VNA covers single sweep NF measurements over 70 kHz to 125 GHz, extends coverage to 750 GHz
An example of Anritsu’s technical leadership is embodied in the receiver used to perform industry-first VNA-based noise figure measurements at 125 GHz. It incorporates a unique design focusing on improved noise performance and reduced sensitivity to source impedance. The result is a robust capability to make high quality microwave and millimeter-wave noise figure measurements on a wide variety of active devices.
For less experienced test engineers, configuring a noise figure test setup can be particularly challenging, as is often necessary to add pre-amplification and filtering in front of the measurement receiver to ensure sufficient sensitivity to make a quality measurement. If too little amplification is used, there may be excessive jitter from the instrument A/D converter. If too much power or amplification is applied, compression can impact the measurements.
These two constraints form the effective noise figure measurement range and can limit the flexibility a user has in choosing pre-amps and filters. The MS4640A-041 option takes advantage of the high-performance VectorStar architecture to provide a wider noise figure measurement range and greater configuration flexibility. In addition, the use of a simple, low-cost termination is possible, rather than a specialized noise source, as part of the cold source noise figure measurement method. These advantages result in an easier to use, more flexible test system.
The VectorStar series already includes features such as a unique gain compression capability where a user can display gain compression at up to 401 frequencies to characterize performance over a DUT’s operating bandwidth in one step. If there is a need to perform active device testing at the wafer level, the VectorStar platform can utilize active and passive tuning of source and load impedances to help account for both fundamental and harmonic content ensuring optimum DUT performance during test.
4-port measurement to 110 GHz
The VectorStar ME7838A broadband VNA platform now also offers 4-port measurement capability, bringing the inherent advantages of the VectorStar platform to 4-port and differential millimeter-wave (mm-wave) component development. Featuring best-in-class stability and power level control, as well as frequency coverage of 70 kHz to 110 GHz in a compact design, the ME7838A offers R&D engineers a highly accurate test tool that reduces measurement times, controls cost-of-test, and helps improve time to market.
The ME7838A broadband VNA system utilizes an advanced design that eliminates the need for large, heavy mm-wave modules and coax combiners. This design allows the ME7838A to be mounted on a smaller probe station using standard positioners. Direct connections to the probes can be achieved in a 2 port configuration due to the design, further reducing space requirements, while eliminating high-frequency cable loss and improving the system’s raw directivity. In a 4 port system the compact size of the mm-wave modules means short RF cables can be used to provide best available dynamic range and performance. Because of this, the ME7838A delivers industry-best stability and longer measurement cycles between calibrations.
The system configuration includes the MS4640A VectorStar and 3739A test set, which operates the mm-wave modules. In addition to claiming the widest broadband frequency coverage, the ME7838A system also claims best-in-class RF performance, due to a real-time power leveling control that provides the best power accuracy and stability to power levels as low as -55 dBm. The system has industry-best dynamic range of 108 dB at 65 GHz and 107 dB at 110 GHz, and the fastest measurement speed of 55 ms for 201 points at 10 kHz IFBW.
Millimeter-ranges to 750 GHz.
A 4-port configuration for the ME7838A VectorStar VNA extends the measurement system’s capability to 750 GHz and higher. Incorporating a number of design features that result in high performance, the ME7838A provides R&D engineers designing 4-port or differential millimeter-wave (mm-wave) components with the ability to sweep power across a wide range at frequencies up to 750 GHz using external mm-wave modules without the need for manual attenuators.
The VectorStar ME7838A mm-wave VNA system offers real-time power leveling and high stability with wide power level control. It detects IF and RF power and provides correction to the mm-wave power in real time and without the need for software correction feedback. The method delivers stable mm-wave power even at low levels and reduces the risk of overdriving power-sensitive mm-wave devices – inherent in other systems. Faster power calibrations are also achieved with the ME7838A VectorStar, compared to competitive mm-wave VNAs, helping to reduce test time and cost of test.
A 2-port system configuration includes the MS4640A VectorStar and 3739A/SM6522 test set, which operates mm-wave modules.
The VNA system can accurately test 4-port components, as well as differential devices, such as amplifiers used in e-band communications, automotive collision avoidance, airport radar, materials measurement, and imaging systems.
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