alpha = 0.35 | ||
6Amplitude
| Parameter | 9 kHz | 100 MHz | 1 GHz | 3 GHz | 6 GHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. output power (dBm) | ≥0 | ≥7 | ≥14 | ≥14 | ≥7 |
| Min. output power (dBm) | ≤-100 | ≤-100 | ≤-100 | ≤-100 | ≤-100 |
| Parameter | Condition | Guaranteed / Typical | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power accuracy | |||
| Output power ≥-45 dBm | ±1.2 dB / 0.7 dB | ||
| Output power -80 dBm to -45 dBm | ±1.5 dB / 1.2 dB | ||
| Output power -100 dBm to -80 dBm | ±2.0 dB / 1.8 dB | ||
| Power setting step size | 0.1 dB | ||
7Signal Processing
| Parameter | Specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard function | Single-tone, Frequency sweep, Power sweep, IQ playback, Real-Time IQ playback | |
| Modulation bandwidth | 100 MHz RAM playback, 50 MHz continuous streaming | |
| Built-in memory depth | 125 MB (32 M samples) | |
| IQ sampling rate | 195.3125 kHz to 125 MHz, step size ≤10 Hz | |
| Basic modulation signal generation | ||
| APSK | 16APSK | |
| ASK | 2ASK, 4ASK, 8ASK | |
| FSK | 2FSK, 4FSK, 8FSK, 16FSK | |
| QAM | 16 QAM, 64 QAM, 256 QAM, 1024 QAM | |
| PSK | BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16PSK, DBPSK, DQPSK, D8PSK, Pi/4 DQPSK | |
8General Characteristics
Input and output
| Parameter | Specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Type-C, PD protocol (12 V/3 A std.). Voltage range 9 to 12 V, Ripple <200 mVpp | |
| Data | Type-C, USB3.0 (USB2.0 bandwidth limited). Requires 5 V/1 A power supply | |
| RF output | N(F), Output impedance 50 Ω | |
| External reference clock input | MMCX(F), Amplitude ≥1.5 Vpp, Input impedance 330 Ω | |
| Reference clock output | MMCX(F), Output impedance 50 Ω, 100 MHz | |
| External trigger input | 3.3 V CMOS, Input high impedance | |
| External trigger output | 3.3 V CMOS | |
| GNSS antenna input | SMA (F) | |
| Power consumption | ≤16 W | |
| Overall / core weight | ≤360 g / ≤120 g | |
Physical and environmental
| Parameter | Specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall / core dimensions (L × W × H) | ≤163 x 66 x 37 mm / ≤63 x 60 x 15 mm | |
| System requirements | ||
| Linux | aarch64, x64 | |
| Windows | x64 | |
| Operating / storage temperature (Ambient) | ||
| T0 class (std.) | 0 to 50 °C / -20 to 70 °C | |
| T1 class (opt.40) | -20 to 65 °C / -40 to 85 °C | |
| T2 class (opt.41), only core | -40 to 65 °C / -40 to 85 °C | |
| Packaging accessories | Flash disk × 1, USB 3.0 data cable × 1, USB power cable × 1, Power adapter × 1 | |
Specification conditions. Specifications apply under the following conditions: (1) 10 min warm-up after power-on. (2) Ambient temperature 25 °C (instrument temperature 50 °C). (3) With adequate cooling ensuring both ambient and core temperatures remain within the rated range.
9Options
| Code | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Built-in OCXO reference clock | built-in hardware |
| 05 | Built-in high precise GNSS | built-in hardware |
| 40 | T1 temperature class | built-in hardware |
| 41 | T2 temperature class, only available for core | built-in hardware |