RFT-4200 Series:
Wideband Upconverter with multiple BW’s
A Different Approach to Microwave Upconverters
All of Syntonic’s Microwave Upconverters offer continuous tuning as high as 40 GHz. Syntonic’s RFT-4200 Series also gives the user complete control over the input frequency and bandwidth, power to start with an IF frequency and bandwidth that matches in the exact input characteristics of the downstream equipment. Overall, this gives the operator total control to:
- Tune to any Output Frequency up to 40 GHz
- Tune to any IF Input Frequency from 50 to 2000 MHz
- Select BW from 6 choices up to 2 GHz

Features and Options
RFT-4290 Shown Here with Configuration Options

RFT-4200 Series: Microwave Upconverter with Agile IF
Set-up is as simple as:
Tune to any RF Output
up to 40 GHz
Tune to any IF Input
up to 2 GHz
Select any BW
from 50 to 2000 MHz
RF Output
Configuration
Choices
RF Output | |
Primary Output choose one | 1.0-18 GHz 1.0-26.5 GHz |
Secondary Output options | 18-26.5, 26.5-40, 18-40 GHz |
Low Output option | tune down to 100 MHz |
Primary Output. The Primary Output can be configured to span the basic range covering 1 to 18 GHz, with possible extensions going down to 100 MHz or up as high as 26.5 GHz.
Secondary Output. The Secondary Output is typically used for millimeter outputs, ranging up to 26.5 or 40 GHz. The outputs can be configured with overlap. For instance, the Primary can go as high as 26.5 GHz and the Secondary can start as low as 18 GHz, enabling two sources with overlapping frequency ranges to be supported.
IF Input
Configuration
Choices
IF Input | |
IF Input center frequencies | 50-2000 MHz, tunable in 10 kHz steps |
Selectable BWs (3 dB BW) | RFT-4280: 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz RFT-4290: 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz |
Level Control | 10-30 dB Gain, 1 dB steps |
Agile IF Input. The Primary Input is tunable by the user, covering a range from 50 to 2000 MHz in 10 kHz steps. The minimum recommended tuning frequency varies by what Bandwidth setting the user has applied. The frequency agility gives the user total control of the IF, to accommodate a wide range of input frequencies.
BANDWIDTH
Choices
Models | Bandwidth |
Model RFT-4280 | 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz |
Model RFT-4290 | 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz |

Phase Noise
Details
Our standard Microwave RFT-Series Frequency Converters have excellent phase noise, as shown in the diagram.
With option -LN, improvements by as much as 20 dBc/Hz can be obtained, as well as stability within 0.1 ppm.

PHASE
COHERENT

Our Microwave RFT-Series Frequency Converters are available in a variety of phase-coherent configurations, supports such modes as “shared LO” and “Master/Slave”.
The phase coherent converters can also be configured for stand-alone or coherent operation, so as needs shift the equipment continues to meet user’s needs.


Housing
Options
Choose a chassis. Off-the-shelf choices include a:
- 19″ Rack Mount chassis (typically 1RU);
- Benchtop chassis that is 2U high and a 1/2 rack width across, or;
- Ruggedized chassis, such as our ATR/Half-ATR enclosure.

GUI and SCPI-based
Interfaces
All RFT-4200 Series Microwave Converters have a complete SCPI-based command-set accessible over a choice of Ethernet or Serial Ports.
GUI solutions are Browser-based and usable on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.

Terminal Support
In addition to the Browser-based GUI, each RFT is equipped with a serial port and can support terminal communications.
SCPI-based commands are send and received, providing another human-readable user interface.
What’s at the Heart of Our Microwave Tuners and Downconverters?
Our World-Class Microwave Synthesizer, the DS-3000.
- Tunes to 20 GHz
- Steps in 1 Hz
- Switches as fast as 200 uSec
- Offers extremely low phase noise, with <-116 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz when tuned to 10 GHz

Key Specifications
Models | |
RFT-4280 | BW’s: 1000, 500, 200, 100, and 50 MHz |
RFT-4290 | BW’s: 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, and 50 MHz |
RF Output | |
Primary Output choose one | 1.0-18.0 GHz 1.0-26.5 GHz |
Optional Secondary Output | 18-26.5 GHz 26.5-40 GHz 18-40 GHz |
Optional Low Band Output | tunes down to 100 MHz |
Tuning Step Size | 10 kHz |
Tuning Speed | 2 ms |
IF Input | |
IF Input Tuning Range | 50-2000 MHz |
IF Tuning step size | 10 kHz steps |
Selectable BWs (3 dB BW) | RFT-4280: 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz RFT-4290: 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 MHz |
Gain | 10-30 dB, 1dB Steps |
LOs And Reference | |
System Phase Noise, typ | <0.5 deg RMS, 100 Hz to 10 MHz |
Frequency accuracy, internal reference | 0.5 ppm or better |
External Reference Input | 10 MHz, 0 dBm +/-3 dB |
System Reference | Auto sensing, locks to external if present |
Reference Output | 10 MHz, synchronous with reference in use |
Power | 90-240 VAC, Auto sensing <40W typ, 1-18 GHz Model |
General | |
Basic Control | Front Panel |
Remote Ports | via RS-232 & Ethernet |
Control Methods | SCPI-based command set Browser-based GUI |
Controlled Parameters | Input Frequency Output Frequency Bandwidth Gain Setting IP Settings |
Ordering Information
Model | Name | |
RFT-4280 | Base Unit, 1000 MHz max BW | Tuner, 1.0 to 18 GHz |
RFT-4290 | Base Unit, 2000 MHz max BW | Tuner, 1.0 to 18 GHz |
Options: Input Extensions | ||
FXT-003 FXT-004 FXT-005 | For Primary or Secondary Input | Extends input to 26.5 GHz Extends input to 40 GHz Extends input down to 100 MHz |
Other Factory Options | ||
-LN | Improves Phase Noise | Up to 20 dB improvement in near-in phase noise, and increases stability to 0.1ppm |
-M, -S | Master/Slave Option | Enables converter to be used either as an independent, stand-alone converter, or paired into a Master/Slave configuration. |
-C | Phase Coherent Option | Dual Converters with shared LO’s for Phase Coherent outputs |
-2U | Benchtop Chassis | Utilizes Syntonic’s 2U High, 1/2 Rack Chassis |
Configure
Syntonic Microwave’s Wideband Tuner has been designed for a multi-purposed and multi-project workspace. Virtually every feature of the Tuner is customizable.
Configure yours in the form below to receive a quote.