UHFLI Key Features
- 600 MHz operation frequency
- 2 independent lock-in units
- 2 high-performance signal generators
- 4 independent harmonics per lock-in unit
- High-resolution 12-bit scope with 65k samples
- Frequency Response Analyzer (FRA)
- FFT Spectrum Analyzer
- LabOne toolset (Windows and Linux)
UHFLI Resources
UHFLI Overview Video

UHFLI Applications
- Engineering R&D: Oscillator testing, FFT Spectrum Analyzer, Frequency Response Analyzer (FRA), Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)
- Industrial production: Chip Testing, Failure Analysis, RFID transmission demodulator, Laser Voltage Prober (LVP), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- Laser spectroscopy, confocal microscopy: ultra-high speed scanning, THz spectroscopy
- Medtech: flow cytometry, electrical impedance spectroscopy
- Quantum & Nano physics: MRFM, single electron transistors, quantum computing, noise measurement, graphene
- Scanning probe microscopy: high-speed AFM, scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM)
- Sensors & Actuators: MEMS, NEMS (e.g. gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.)
UHFLI Available Options
UHFLI Available Bundles
UHFLI Functional Diagram
The 2 Signal Inputs and 2 Signal Outputs effectively provide 2 lock-in amplifiers in one instrument. Each lock-in amplifier unit comprises 4 dual-phase demodulators which simultaneously provide X, Y, R and Θ.
High-precision Signal Inputs
The 2 signal inputs of the UHFLI provide excellent noise specifications and operate in single-ended mode. Input coupling is selectable between high impedance and 50 Ω, suiting both low-frequency and high-speed applications. For external reference mode and precise triggering on external events, the UHFLI comes with additional 2 input and 2 bidirectional connectors. Dual internal and dual-auto reference modes are also supported.
Signal Generators
The UHFLI generates 2 low-distortion sinusoid outputs ideal for driving the device under test or most modulating devices. The UHF-MF Multi-frequency option provides 6 additional oscillators and enables the generation of a linear combination of up to 8 sinusoids. Additional connectors on the front panel provide the demodulated amplitude, phase, or quadrature signals, square wave references, or trigger signals for external hardware.
Demodulators and Filters
The UHFLI comes with 8 dual-phase demodulators for simultaneous measurement at 4 harmonic frequencies per signal input. Each demodulator has individually configurable filter parameters. The measured amplitude and phase data after demodulation are streamed in real-time to the host computer.
Triggers
A reference and trigger network provides high-performance operation: reference input and output work at a bandwidth of 600 MHz, trigger input and output feature reaction times down to 100 ns. The UHFLI is the first lock-in amplifier with dedicated hardware and software trigger functionalities. Hardware triggers enable quick reaction to physical conditions, whereas software triggers provide an infrastructure to define complex trigger criteria. Triggers are used to output demodulated samples at specific points in time, or to synchronize actions between several functional domains inside the UHFLI.
Arithmetic Unit
The Arithmetic Unit enables fast computation on a multitude of measurement data. This processor features addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of all data that are available on the auxiliary outputs. Applications include balanced detection, normalization by a reference, or dual-frequency resonance tracking.
UHFLI Specifications
Lock-in Operating Modes | |
internal reference mode | single and dual lock-in |
external reference mode | single and dual lock-in |
auto reference mode | single and dual lock-in |
triple-harmonic mode | 1 fundamental + 3 harmonics (simultaneous) |
multi-harmonic mode | 1 fundamental + 7 harmonics (simultaneous), requires UHF-MF option |
arbitrary frequency mode | 8 frequencies, requires UHF-MF option |
UHF Signal Inputs | |
frequency range | DC - 600 MHz |
input impedance | 50 Ω or 1 MΩ || 18 pF |
input voltage noise | 4 nV/√Hz above 100 kHz |
dynamic reserve | 100 dB |
input range (AC+DC) | ±3.5 V |
input full range sensitivity | 1 nV to 1.5 V |
A/D conversion | 12 bit, 1.8 GSa/s |
UHF Signal Outputs | |
frequency range | DC - 600 MHz |
output ranges | ±150 mV, ±1.5 V (high-impedance load) -12.5 dBm, 7.5 dBm (50 Ω load) |
D/A conversion | 14 bit, 1.8 GSa/s |
Reference & Nanosecond Triggers | |
frequency range | 10 Hz - 600 MHz (external reference) |
connectors | 2 bidirectional, 2 output, 2 input |
reference frequency resolution | 6 µHz |
reference phase angle resolution | 1.0 µ° |
Demodulators | |
frequency range | 1 mHz - 600 MHz |
number of demodulators | 8 dual-phase |
output sample rate on LAN | 2 MSa/s (total all demodulators), 64-bit full range |
output sample rate on USB | 100 kSa/s (total all demodulators), 64-bit full range |
output sample rate on Aux outputs | 28 MSa/s (for each auxiliary output), 16 bit |
filter time constant | 30 ns - 76 s |
filter bandwidth | 80 µHz - 5 MHz |
filter slope | 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 dB/Oct |
Scope | |
Input channels | Signal Inputs,Trigger Inputs, Auxiliary Inputs, Demodulator Oscillator Phase, Demodulator X/Y/R/Theta, PID, Boxcar, AU; certain signals only if options installed |
Scope modes | Time domain, frequency domain (FFT) |
Number of display channels | 1; 2 requires UHF-DIG option |
Trigger channels | Signal Inputs, Signal Outputs, Oscillator Phases, DIOs |
Trigger modes | Edge |
Sampling rates | 28 kSa/s to 1.8 GSa/s |
Vertical resolution | 12 bit |
Maximum number of samples per shot | 64 kSa; 128 MSa, requires UHF-DIG option |
Bandwidth limit mode, vertical resolution increase | sample decimation, averaging |
Cursor math | Location, Area, Wave, Peak, Tracking, Histogram |
Spectrum Analyzer | |
Center frequency range | 0 to 600 MHz |
Spectrum modes | FFT(X+iY), FFT(R), FFT(Θ), FFT(f) and FFT((dΘ/dt)/2π) |
Statistical options | Amplitude, Spectral density, Power |
Averaging modes | None, Exponential moving average |
Maximum number of samples per spectrum | 8.4 MSa |
Maximum span | 800 kHz |
Window functions | Rectangular, Hann, Hamming, Blackman Harris |
Cursor math | Location, Area, Wave, Peak, Tracking, Histogram |
Sweeper | |
Scan parameters | Oscillator frequency, Demodulator phase shift, Auxiliary Offset, Signal Output Amplitudes, Signal Output Offset, PID Setpoint, Boxcar delay and time; certain parameters only if options installed |
Parameter sweep ranges | Full range, Linear and Logarithmic |
Parameter sweep resolution | Arbitrary, defined by start/stop value and number of sweep points |
Display parameters | Demodulator Output (X, Y, R, Θ, f), Auxiliary Input |
Display options | Single Plot, Dual Plot (e.g. Bode Plot), Multi-trace |
Statistical options | Amplitude, Spectral density, Power |
Preset measurement modes | Parameter sweep, Noise amplitude measurement, Frequency response analyzer, 3-Omega-Sweep |
Auxiliary Signals | |
high-speed outputs | 4 channels, ±10 V, R, Θ, X, Y, or user defined |
D/A converter | 16 bit, 28 MSa/s |
D/A analog bandwidth | 7 MHz |
high-speed inputs | 2 channels, ±10 V |
A/D converter | 16 bit, 400 kSa/s |
A/D analog bandwidth | 100 kHz |
Connectivity & Others | |
host connection | LAN / Ethernet, 1 Gbit/s USB 2.0 high-speed, 480 Mbit/s |
pre-amplifier control bus | 2 ZCtrl (RJ45 connectors) proprietary peripheral interface |
digital I/O | 32 bit, 50 MHz, general purpose |
clock | 10 MHz, input and output, ultra-high stable ovenized oscillator (OCXO) 0.5 ppm deviation (0.00005 ppm with UHF-RUB option) |
General | |
dimensions | 45 x 35 x 10 cm 17.7 x 13.6 x 3.9 inch, suited for 19 inch rack |
weight | 6.4 kg |
power supply AC line | 100-240 V (±10%), 50/60 Hz |
operating temperature | +5 °C to +40 °C |
operating environment | IEC61010, indoor location, installation category II, pollution degree 2 |
operating altitude | up to 2000 meters |
signal connectors | BNC on front panel, SMA on back panel |
PC operating systems | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux |