RFQ/Demo
Application Brief

5G / 6G & Wireless

Vector signal generation and wideband, low-phase-noise sources for FR1, FR2 millimeter-wave, and emerging 6G component and receiver test.

RF & Microwave Signal Generators · 5G / 6G
Model 875 vector signal generator

The Mission

Wireless development now spans sub-6 GHz FR1, millimeter-wave FR2, and the early reach toward 6G frequencies. Across all of it, engineers test amplifiers, front-end modules, and receivers against realistic modulated signals. The source has to produce both clean continuous-wave references and standards-based vector waveforms, then move quickly between frequencies as automated test sequences run.

The Challenge

Modern wireless modulation is unforgiving of a noisy or distorted source. High-order QAM and wide channel bandwidths push error-vector magnitude budgets tight, so the generator's own phase noise and modulation quality directly limit how good a result you can measure. The work also reaches into millimeter-wave, which rules out any source that stops in the low gigahertz. Vector capability and wide frequency coverage both have to be on the table.

Recommended Berkeley Nucleonics Solutions

The Model 875 is the vector signal generator for this domain, with internal I/Q modulation, standards-based digital modulation (including 3GPP, GSM/EDGE, and CDMA2000), and coverage to 40 GHz that reaches FR2 millimeter-wave bands. Its 1, 2, 3, or 4 phase-coherent channels support MIMO and multi-port front-end test.

For clean wideband CW references and blocker generation, the Model 855B delivers up to eight phase-coherent channels with the family's highest output power (+25 dBm). The Model 845 covers 100 kHz to 26.5 GHz with full analog modulation for component and IF work, and the Model 865B provides a compact, low-phase-noise bench source to 40 GHz for receiver and converter characterization.

Frequency coverage of the recommended sources against the 3GPP 5G NR frequency ranges Bar chart, 0 to 55 gigahertz. 3GPP FR1 spans 410 megahertz to 7.125 gigahertz and FR2 spans 24.25 to 52.6 gigahertz. Model 875: 10 megahertz to 40 gigahertz, vector modulation, up to 4 phase-coherent channels. Model 855B: 300 kilohertz to 40 gigahertz, up to 8 channels, +25 dBm. Model 865B: 100 kilohertz to 40 gigahertz, low phase noise. Model 845: 100 kilohertz to 26.5 gigahertz, full analog modulation. 3GPP range 5G NR FR1 FR2 (mm-wave) 875 875: 10 MHz – 40 GHz · vector / I-Q modulation · up to 4 phase-coherent channels 10 MHz – 40 GHz · vector / I-Q modulation · up to 4 phase-coherent channels 855B 855B: 300 kHz – 40 GHz · up to 8 channels · up to +25 dBm 300 kHz – 40 GHz · up to 8 channels · up to +25 dBm 865B 865B: 100 kHz – 40 GHz · low phase noise CW 100 kHz – 40 GHz · low phase noise CW 845 845: 100 kHz – 26.5 GHz · full analog modulation 100 kHz – 26.5 GHz · full analog modulation 0 10 20 30 40 50 frequency (GHz)
Frequency coverage of the recommended sources against the 3GPP 5G NR frequency ranges FR1 (410 MHz to 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 to 52.6 GHz). Top-of-family versions, from the current datasheets.

Why It Works

The 875 generates the standards-based vector waveforms wireless test actually needs, so the bench can drive a real modulated signal rather than a bare tone. Low phase noise across the family keeps the source out of the EVM budget, which is what lets you certify high-order modulation with confidence. Coverage to 40 GHz reaches FR2, and the shared coherent multi-channel architecture supports MIMO and multi-antenna scenarios from a single instrument.

Getting Started

Berkeley Nucleonics applications engineers help match the right source, channel count, and options to your test plan. Tell us your frequency span, switching budget, and channel needs, and we will recommend a configuration and arrange a demo.

Contact info@berkeleynucleonics.com or call 800-234-7858. Browse the full family on the RF & Microwave Signal Generators documentation page.