USB-controlled true RMS RF power meter

The 6-GHz NI USB-5680 true-RMS power meter features high measurement accuracy and wide dynamic range packaged in a size similar to a typical power head. In automated test applications, the small size frees up rack space without sacrificing performance. Powered solely from the USB cable, the new power meter consumes only 100 mA of current.

Traditional power meters feature a power sensor or head located close to the unit under test and connect via cable to an accurate analog-to-digital converter (ADC) located in conventional instrumentation housing. In contrast, the USB-5680 combines both the sensor and the ADC in one package occupying less than 9.6 in³. The USB-5680 connects directly to an available USB port on any PC or PXI controller. Features include an 8.5x3.0x5.6-cm size, a 50-MHz to 6-GHz frequency range, a 63-dB dynamic range, and a ±0.18-dB amplitude accuracy.

The USB-5680 comes with a full-featured, executable soft front panel and easy-to-use software libraries to help engineers set up their systems. Engineers who need to measure continuous wave RF signals up to 6 GHz can use the USB-5680 in a stand-alone configuration with a VXIplug&play-compatible executable soft front panel to facilitate interactive control. To incorporate the USB-5680 in an automated test and measurement system, engineers can use the application programming interface (API) with their programming environments of choice, including NI LabView and LabWindows/CVI and the Microsoft .NET environment.

Base price: $2499. National Instruments, www.ni.com.