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Eliminate Fixture Effects On Device Measurements
Increased accuracy has been an objective of the earliest vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements. By means of calibration and vectorerror- correction techniques, the accuracy of a VNA can be extended from the instrument ports to the ends of the test cables. When the device under test (DUT) connects directly to the test port cables, the calibration plane and the measurement plane are one and the same. In this case, calibration and error ... — David Ballo , et al.
May 2008
Modular Approach Provides Fast And Easy Prototyping
Prototype development of RF and microwave designs can be tedious, requiring weeks or even months of engineering and construction time. For those who seek a faster, easier approach to the prototyping of new RF and microwave designs, however, MicroWaveCells (www.microwavecells.com) offers a new and innovative approach to building high-frequency circuit functions, subsystems, and complete systems in hours and days,... — Jenny Jiayan Shen
April 2008
Low-Jitter Modules Generate Clock Signals To 40 Gb/s
Billions of cellular telephones and their users worldwide are driving demands for faster communications networks. Optical communications systems support long-distance services and serve as the backhaul communications for wireless networks. At one time, optical communications systems operating at 10 Gb/s (OC-192) may have seemed adequate but, with growing voice, data, and video traffic, optical communications networks carrying data rates of 40 Gb/s ... — A.P.S. (Paul) Khanna
April 2008
VCO Source Programs Arbitrary Waveforms
Frequency agility is a key requirement for a variety of military systems, including electronic warfare (EW), electronic countermeasures (ECM), secure communications, and electronic intelligence platforms. For these systems, conflicting requirements in technical performance, power management, packaging, and environmental survivability often give rise to interesting and innovative designs. The engineers at Narda Microwave-East resolved these conflicts... — Neil Heft , et al.
April 2008
Field Operations Kit Aids High-Power Testing
High-power attenuators are often used to decrease the power level from a base station or communications tower when making measurements with a spectrum analyzer or portable communications instrument. Test instruments are usually only rated for input power levels approaching 1 W (+30 dBm) at most, and power levels from wireless communications transmitters can easily exceed 100 W. Unfortunately, the attenuation value of a high-frequency fixed... — Jack Browne
April 2008
Broadcast Signal Generator Integrates Test Functions
Broadcast television equipment production testing usually requires a trio of tools: a signal generator, modulator, and high-power amplifier for distributing test signals throughout a manufacturing facility. They combine to evaluate televisions, set-top boxes, and other broadcast products in accordance with a specific standard or standards at multiple frequencies and with different waveforms. To simplify matters, the R&S SFE100 broadcast signal... — Jack Browne
April 2008
OTA Testing Evaluates Mobile-Device Performance
OTA Testing Evaluates Mobile-Device Performance To more accurately predict the real-world performance of a mobile device, both standards organizations and network providers are increasingly turning to over-the-air (OTA) testing. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), for example, has defined the methods and set the standards for performing OTA testing. In a four-page white paper, RFMD (... — Nancy Friedrich
March
Noise Source Promises +/-0.25 dB Flatness Over 10 kHz To 3 GHz
Noise Source Promises +/-0.25 dB Flatness Over 10 kHz to 3 GHz To reduce measurement uncertainty in broadband applications, a coaxial noise source features typical flatness of +/-0.25 dB over the entire frequency range of 10 kHz to 3 GHz. The NW3G-CS comes with calibrated, cardinal excess-noise-ratio (ENR) frequencies. The noise source is available in 15 and 30 dB ENRs. Standard operation is from +28 VDC with a 20-mA maximum current draw. The... — Nancy Friedrich
March
12-Port VNA Characterizes Crosstalk On High-Speed Lines
This 12-port vector network analyzer and novel multiport calibration algorithm combine for signal-integrity analysis on transmission lines and devices at multi-Gigabit speeds. Harry Momjian Marketing Manager Anritsu Co., 490 Jarvis Dr., Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809; (408) 778-2000, FAX: (408) 776-1744, E-mail: harry.momjian@anritsu.com, Internet: ... — Harry Momjian
March
VNA Extends Four-Port Measurements To 50 GHz
VNA Extends Four-Port Measurements to 50 GHz Yassen Mikhailov Product Manager, Network Analyzers Rohde & Schwarz, 8661A Robert Fulton Dr., Columbia, MD 21046-2265; (410) 910-7800, FAX: (410) 910-7801, e-mail: info@rsa.rohde-schwarz.com, Internet: www.rohde-schwarz.com. This instrument brings high performance and four independent test... — Yassen Mikhailov
March 3, 2008
MECA's Kit Ease Field Power Measurements
— Jack Browne
February
RF Power Calibration Aids Wireless Transmitters
Wireless transmitters can benefit from measurement and control of RF power. Because of such factors as regulatory requirements and the need to co-exist with other wireless networks, the RF power levels of wireless transmitter high-power amplifiers (HPAs) must be monitored and controlled. The precision and accuracy of these measurements can result in improved transmitter spectral performance as well as significant savings in operating cost for an... — Eamon Nash
February
Assemble High-Power Attenuator Systems
High-power signal processing and testing requires the use of highfrequency attenuators designed to handle large signals without damage or performance degradation. Especially when working with signals exceeding 1 kW, as common in commercial broadcast and military radar systems, reliable attenuators are critical to any test system. Most attenuators on the market rely on thick or thin film resistive designs screen printed or deposited on a flat... — Dave Distler
February
Converter Eases Multiport Testing From 75 To 110 GHz
Characterizing multiport devices with a vector network analyzer (VNA) in the 75-to-110-GHz range has always been performed using an external frequency converter that increases the usable frequency range of the VNA. Such converters are invariably offered as options by VNA manufacturers and, while they generally offer adequate frequency coverage through millimeter-wave frequencies, are often limited in terms of test signal power and dynamic range.... — Yassen Mikhailov
February
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Capture 8 GHz
Wireless technology is acquiring a digital nature, due to the increasing use of digital modulation formats as a way to increase spectral efficiency. Traditional test instruments served as excellent tools for analyzing analog transmissions. But with the growing number of digitally modulated wireless signals, different measurement tools are needed. Tektronix (www.tek.com) has offered its RSA3000B series of... — Jack Browne
January 2008
Where Is Test Equipment Going?
This first issue of 2008 is a chance to take a fresh look at one’s life, job and industry. And with an issue theme of “Test & Measurement,” it is only appropriate to try and size up developments in RF/microwave measurement equipment and what to expect from test gear manufacturers in the next few years. “If you can’t test it, you can’t ship it,” is a time-honored adage in this industry, one that emphasizes the importance of maintaining the highest possible... — Jack Browne
January 2008
Configure An RF ATE System
These basic guidelines help in the selection of the test instruments and software needed to assemble an effective RF and microwave automated test equipment (ATE) system. DENIS GABLE Director of Frequency Synthesizer Engineering Wide Band Systems, Inc., 389 Franklin Ave., P. O. Box 289, Rockaway, NJ 07866; (973) 586-6500, FAX: (973) 627-9190, e-mail: dgable@widebandsystems.com, Internet: ... — Denis Gable
January 2008
Determine Twisted-Line Characteristic Impedance
This approach shows how to calculate and measure the characteristic impedance of balanced twisted bifilar transmission lines using a commercial vector network analyzer. ANTONIO ALVES FERREIRA JUNIOR Electronic and Electrotechnical Department National Telecommunications Institute (INATEL), 510 João de Camargo Ave. 37540-000, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil; e-mail: ... — Antonio Alves Ferreira, Jr. , et al.
January 2008
Power Meters Make Connections Via USB
For many applications, USB-enabled RF/microwave power meters can provide all the measurement capability and increased flexibility compared to conventional instruments. Craig Allardice Systems Consultant, Satori Technology Ltd. e-mail: craig.allardice@satori-technology.com Tony Lymer Principal Engineer Satori Technology Ltd., 1 Biggar Business Park, Market ... — Craig Allardice , et al.
January 2008
Tracking Advances In Probing Mixed-Mode RF Circuitry
Refinements in both the measurement probes and the calibration standard structures used with them makes it possible to perform more accurate microwave VNA S-parameter measurements on differential devices. Larry Dangremond Senior Product Manager For Probes and Signals Cascade Microtech, Inc., 2430 NW 206th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97006; (503) 601-1000, FAX: (503) 601-1002, Internet: ... — Larry Dangremond
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