Comb Generators Selection Guide
Comb Generator Selection Guide
Selecting the right reference source for conducted and radiated EMC system checks
A known source makes the complete measurement chain visible
A comb generator produces a repeatable series of spectral lines at known frequency intervals. When it is measured from a controlled location with documented antenna, cable, preamplifier and receiver settings, it becomes a practical baseline for checking the health of an EMC measurement system before an equipment-under-test result is accepted.
The value is not limited to annual calibration. A reference source can reveal day-to-day changes caused by a damaged cable, incorrect receiver setting, weak battery, altered antenna geometry, preamplifier problem, connector fault or chamber change. It can also support laboratory comparisons, shielding investigations, training and troubleshooting.
Comb generator versus broadband noise source
A broadband noise source fills the band continuously. A comb generator produces discrete, recognizable lines. The continuous source can expose behavior between frequency points; the comb source makes individual frequencies easier to recognize and trend. Neither approach is automatically superior for every task. The correct choice depends on what the laboratory needs to verify.
How to choose
1. Start with the measurement path: conducted, radiated or both.
2. Match the characterized frequency range and distance—not merely the highest detectable harmonic.
3. Choose spacing that provides enough diagnostic points while maintaining useful high-frequency signal level.
4. Select the output format: LISN/ISN interface, coaxial output with external antenna, or integrated characterized radiator.
5. Review calibration data, antenna arrangement, operating time, charging method and repeatable mounting before purchasing.
Current models
The following visual guide consolidates the current model families reviewed from EMC Instruments, Tekbox, Schwarzbeck and Seibersdorf Laboratories. Click a linked model name to open its Absolute EMC page. Where no page was located, the entry is marked accordingly.
EMC Instruments (EMCI)
|
Product |
Frequency |
Frequency Step |
Suggested Application |
Specifications |
Accessories |
|
|
5 MHz-1 GHz 10 MHz-1 GHz 25 MHz-6 GHz |
5 MHz 10 MHz 25 MHz |
RE |
Output: SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole antenna, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
5 MHz-1 GHz |
5 MHz / 10 MHz selectable |
RE |
Output: SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole antenna, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
10 MHz-7.5 GHz |
10 MHz / 100 MHz selectable |
RE |
Output: SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole antenna, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
100 MHz-7.5 GHz |
100 MHz |
RE |
Output: SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole antenna, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
10 kHz-30 MHz |
10 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
CE |
CG10/500 outputs: IEC 320 C14, RJ11 and RJ45. CG-10/500L: IEC 320 C14 only. Rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
100 kHz-400 MHz |
100 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
CE |
Outputs: IEC 320 C14, RJ11 and RJ45; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
CE: 10 kHz-30 MHz; RE: 5/10 MHz-1 GHz |
CE: 10 kHz / 500 kHz; RE: 5 MHz / 10 MHz selectable |
CE and RE |
Outputs: IEC 320 C14 and SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole, earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
CE: CG10L: 10 kHz-108 MHz CE: CG100L: 100 kHz-108 MHz RE: both to 7.5 GHz |
CE: 10 or 100 kHz / 500 kHz RE: 10 MHz / 100 MHz selectable |
CE and RE |
Outputs: CE: LISN interface & BNC and RE: SMA female RE output; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Radiating antenna, earthing cable, USB charger/cable and storage box. |
|
|
100 MHz-18 GHz at 3 m |
100 MHz |
RE |
C/CF: 50-ohm SMA female output; R/RF: attached radiator configuration. Rechargeable battery; approximately 7-8 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. F versions are optimized for flatter response. |
C/CF versions include a disc antenna; R/RF versions include the attached radiator. All include a USB charger/cable and a wooden storage box. |
|
|
1-18 GHz at 3 m |
250 MHz |
RE |
C/CF: 50-ohm SMA female output; R/RF: attached radiator. Rechargeable battery; approx. 8 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. “F” versions are optimized for flatter response. |
C/CF versions include disc antenna R/RF versions include attached radiator. All include USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
250 MHz-40 GHz at 1 m; 1-26.5 GHz at 3 m |
250 MHz |
RE |
C version output: 50-ohm 2.92 mm female; R version has attached radiator. Rechargeable battery; approx. 8 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
C version includes disc antenna; R version includes attached radiator. All include USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
1-40 GHz at 3 m |
1 GHz |
RE |
C version output: 50-ohm 2.92 mm female; R version has attached radiator. Rechargeable battery; approx. 6 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
C version includes disc antenna; R version includes attached radiator. All include USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
Band 1: 20 Hz-10 kHz; Band 2: 10 kHz-1 MHz; Band 3: 1-30 MHz |
20 Hz / 10 kHz / 500 kHz by band |
Low-frequency and CE Current Clamp Checks |
Output: 50-ohm N female; three selectable operating bands; rechargeable battery. |
USB cable, charger and storage box. |
|
|
50 kHz-30 MHz for CISPR 16 LISN/ISN; to 108 MHz for CISPR 25 LISN |
50 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
CE |
Outputs: IEC 320 C14, RJ11 and RJ45; high-impedance connection for AC/DC line applications; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
50 kHz-30 MHz |
50 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
CE through LISN and loop-antenna checks |
Output: 50-ohm N female; configured for LISN and loop-antenna verification; rechargeable battery. |
Loop antenna /LISN connection accessories, USB charger/cable and storage box. |
|
|
ML CE: 50 kHz-108 MHz; ML/MLA RE: 50 kHz-30 MHz |
50 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
Automotive CE and/or monopole/loop RE |
CG50/500ML: BNC female output for LISN/monopole applications. CG50/500MLA: N female output for monopole and loop-antenna applications; rechargeable battery. |
Model-specific monopole and/or loop-antenna connection accessories, charger/cable and storage box. |
|
|
50 kHz-30 MHz |
50 kHz / 500 kHz selectable |
RE - monopole antenna verification |
Output: BNC female to long monopole structure; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; approximately 300 x 300 x 1085 mm assembled. |
Long monopole antenna, USB charger and cable. |
|
|
CE: 50 kHz-30 MHz; RE: 5/10 MHz-1 GHz |
CE: 50 kHz / 500 kHz; RE: 5 MHz / 10 MHz selectable |
CE and RE |
Outputs: IEC 320 C14 and SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending SMA monopole, earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
CE: 50 kHz-30 MHz; RE: 10 MHz-7.5 GHz |
CE: 50 kHz / 500 kHz; RE: 10 MHz / 100 MHz selectable |
CE and RE |
Outputs: IEC 320 C14 and SMA female; rechargeable battery; approx. 16 h run time; approx. 10 h charge time; 120 x 82 x 85 mm. |
Extending antenna, earthing cable, USB charger/cable and wooden storage box. |
|
|
CE: 50 kHz-108 MHz; monopole RE: 50 kHz-30 MHz; RE: 30 MHz-1 GHz and 1-6 GHz |
CE/monopole: 50 kHz / 500 kHz; RE: 10 MHz below 1 GHz and 100 MHz above 1 GHz |
Automotive and commercial CE/RE |
LISN/automotive output plus SMA female high-frequency RE output; rechargeable battery; supports CISPR 16 and CISPR 25 verification paths. |
Monopole/high-frequency antenna accessories, charger/cable, earthing lead and storage case. |
Tekbox
|
Product |
Frequency |
Frequency Step |
Suggested Application |
Specifications |
Accessories |
|
|
Characterized 30 MHz-6 GHz |
25 MHz internal |
RE pre-compliance reference |
Integrated antenna; characterized radiated output; 9 V alkaline battery; approximately 80 x 61 x 27 mm. |
No external antenna or charger required; 9 V battery is the power source. |
|
|
Characterized 100 MHz-6 GHz |
100 MHz internal |
RE pre-compliance reference |
Integrated antenna; characterized radiated output; 9 V alkaline battery; approximately 80 x 61 x 27 mm. |
No external antenna or charger required; 9 V battery is the power source. |
|
TBCG2 |
1 MHz-2.5 GHz |
External input, 1-350 MHz |
General purpose / frequency multiplier |
Passive comb generator and frequency multiplier; external excitation only; no internal power source. |
No standard powered accessory required; external signal source and RF interconnects are user supplied. |
|
|
5 kHz-2 GHz |
Internal: 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 or 10 MHz; external: 5 kHz-300 MHz |
CE setup verification |
50-ohm output; external comb-frequency input; powered by four AA NiMH cells. Designed for connection to the unpowered EUT port of a LISN. |
External universal charger and country-specific LISN/EUT adapter cables. |
|
|
5 kHz-2 GHz |
Internal: 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 MHz; external: 5 kHz-200 MHz |
RE setup verification |
50-ohm N-female output; external comb-frequency input; powered by six AA NiMH cells; characterized radiated response with supplied monopoles. |
Two monopole antennas and external universal charger. |
|
|
5 kHz-6 GHz |
Internal: 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 MHz; external: 5 kHz-200 MHz |
RE setup verification |
50-ohm N-female output; external comb-frequency input; powered by six AA NiMH cells; characterized radiated response with supplied monopoles. |
Two monopole antennas and external universal charger. |
|
TBCG4 |
5 MHz-1 GHz |
5, 10 or 20 MHz selectable |
General-purpose conducted source |
USB-powered compact comb generator; fixed internal comb frequencies; coaxial output. |
USB-A to USB-C cable. |
|
TBCG5 |
50 MHz-3 GHz |
50, 100 or 200 MHz selectable |
General-purpose higher-frequency source |
USB-powered compact comb generator; fixed internal comb frequencies; coaxial output. |
USB-A to USB-C cable. |
Schwarzbeck Mess-Elektronik
|
Product |
Frequency |
Frequency Step |
Suggested Application |
Specifications |
Accessories |
|
|
Nominal field-source range 100 Hz-1 GHz; generator spectrum extends lower |
100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz or 1 MHz pulse frequency |
CE/RE, receiver checks and site comparison |
Output: N female; battery powered; approx. 10 h run time; 200 x 69 x 67 mm. Pulse-rate selection trades line density against received level. |
Comb generator only. Pair with broadband antenna or LISN calibration adapters. ACS 110 charger required; 10 dB attenuator suggested with high VSWR. |
|
|
Usable 10 MHz-8 GHz; nominal high-performance region above 1 GHz |
10 MHz or 100 MHz |
RE |
Output: N female; approx. 8 h run time; 200 x 69 x 67 mm; battery powered. |
Comb generator only. External broadband antenna required; ACS 110 charger required; 10 dB attenuator suggested with high VSWR. |
|
|
100 MHz-18 GHz |
100 MHz, with minor frequency adjustment |
RE |
Output: SMA female; battery powered; approx. 8 h run time; approximately 150 x 80 x 130 mm; USB charging. |
External broadband biconical/log-periodic/horn antenna as appropriate. 10 dB attenuator suggested with high VSWR. |
Seibersdorf Laboratories
|
Product |
Frequency |
Frequency Step |
Suggested Application |
Specifications |
Accessories |
|
|
10 kHz to above 3 GHz |
10 kHz, 1 MHz and 5 MHz operating modes |
CE and RE; system checks and inter-laboratory comparison |
Output: N female; integrated antenna element options; approx. 6 h run time; approximately 135 mm diameter x 255 mm. |
Configuration dependent: conical antenna, transportation case, Optional: LISN adapters, and horizontal holder |
|
|
1-18 GHz |
50 MHz from 1-4 GHz; 100 MHz from 4-8 GHz; 200 MHz from 8-18 GHz |
RE; high-frequency system checks and inter-laboratory comparison |
Synthesized sequential reference source, not a simultaneous traditional comb; integrated directional antenna plus coaxial output; HI/LO levels; temperature compensated; Li-ion battery, approx. 8 h; USB-C charging. |
Transportation case, accredited calibration and operating documentation; mast/tripod holders and ferrite-beaded cables available. |
Final selection advice
There is no single best comb generator for every laboratory. A safe LISN verification source, a characterized low-cost pre-compliance radiator and a calibrated 40 GHz chamber reference solve different problems. Absolute EMC can recommend the appropriate configuration after reviewing the test method, frequency range, spacing, distance, output connection, antenna arrangement and calibration expectations.
