News Briefs

Agilent Technologies has introduced its 10-MHz to 26.5-GHz PNA-X microwave network analyzer, which features an integrated second source and signal-combining network. Configurable as a two- or four-port analyzer, the PNA-X employs a new signal-routing architecture that transforms it from a pure network analyzer to an RF measurement hub.

The PNA-X’s feature set, said Agilent product marketing engineer Chad Gillease, enables engineers to make high-speed measurements on amplifiers and frequency converters without requiring complex multi-instrument setups. For example, he said, the analyzer’s integrated second source can generate a fast fixed-IF or swept-LO signal for testing mixers, improving measurement speed up to 35 times, compared with using a traditional external source. In addition, he said, the PNA-X’s internal pulse modulators and generators enable users to make pulsed-S-parameter measurements up to 30 times faster than would be possible with analyzers that require external generators and modulators.

Gillease described several specific applications, including a two-port two-tone amplifier intermodulation-distortion measurement, a four-port scalar mixer/converter measurement, and a four-port vector mixer/converter measurement.

Specification details at 24 GHz include +16-dBm power levels, –59-dBc harmonics, and 40-dB power-sweep range for the two internal signal sources. Dynamic range is better than 130 dB at 24 GHz, and the 0.1-dB receiver-compression value is 12 dBm at 20 GHz. Base price: $92,000. www.agilent.com.

The VITA Standards Organization (VSO) and the Software Defined Radio Forum (SDR Forum) have announced plans to collaborate on software-defined radio (SDR) specification activities underway at each organization. The initial focus of the relationship will be in the area of Digital Intermediate Frequency (DigitalIF) data transport. DigitalIF defines the signal and control data that is passed between the radio frequency (RF) subsystem and the baseband signal processing subsystem of an SDR.

VITA is developing the VITA 49 standard, which defines this data transport and allows manufacturers of these two types of subsystems to use a common data transport protocol, thereby simplifying integration and facilitating interoperability. The SDR Forum’s System Interface Working Group (SIWG) is also looking at DigitalIF, with a goal of defining the requirements for a common set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that can later be standardized.

Collaboration between the SDR Forum and VITA ensures that the APIs will fully support the VITA 49 standard and provides a venue for VITA members to influence the API requirements. The SDR Forum is also examining the DigitalIF standards used by other industry associations operating in adjacent markets. This will ensure a robust API that fully addresses the needs of both VITA and SDR Forum members.

“VME technology played an early role in the development of software-defined radios,” stated Ray Alderman, executive director of VITA. “VITA members quickly saw the need for a standard method to transport DigitalIF data over the various Gigabit-class data connections. The VITA 49 Working Group was established to address this need.” SDRs are used in defense, public safety and security, and commercial applications such as RFID readers. www.vita.com; www.sdrforum.org.

Audio Precision, maker of audio test equipment, has received accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for its calibration lab located in AP's Beaverton, OR, headquarters. All 2700 Series, ATS-2, and APx585 audio analyzers ordered from the company will now be calibrated before shipping.

Customers who purchased their audio analyzers before the new calibration procedure went into effect can send their equipment to Beaverton for calibration. Audio Precision will also calibrate any instrument sent in for valid warranty service within one year of purchase. www.ap.com.

LabWindows/CVI, the C-based application-development package from National Instruments, adds the ability to share data over networks without TCP/IP programming. Version 8.1 adds a “network variable” that lets computers share data in the same way that global variables let code modules share data within an application. Thus, you can use a PC to monitor a test system over any network. The network variable is identical to the shared variable feature in LabView 8.0 and 8.2.

To make use of the network variable, a test-system controller PC must have an application written in LabWindows/CVI 8.1, and it needs the network variable engine installed. Remote-monitoring PCs need to use the LabWindows/CVI 8.1 run-time engine to gain access to the data in network variables. The version 8.1 run-time engine is backward compatible with applications written in previous versions of LabWindows/CVI, although applications written in previous versions don’t support the new variable.

Base price: $1199. National Instruments, www.ni.com/cvi.

Anritsu has expanded its Spectrum Master product line with the introduction of its MS2724B portable spectrum analyzer, which operates from 9 kHz to 20 GHz. In addition, the company has introduced its MS2721B and MS2723B versions, which offer frequency coverage up to 7.1 GHz and 13 GHz, respectively.

The MS2724B offers a low phase noise (typically –104 dBc/Hz at a 10-kHz offset from 2 GHz) and a 1-Hz to 3-MHz resolution bandwidth (RBW) range. The MS2721B has phase noise of –100 dBc/Hz at a 10-kHz offset up to 7.1 GHz, and the MS2723B has typical phase noise of –104 dBc/Hz at a 10-kHz offset at 2 GHz. The RBW range of these units is 1 Hz to 3 MHz, as well.

These three models are the first in the Spectrum Master family to feature a quasi-peak detector and CISPR-defined bandwidths for EMC precompliance testing. In addition, the MS2721B can be equipped with a tracking generator that provides calibrated output from 400 kHz to 7.1 GHz with a power range of 0 to –40 dBm in 0.1-dB steps. The MS2721B has typical displayed average noise ratio (DANL) of –163 dBm at 1 GHz in a 1-Hz bandwidth; the MS2723B and MS2724B deliver a DANL of –156 dBm at 1 GHz (1 Hz RBW) with the preamplifier on and –139 dBm with it off.

All three models also have a standard built-in AM/FM/SSB demodulator and built-in preamplifier. The instruments provide more than 2 hr of battery life.

Base prices: $13,950 to $20,950. Anritsu, www.us.anritsu.com.

OFC/NFOEC, March 25–29, Los Angeles, CA. Sponsored by Optical Society of America, IEEE, and Telcordia. www.ofcnfoec.org.

SAE, April 16–19, Detroit, MI. Sponsored by Society of Automotive Engineers. www.sae.org/congress.

International Microwave Symposium, June 3–8, Honolulu, HI. Sponsored by IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S). www.ims2007.org/.

To learn about other conferences, courses, and calls for papers, visit www.tmworld.com/events.